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 Schaumburg & nearby Roselle, Hoffman Estates
Microwave Installation in Schaumburg, IL
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Schaumburg: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Installers working in Schaumburg ZIP 60193, 60173, 60194, 60195
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Microwave installs we take on in Schaumburg
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 Schaumburg installers handle all of it and haul the old unit away.
Should it vent outside or recirculate?
Venting outdoors through a damper is the stronger option for a gas range; recirculation only filters the air. We check what's behind the wall before choosing.
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 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.
Duct that doesn't line up with the new unit
The exhaust opening on a new microwave may sit inches away from the old hood duct. We fit a transition piece or adjust the opening so air moves without leaks.
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.
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.
No outlet in the cabinet above
Makers usually call for a dedicated circuit and an outlet in the upper cabinet. Where the kitchen lacks it, the wiring is added first and the microwave goes up after.
Included with the install
- Pre-install checkWe compare the model's guide with your cabinet width, cooktop clearance, outlet location and duct.
- Old unit or hood removedThe old microwave or range hood is taken down, its wiring made safe and the bracket removed.
- Outlet and circuitPower where the new unit needs it, with any new circuit wired 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 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.
- Unit hung and boltedThe unit is hooked on the bracket, bolted from above and checked for level.
Options to choose from
Over-the-range microwavesMicrowaves with a built-in exhaust fan and light that mount above the range.
Venting partsDamper, duct transitions, charcoal filters and wall or roof caps.
Built-in and trim-kit microwavesUnits framed into cabinetry so they look part of the kitchen.
Microwave drawersUnder-counter microwaves that open like a drawer, often in an island.
Convection and air-fry combosMulti-mode microwaves that can stand in for a second oven.
Before and after: kitchens near Schaumburg
Before
Installed
DetailMicrowave Installation in a 1980s two-story, Schaumburg
The site: a 1980s two-story near International Village. Before: almond appliances. The reason for the call: a decades-old hood and a microwave crowding the counter. The result: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included old unit or hood removed, outlet and circuit, plus studs located and wall plate mounted.
Before
AfterA Roselle 1980s two-story: before and after
A 1980s two-story in Roselle, a typical kitchen for Roselle. The kitchen as it was: black appliances. What bothered the owners most: a microwave that had stopped working over the range. 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 Roselle →
Before
AfterMicrowave Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Hoffman Estates
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Hoffman Estates. The kitchen as it was: white appliances. The reason for the call: a weak hood and a microwave stuck on the counter. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included pre-install check, outlet and circuit, plus unit hung and bolted.
Microwave Installation in Hoffman Estates →
Before
AfterA Schaumburg 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
Cabinets in deep olive with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash, gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Schaumburg →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Schaumburg
Finished: the same doors sprayed in light butter yellow, new brushed nickel bar pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Schaumburg →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 Schaumburg homeowners
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside in a Schaumburg condo?
It depends on the building. We check the duct and the rules, and recirculation is the fallback.
Can you put a microwave drawer in my island?
Usually, if there's a base cabinet of the right width and power can reach it. We cut the opening and add the outlet.
Can you install a microwave I bought at a big-box store or online?
Yes. Many of our microwave jobs are units owners bought themselves.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
Always into studs. We locate the framing before drilling.
Will you take the old microwave or hood away?
Yes, along with all the packaging.
Schaumburg building permit for microwave installation: where do I apply?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Permitting Division (Permit Services), phone (847) 923-4420. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do Schaumburg 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.
Schaumburg contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must register with the Village; out-of-town contractor license $125/year (includes $10 Schaumburg Business Association fee), runs through Dec 31. We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Schaumburg?
Yes. Our crews work across Schaumburg, including Weathersfield, International Village, Woodfield area, Olde Schaumburg Centre — ZIP 60193, 60173, 60194, 60195 — and nearby Roselle, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park.
Working in Schaumburg
- A lot of Schaumburg 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.
- Live in the Olde Schaumburg Centre Overlay District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
WeathersfieldInternational VillageWoodfield areaOlde Schaumburg CentreTown Square
ZIP 60193ZIP 60173ZIP 60194ZIP 60195
Microwave Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Schaumburg
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.