1950s openings sized for old appliances
Cabinets from the 1950s were built around appliance sizes that have since grown. We resize those openings rather than replacing every cabinet.
Serving Skokie & nearby Evanston, Park Ridge
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Skokie, IL
We cut, resize and rebuild the cabinets you already have in Skokie so a new fridge, range or dishwasher fits and the kitchen works better.
- Installers working in Skokie ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203
- Hookups by licensed trades where the code calls for it
- Old unit hauled away on request
Cabinet changes Skokie owners ask us for
You do not need new cabinets to get a bigger refrigerator or more drawers. We rework the boxes you already own: openings widened or raised, doors turned into drawers, panels and fillers added, all matched to the finish in your Skokie kitchen.
Unfinished or damaged end panels
We add decorative end panels to cabinet runs and islands so bare sides no longer show.
Uppers that stop short of the ceiling
A gap above the wall cabinets collects dust and wastes storage. We add short stacked cabinets or tall trim so the uppers run to the ceiling.
New refrigerator is too tall for the opening
Many newer fridges are taller than the cabinet above the old one allows. We raise or shorten that upper cabinet and reset it so the new unit slides in with proper air space.
Wasted space at fillers and corners
Some fillers are there for door clearance and must stay. Others can be turned into narrow storage, and we tell you which is which.
Switching to a wider range
A larger range needs a wider opening in both the cabinets and the counter. We plan which side gives up width and rebuild that cabinet to its new size.
Fridge opening too narrow
Going from a narrow fridge to a standard or French-door model often means giving up a slim cabinet next to it. We remove it and finish the side so nothing looks cut.
Panel-ready dishwasher or fridge
Panel-ready appliances take a cabinet door on the front. We build or order a panel that matches your doors and mount it to the appliance maker's template.
What the install includes
- Measuring the appliance and openingBefore any cut, we compare the manufacturer's cutout dimensions with what the cabinets really measure.
- Protecting the counters and floorWe lay protection on the floor and tape off counters and adjacent doors.
- Removing doors, fillers or a cabinetDoors, fillers or a whole cabinet come out carefully so the neighbors are not damaged.
- Panels, fillers and trimFinished panels and trim cover every cut edge and new side.
- Drawers and shelvesNew drawer boxes, slides and fronts or a fixed microwave shelf are installed in the modified cabinet.
- Hardware and soft-close partsHinges, slides and pulls on changed cabinets are replaced or reset to match the rest.
- Coordinating other tradesIf an outlet, water line or gas line has to move, we schedule a licensed trade around our work.
Models, parts and fittings
Appliance panels and trim kitsCustom fronts for panel-ready appliances and trim kits for built-in microwaves.
Paint and stain for new partsWe finish new pieces with the same type of coating the cabinets have, tinted to match.
Cabinet-grade plywoodUsed for rebuilt sides, bottoms and shelves because it holds screws well and resists sagging.
Finished end and refrigerator panelsFlat, Shaker or raised panels sized for fridge surrounds, cabinet ends and island sides.
Microwave and spice pull-out insertsReady-made inserts for narrow spaces: tray dividers, spice pull-outs and microwave shelves.
Before and after: kitchens near Skokie
Before
Installed
DetailA Skokie 1980s two-story: before and after
The site: a 1980s two-story in Skokie. What we started with: golden-oak cabinets with oak soffits above and black appliances. What bothered the owners most: cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. The job covered measuring the appliance and opening, protecting the counters and floor, plus panels, fillers and trim.
Before
AfterKitchen Cabinet Modification in a prewar condo, Evanston
This one is a prewar condo in Evanston. What we started with: 1990s cherry-stained cabinets and black appliances. The main complaint was cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. The result: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. Work included measuring the appliance and opening, protecting the counters and floor, plus hardware and soft-close parts.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Evanston →
Before
AfterPark Ridge kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen cabinet modification
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Park Ridge. The kitchen as it was: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and almond appliances. What bothered the owners most: cabinets built around appliances that no longer exist. After: the opening widened and the upper cabinet raised, a panel added, a new refrigerator fitting flush. Work included drawers and shelves, hardware and soft-close parts, plus coordinating other trades.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Skokie
A lowered charcoal concrete-look quartz counter section with knee space under the sink, cabinets in pale sage uppers and light gray lowers with satin brass pulls, pull-down shelves in the uppers, drawers instead of base doors, a side-opening wall oven, a lever faucet and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Accessible Kitchen Remodeling in Skokie →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar bi-level in Skokie
Finished: cabinets in light butter yellow with polished nickel pulls, black honed granite counters, a gray beveled subway tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and two glass pendants and recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Skokie →Install day
- Visit and measureWe look at the cabinets, the new appliance specs and what you want to change.
- Plan and estimateWe explain the approach, any limits on finish matching and the price in writing.
- Parts preparedAnything custom is built ahead so the on-site time stays short.
- On-site workMost modifications are finished on site in one or two working days.
- Fit checkThe appliance goes in, we adjust everything and walk through it with you.
Kitchen Cabinet Modification questions from Skokie homeowners
What is the cheapest way to upgrade kitchen cabinets?
Small changes often give the most: new hardware, soft-close hinges, a few drawers and finished panels on bare ends.
Can you add a microwave shelf to my cabinets?
Usually. The microwave model, its ventilation needs and the nearest outlet decide where the shelf can go.
Is a small cabinet job worth calling about?
Yes. Many of our jobs are one or two cabinets, done in a day.
Do I need new countertops if you resize a cabinet?
It depends. Making room for a wider range often means cutting the counter; raising an upper cabinet does not touch it.
What affects the cost of cabinet modification?
Cabinet construction, the parts that must be made and any trades involved. We put each item in a written estimate.
Do I need a Skokie-registered contractor for cabinet modification?
Many contractors must be registered and insured with the Village each year; permits are not issued unless all listed contractors are registered and insured. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for cabinet modification in Skokie?
It depends on the scope. Skokie's rule in short: Electrical work and plumbing or electrical system changes need a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division.
Do you work in my part of Skokie?
Yes. Our crews work across Skokie — ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203 — and nearby Evanston, Park Ridge, Glenview.
Working in Skokie
- A lot of Skokie kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Skokie homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60076ZIP 60077ZIP 60203
Kitchen Cabinet Modification nearby
Other kitchen services in Skokie
Kitchen Cabinet & Drawer RepairHinges, drawer slides and water-damaged sink bases fixed.
Pull-Out Shelves & Cabinet OrganizersRoll-out shelves and organizers built to fit your existing cabinets.
Accessible Kitchen RemodelingKitchens that work for every age and ability.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.