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.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Microwave Installation in Chicago & the Suburbs
Over-the-range, drawer and built-in microwaves installed in Chicagoland: anchored into the wall, bolted to the cabinet and vented the right way.
- Serving the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- Installed level, sealed and tested before we leave
- Clear price for the install before the visit
Microwave installs we take on in Chicagoland
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 Chicagoland 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.
Convection or air-fry microwave on an old circuit
An air-fryer microwave over the range does more work than a basic one. If the outlet shares a circuit with the counter, an electrician separates it.
No outlet in the cabinet above
Over-the-range models plug into a receptacle inside the cabinet overhead. If yours has none, a licensed electrician adds one, often on its own circuit as the maker asks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moving the microwave off the counter
A countertop microwave eats prep space. Mounting one over the range, under the counter or inside a cabinet gives that space back.
What the install includes
- Old unit or hood removedWe unplug or disconnect the old unit and clear the wall and cabinet for the new one.
- 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 connectedThe fan is set for outside venting through the wall or roof, or for recirculation with a filter.
- Unit hung and boltedThe unit is hooked on the bracket, bolted from above and checked for level.
- 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
Microwave drawersDrawer units set in a base cabinet, reachable without lifting dishes overhead.
Low-profile over-the-range modelsSlimmer microwaves for kitchens with limited space over the range.
Over-the-range microwavesThe most common type: a microwave and a vent fan in one unit over the cooktop.
Venting partsThe pieces that connect the microwave to the outside or set it up to recirculate.
Built-in and trim-kit microwavesUnits framed into cabinetry so they look part of the kitchen.
Microwave Installation across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
Prewar towns
Plaster walls behind the range
In prewar kitchens the wall behind the range may be plaster, tile or both. We drill through it cleanly and anchor the bracket into framing.
Condo and townhome towns
Can an over-the-range microwave vent outside in a Arlington Heights and Glendale Heights condo?
Only where there's an existing exterior duct and the association allows it. Otherwise we install it to recirculate.
Arlington Heights, Glendale Heights, Lisle, Itasca, Schaumburg, Carol Stream
Recent installs around Chicagoland
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Itasca
This one is a 1980s two-story near Walnut Street downtown. Before: black appliances. The reason for the call: an over-the-range unit that sagged off its bracket. Finished kitchen: a new over-the-range microwave installed above the range and vented. Work included old unit or hood removed, unit hung and bolted, plus testing and haul-away.
Microwave Installation in Itasca →
Before
AfterGeneva kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: microwave installation
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial near Mill Creek. The kitchen as it was: almond appliances. The reason for the call: a decades-old hood and a microwave crowding the counter. 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 blower set and duct connected.
Microwave Installation in Geneva →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett. The kitchen as it was: white appliances. The main complaint was 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 studs located and wall plate mounted, cabinet drilled to the template, plus unit hung and bolted.
Microwave Installation in Bartlett →How the install goes
- 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 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.
Install questions
How high should an over-the-range microwave be above the stove?
Each maker sets a minimum distance from the cooktop to the bottom of the microwave. We follow that number, which also depends on the cabinet height.
Does the wall plate have to go into studs?
Yes. Makers require the bracket to be fastened into framing because the microwave is heavy and hangs over heat.
How much does microwave installation cost?
A same-spot replacement and a hood-to-microwave conversion with a new outlet are priced differently. You get a line-item quote first.
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.
Do I need an electrician to install an over-the-range microwave?
Usually not for a straight swap. When a hood is being replaced or there's no receptacle overhead, electrical work is part of the job.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Microwave Installation near you
Pick your town for local details, ZIP codes and nearby projects.
