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.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Microwave Installation in Northbrook, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Northbrook: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Installers working in Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Microwave installs we take on in Northbrook
Lifting a microwave onto a wall plate is a two-person job, but the real work is around it: finding solid framing, drilling the cabinet to the template, routing the cord to an outlet above and lining up the duct. Our Northbrook installers handle all of it and haul the old unit away.
Moving the microwave off the counter
Many owners want the counter clear. We look at the range wall, the base cabinets and the wall cabinets to see where a mounted microwave fits best.
Not enough height above the range
Every maker lists a minimum distance from the cooktop to the bottom of the microwave. If the cabinet is too low, a low-profile model or a cabinet change may be the answer.
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.
Over-the-range microwave replacing a range hood
Trading a hood for a microwave means a new mounting plate, holes drilled through the cabinet bottom and a receptacle where the hood wire used to be. All three get done in one visit.
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.
Old microwave swap where the holes don't line up
Replacing one over-the-range microwave with another sounds like a straight swap, but the bracket and bolt pattern change between brands. We redo both so the new unit hangs tight.
Built-in microwave with a trim kit
A countertop model can look built in when it goes into a wall cabinet with the maker's trim kit. We cut or size the opening so the trim covers it cleanly.
What we hook up and check
- 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 mountedWe find the framing and fasten the bracket to solid wood.
- Cabinet drilled to the templateHoles for the top bolts, the power cord and a top vent cut through the cabinet bottom.
- Blower set and duct connectedWe orient the blower for your vent path and seal the connection to the duct.
- Testing and haul-awayHeating, exhaust and light tested, old appliance and boxes removed.
Options to choose from
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
Venting partsThe pieces that connect the microwave to the outside or set it up to recirculate.
Low-profile over-the-range modelsShorter units that leave more room above the burners where cabinets are low.
Microwave drawersDrawer units set in a base cabinet, reachable without lifting dishes overhead.
Over-the-range microwavesMicrowaves with a built-in exhaust fan and light that mount above the range.
Before and after: kitchens near Northbrook
Before
Installed
DetailNorthbrook kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: microwave installation
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial near Downtown Northbrook. What we started with: black appliances. The main complaint was an over-the-range unit that sagged off its bracket. The result: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered outlet and circuit, blower set and duct connected, plus testing and haul-away.
Before
AfterGlenview kitchen, 1980s two-story: microwave installation
This one is a 1980s two-story near The Grove. Before: almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: a decades-old hood and a microwave crowding the counter. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered pre-install check, outlet and circuit, plus studs located and wall plate mounted.
Microwave Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterHighland Park kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: microwave installation
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Highland Park, a typical kitchen for Highland Park. What we started with: white appliances. The main complaint was an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. The result: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant pre-install check, old unit or hood removed, plus blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Highland Park →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a postwar Cape Cod, Northbrook
Finished: cabinets in forest green with matte black pulls, black honed granite counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Northbrook
The same doors sprayed in deep navy, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Northbrook →From the old unit to the new one
- Send the model and photosTell us which microwave you bought and show us where it goes.
- Fit and power checkClearances, power and duct are checked against the installation guide.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate covering removal, mounting, venting and any outlet or cabinet work.
- Install and testOld unit down, new one mounted and vented, everything tested and the old microwave hauled off.
Microwave Installation questions from Northbrook homeowners
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside?
Yes, if there's a duct through the wall or roof behind or above it. The blower is set to exhaust out, and a damper keeps outside air from coming back in.
What size over-the-range microwave fits my kitchen?
Width usually matches a standard range; what changes is height, depth and the cabinet above. Send us the model and photos before ordering.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
It should. Drywall anchors alone are why some microwaves start to sag.
How long does microwave installation take?
It depends on the prep. We give you the schedule with the estimate.
How much does microwave installation cost?
Mounting type, venting, electrical work and haul-away drive the price. We put it in writing before we start.
What happens to the old appliance in Northbrook?
One bulk item per week at the curb free; white goods (stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers) handled separately, $30 each, scheduled with LRS at 844.633.3577. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Does microwave installation need a Northbrook building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Development & Planning Services, phone 847-664-4050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does Northbrook require a licensed electrician for microwave installation?
Electrical contractor license $70; must submit a copy of a valid electrician's registration with the application. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Northbrook contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
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.