Condo kitchens with no outside vent
Many condo kitchens have no duct to the outside and building rules may not allow a new one. In that case we set the microwave to recirculate with a charcoal filter.
Serving Palatine & nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove
Microwave Installation in Palatine, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Palatine: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Serving Palatine ZIP 60067, 60074
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Microwave installs we take on in Palatine
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 Palatine 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
Rear-venting through the wall and top-venting through the cabinet need different paths. We line up the microwave's outlet with your duct and seal the joint.
Microwave that sags, wobbles or pulls away from the wall
If the front of the microwave dips or the unit moves when you open the door, the wall plate is probably held by drywall anchors instead of studs. We remount it into framing.
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.
Should it vent outside or recirculate?
If there's a duct through the wall or roof, we set the blower to exhaust outside, which clears steam and cooking smells better. With no duct, the unit recirculates through a charcoal filter.
Moving the microwave off the counter
Getting the microwave off the counter usually means an over-the-range unit or a drawer model in a base cabinet. We tell you what each needs before you pick.
Built-in microwave with a trim kit
Placing a microwave above a wall oven or in a tall pantry cabinet takes a precise cutout and an outlet inside. We prepare both and install the kit.
Old microwave swap where the holes don't line up
Even same-width models use different mounting points. The old plate comes off, the new template goes up and fresh holes are drilled into the studs and cabinet.
What the install includes
- Old unit or hood removedThe old microwave or range hood is taken down, its wiring made safe and the bracket removed.
- Studs located and wall plate mountedThe mounting plate is leveled and screwed into studs per the template.
- 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 connectedThe fan is set for outside venting through the wall or roof, or for recirculation with a filter.
- Unit hung and boltedTwo installers lift the microwave onto the plate and draw it tight to the cabinet with the top bolts.
- 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.
What to pick before the install
Low-profile over-the-range modelsSlimmer microwaves for kitchens with limited space over the range.
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
Over-the-range microwavesMicrowaves with a built-in exhaust fan and light that mount above the range.
Built-in and trim-kit microwavesUnits framed into cabinetry so they look part of the kitchen.
Microwave drawersDrawer units set in a base cabinet, reachable without lifting dishes overhead.
What the work looks like in Palatine homes
Before
Installed
DetailBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Palatine
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Palatine. Before: black appliances. What bothered the owners most: an over-the-range unit that sagged off its bracket. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. On site this meant studs located and wall plate mounted, unit hung and bolted, plus drawer and built-in cutouts.
Before
AfterMicrowave Installation in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Arlington Heights
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Arlington Heights, a typical kitchen for Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances. The main complaint was an old range hood that barely moved any air. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered old unit or hood removed, drawer and built-in cutouts, plus testing and haul-away.
Microwave Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterHoffman Estates kitchen, 1980s two-story: microwave installation
This one is a 1980s two-story in Hoffman Estates. What we started with: white appliances. The reason for the call: an old hood and a countertop microwave eating prep space. After: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. The job covered old unit or hood removed, studs located and wall plate mounted, plus blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Hoffman Estates →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine
Cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with polished nickel pulls, dark soapstone-look quartz counters, a white herringbone tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Palatine →
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Painting in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Palatine
What changed: the same doors sprayed in deep navy, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Palatine →From the old unit to the new one
- Send the model and photosShare the model number and photos of the range wall, the cabinet above and the old unit.
- Fit and power checkClearances, power and duct are checked against the installation guide.
- Written estimateA clear written price with electrical or cabinet changes listed separately.
- Install and testWe hang it, connect it, run it and take the old one away.
Microwave Installation questions from Palatine homeowners
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside in a Palatine condo?
Sometimes. Many condo kitchens recirculate because new wall penetrations aren't allowed.
Can you install a microwave I bought at a big-box store or online?
We do. Send the model number and we bring the mounting and vent parts it needs.
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.
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.
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside?
It can, when your kitchen has an exterior duct. Without one, the microwave recirculates through a charcoal filter.
Can you do microwave installation in a Palatine condo?
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.
Can Palatine bulk pickup take my old appliance or cabinets?
Bulk items go to the curb weekly at no charge (Groot). Large appliances/white goods are collected Wednesdays for $20. If you'd rather not deal with it, we haul old units and debris away.
Does microwave installation need a Palatine building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections, phone (847) 359-9042. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
What does Palatine ask for on electrical work?
Electrical contractors must register with the Village, post a $10,000 surety bond and submit a copy of an accepted electrical license (Elgin, Libertyville, Schaumburg, Ottawa, Woodstock, Chicago, ICC Master Electrician; Orland Park supervisory certificate only). New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Palatine contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must be registered and bonded with the Village before a permit is issued. Registration is online and expires Dec 31 each year. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for microwave installation in Palatine?
It depends on the scope. Palatine's rule in short: A permit is required to remodel a kitchen or to add/alter the electrical system. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building Permits & Inspections.
Do you work in my part of Palatine?
Yes. Our crews work across Palatine — ZIP 60067, 60074 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich.
Working in Palatine
- A lot of Palatine kitchens date from the 1970s. 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 Permits & Inspections handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60067ZIP 60074
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Palatine
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.