12 Smart Expectations to Set During the Cabinet Installation Journey
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Over the years, we’ve installed hundreds of cabinets across luxury kitchens, stone-accented bathrooms, walk-in closets, and custom spaces throughout the San Jose region and beyond. Every project has taught us that transparency and preparation are just as important as design and cutting-edge tools like our advanced waterjet systems.
In this guide, we walk you through the 12 most important things you should anticipate during your cabinet installation journey. Whether you’re a homeowner, interior designer, or contractor, this article is your go-to roadmap for success.
1. Expect a Detailed Site Assessment
Before any sawdust flies, our Medalco team visits the site for an in-depth evaluation. We take measurements, review the space layout, study wall conditions, flooring, plumbing, and electrical points.
Why it matters: Accurate planning prevents last-minute surprises and ensures everything fits perfectly especially if stone countertops or backsplashes are involved.
Pro Tip: If your project includes custom stone work, we often integrate our waterjet technology early to cut exact templates for countertops, sink cutouts, or stone panels.
2. You May Need to Clear More Space Than Expected
Installation is hands-on, and our crew needs physical space to work safely and efficiently. That means moving furniture, appliances, and even removing doors or baseboards temporarily.
Lesson from the field: One client in Cupertino was surprised when we had to remove the laundry room door to fit a floor-to-ceiling pantry. Luckily, our team had tools and carpenters on-hand to handle it all.
3. Cabinet Installation Takes Several Days Sometimes More
Depending on complexity, installation can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. Custom projects with stone inlays or integrated lighting may require more.
Medalco Insight: When cabinets are fabricated with embedded stone or glass panels (often cut on our waterjet), we need time to bond, test, and finish properly.
Pro Tip: Don’t schedule overlapping renovations. Let cabinet work finish before flooring or final painting resumes.
4. Expect Dust and Noise, Even with the Cleanest Crew
Cabinetry involves power tools, drilling, leveling, and trimming all of which generate some mess. We minimize this with drop cloths, vacuums, and HEPA filters.
Tip: Discuss containment strategies with your contractor. Medalco always includes a cleanup plan in our install proposals.
5. Walls Are Rarely Perfectly Straight
This is one of the most surprising discoveries for homeowners. Drywall can bow, and older homes especially may have sagging ceilings or uneven floors.
What we do: We use laser levels and shims to align every cabinet. Our custom fabrication ensures panels and trims account for wall variances.
Real Case: A mid-century kitchen in Los Altos required custom corner fillers and angled cuts done precisely with our CNC and waterjet tools.
6. There Will Be Minor Adjustments Onsite
Even with precision-cut pieces, fine-tuning happens onsite. Filler strips, end panels, crown moldings, and scribe moldings are often trimmed by hand.
Why it matters: Custom looks require custom finishes. Medalco’s in-house carpenters work with our digital fabrication team to ensure perfect alignment.
7. Stone and Metal Inserts Require Extra Time and Care
Combining materials like marble, quartz, or brushed brass into cabinetry elevates the final result but requires layered craftsmanship.
Waterjet Advantage: Medalco’s waterjet allows us to create seamless insets for stone backsplashes, curved cabinet edges, and flush metal logos.
Caution: These elements must be pre-fabricated and tested before installation.
8. Electrical and Plumbing May Need Rerouting
New cabinet layouts often interfere with old outlet locations, vents, or pipe paths. We flag these issues early during design and site checks.
Recommendation: Have your licensed electrician or plumber on call during install week. Medalco coordinates with these trades to avoid delays.
9. Surface Finishes Can Be Delicate Right After Install
Freshly painted or stained surfaces need curing time. Avoid wiping, scrubbing, or placing items on them for a few days.
Tip: Medalco provides a post-install care guide tailored to your finish type lacquer, oil-based, or polyurethane.
10. Expect a Final Quality Inspection
Once everything is installed, we do a final walk-through. We check door alignment, drawer function, joint integrity, finish quality, and more.
What sets us apart: Medalco uses a 30-point QC checklist and encourages client walkthroughs before sign-off.
11. You’ll Have Questions And That’s Okay
From soft-close hinges to lighting automation, modern cabinetry has a learning curve. Ask us anything.
Our Promise: Medalco’s team is available post-installation for guidance and troubleshooting. You’re not alone.
12. Installation Is the Final Step in a Larger Craft Story
Cabinet installation isn’t just the end of a construction job—it’s the physical manifestation of months of design, planning, and skilled fabrication.
