Condo kitchens with no outside vent
In a Mount Prospect condo, venting outside usually depends on an existing duct and the association's rules. We check with management and install recirculating when needed.
Serving Mount Prospect & nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights
Microwave Installation in Mount Prospect, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Mount Prospect: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Serving Mount Prospect ZIP 60056, 60005
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Microwave installs we take on in Mount Prospect
An over-the-range microwave is heavy, hangs in front of a hot cooktop and doubles as the exhaust fan, so how it's hung matters. In Mount Prospect we fasten the wall plate into studs, bolt the top through the cabinet, set the blower for your vent path and check the outlet before the unit goes up.
Duct that doesn't line up with the new unit
If the duct is undersized, crushed or blocked, we tell you before install so the fan isn't pushing against a dead end.
Should it vent outside or recirculate?
Microwaves ship ready for outside venting or recirculation, and the blower often has to be rotated for your setup. We match it to the duct you have.
Over-the-range microwave replacing a range hood
When the old range hood comes down, we cap its wiring, have a plug-in outlet put in the cabinet above and connect the microwave's exhaust to the existing vent where it lines up.
Microwave that sags, wobbles or pulls away from the wall
Gaps behind a microwave or a door that drops when opened usually mean the original install missed the studs. We take it down and fasten it properly.
Cabinet above that's the wrong width or depth
Some cabinets over the range are too deep or have a recessed bottom. We shim or modify them so the top bolts pull the unit snug and level.
Microwave drawer in an island or base cabinet
Drawer models need an exact opening, support underneath and a receptacle where the drawer won't hit it. We set all three before sliding the unit in.
Microwave above a pro-style or high-output range
Some makers don't allow an over-the-range microwave above high-output gas burners, and a microwave fan moves less air than a hood. We check the range's guide first.
Included with the install
- Pre-install checkMeasurements, power and venting are checked against the installation instructions.
- Old unit or hood removedThe old microwave or range hood is taken down, its wiring made safe and the bracket removed.
- Outlet and circuitA receptacle in the cabinet above or behind the drawer, on a dedicated circuit when the maker calls for one, added by a licensed electrician.
- Studs located and wall plate mountedThe mounting plate is leveled and screwed into studs per the template.
- Cabinet drilled to the templateThe upper cabinet is marked and drilled so the bolts and cord line up.
- Drawer and built-in cutoutsCutouts framed for drawer and trim-kit models so they sit flush.
- Testing and haul-awayWe run the microwave, the fan at each speed and the light, then take the old unit and packaging away.
Models, parts and fittings
Convection and air-fry combosMicrowaves that also bake, crisp or air-fry, available in over-the-range and built-in styles.
Over-the-range microwavesThe most common type: a microwave and a vent fan in one unit over the cooktop.
Microwave drawersUnder-counter microwaves that open like a drawer, often in an island.
Venting partsDamper, duct transitions, charcoal filters and wall or roof caps.
Low-profile over-the-range modelsShorter units that leave more room above the burners where cabinets are low.
Before and after: kitchens near Mount Prospect
Before
Installed
DetailMount Prospect kitchen, townhouse from the 1990s: microwave installation
The site: a townhouse from the 1990s in Mount Prospect. The kitchen as it was: white appliances. What bothered the owners most: a weak hood and a microwave stuck on the counter. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant old unit or hood removed, cabinet drilled to the template, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: microwave installation
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Des Plaines, a typical kitchen for Des Plaines. What we started with: white appliances. What bothered the owners most: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant outlet and circuit, drawer and built-in cutouts, plus testing and haul-away.
Microwave Installation in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: microwave installation
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances. The reason for the call: an old range hood that barely moved any air. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered old unit or hood removed, outlet and circuit, plus testing and haul-away.
Microwave Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Mount Prospect
Finished: cabinets in white uppers and dusty blue lowers with matte black pulls, bright white quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterA Mount Prospect 1950s ranch: before and after
The same doors sprayed in pale sage, new polished nickel pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Mount Prospect →How the install goes
- Send the model and photosShare the model number and photos of the range wall, the cabinet above and the old unit.
- Fit and power checkWe confirm clearance, cabinet size, outlet and vent path, and list anything that must change first.
- Written estimateA clear written price with electrical or cabinet changes listed separately.
- Install and testOld unit down, new one mounted and vented, everything tested and the old microwave hauled off.
Microwave Installation questions from Mount Prospect homeowners
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside in a Mount Prospect condo?
Only where there's an existing exterior duct and the association allows it. Otherwise we install it to recirculate.
Do I need an electrician to install an over-the-range microwave?
Only when the power isn't ready. We check for the outlet and circuit before install day and arrange the wiring if needed.
What size over-the-range microwave fits my kitchen?
Standard models fit most ranges. Low cabinets or a wider pro range may call for a low-profile unit or a hood instead.
Can you install a microwave I bought at a big-box store or online?
Yes. We install microwaves from any retailer, whether or not they offered installation.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
Always into studs. We locate the framing before drilling.
Does microwave installation need a Mount Prospect building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services, phone (847) 870-5675. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do Mount Prospect condo associations need to approve microwave installation?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
What does Mount Prospect ask for on electrical work?
Electrical contractors need the Village contractor license and must submit their state license/registration. A licensed electrician is required in multi-family buildings (condos, townhomes, 3-flats). New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Can Mount Prospect bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Republic Services collects approved bulk items weekly at no charge. Appliances (white goods) cost an extra fee paid on pickup day. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Do I need a Mount Prospect-registered contractor for microwave installation?
A Contractor's License is required for general contractors (and listed trades); $200, valid one year, applied for through the online portal. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Mount Prospect?
It depends on the scope. Mount Prospect's rule in short: Kitchen remodels need a permit and a code review (about 10 business days). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services.
Do you work in my part of Mount Prospect?
Yes. Our crews work across Mount Prospect — ZIP 60056, 60005 — and nearby Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Mount Prospect
- A lot of Mount Prospect kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60056ZIP 60005
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Mount Prospect
Dishwasher InstallationOld unit out, new dishwasher connected, leveled and leak-tested.
Oven, Range & Cooktop InstallationGas and electric ranges, wall ovens and cooktops, safely connected.
Built-In Refrigerator InstallationBuilt-in and panel-ready fridges fitted flush, anchored and connected.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.