Art Meets Engineering: At Medalco, we view cabinets as functional art. Our fabrication process often involves:
- CNC milling for joints
- Waterjet for intricate insets or logos
- Hand finishing for beauty and durability
This is where technology meets tradition and where we shine.
Real Project Spotlight: Walnut & Stone Kitchen in San Jose
A client wanted rich walnut cabinets with Calacatta marble inserts in her modern farmhouse kitchen. The project involved:
- Digitally templating sink cutouts using our waterjet
- Laser-matching grain patterns across drawers
- Seamlessly bonding stone to wood
Result: A one-of-a-kind installation that became the heart of the home functionally and artistically.
Common Cabinet Materials We Work With
- Solid Wood: Oak, walnut, maple—responsive to humidity, ideal for natural finishes
- MDF: Stable and great for painted finishes
- Plywood Core Veneers: For strong, high-end custom builds
- Glass: Used in upper cabinets or inlays
- Stone: Often integrated using waterjet for counters and accent panels
Why Medalco Is Your Cabinetry Partner
Medalco offers end-to-end cabinet solutions, combining digital fabrication, traditional woodworking, and modern materials. Our specialties include:
- Waterjet-cut stone inserts
- Fully custom cabinet builds
- Integrated lighting
- Architectural-grade finishes
We believe in quality you can feel and results you can live in.
Trusted External Resources
- Woodworking Network: Cabinetry Trends & Techniques
- Houzz: Kitchen Cabinet Design Inspiration
- NKBA: National Kitchen & Bath Association Standards
- The Spruce: Cabinet Installation Tips
- Fine Homebuilding: Advanced Cabinetry Techniques
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| 1. How long does a typical cabinet installation take? Installation timelines vary, but most standard cabinet projects take between 3 to 7 days. More complex installations with stone inlays, lighting, or integrated appliances may require up to 2 weeks. Medalco provides a project-specific timeline after the site assessment. |
| 2. Will I need to vacate my home during installation? Not necessarily. While the process involves some dust and noise, our team uses HEPA vacuums, drop cloths, and professional containment measures to minimize disruption. Many clients remain at home during the installation, especially when work is confined to one area. |
| 3. Can cabinets be installed over existing flooring or backsplash? It depends. In many cases, flooring should already be installed before cabinetry begins. However, if you’re replacing cabinets only, Medalco evaluates how the new cabinetry will align with existing finishes and makes recommendations accordingly. |
| 4. What if my walls or floors are uneven? Most homes have imperfections, especially older ones. Medalco uses laser leveling, shims, and custom fillers to ensure perfect alignment and a flawless finish even when conditions are less than ideal. |
| 5. Do you handle electrical or plumbing adjustments? While Medalco doesn’t perform plumbing or electrical work directly, we coordinate with licensed trades to reroute outlets, vents, or plumbing as needed. We flag potential conflicts early to avoid delays during installation. |
| 6. How should I prepare my home before the installation team arrives? Clear the area of personal items, furniture, and appliances. Medalco will provide a prep checklist in advance. If needed, we can assist with large-item relocation or recommend third-party movers. |
| 7. Will my cabinets require maintenance after installation? Yes, especially within the first few days. Fresh finishes need curing time, and stone or wood surfaces may require occasional sealing or conditioning. Medalco provides custom care instructions for your material selections. |
| 8. Can I customize cabinets with glass, metal, or stone accents? Absolutely. Medalco specializes in custom inlays and artistic detailing, often using our waterjet cutting technology to integrate stone, metal, or glass into your cabinetry for a modern, upscale look. |
| 9. What materials do you recommend for high-durability cabinets? We recommend plywood core veneers, MDF for painted cabinets, and solid hardwoods like walnut or oak for natural finishes. For high-traffic areas, we guide you toward finishes that are both beautiful and built to last. |
| 10. How does Medalco ensure quality control? Every project concludes with a 30-point quality inspection, ensuring drawer alignment, door function, finish consistency, and structural integrity. Our team doesn’t leave until you’re 100% satisfied. |
Trusted External Resources
- OMAX Waterjet: Educational Articles
- Flow Waterjet: How Waterjet Works
- The Fabricator: Waterjet Cutting Insights
- Engineering.com: Waterjet vs Laser Comparison
- Architectural Digest: Stone in Interior Design
