Can You DIY a Kitchen Remodel?
Kitchen remodels have huge DIY potential for cabinet installation, tile backsplash, countertop installation, and painting. The parts that require licensed trade work — gas lines, moving drains, electrical panel work — are a small portion of the budget but carry big consequences if done wrong.
What You'll Need
Skills
- •Precise measuring and layout — cabinets especially
- •Basic carpentry for cabinet installation and shimming
- •Tile setting for backsplash
- •Comfort coordinating multiple trades and material lead times
Tools
- •Laser level (highly recommended for cabinet installation)
- •Drill and driver
- •Stud finder
- •Circular saw and jigsaw (for countertop cutouts)
- •Tile saw (wet saw — rent for backsplash)
- •Caulk gun
- •Cabinet clamps
Step-by-Step Overview
Kitchen remodels are derailed by lead times. Order cabinets (4–8 weeks), countertops (2–4 weeks after template), and appliances before demoing anything.
Remove old cabinets, countertops, and appliances. Have a licensed plumber and electrician address any rough-in changes before closing walls.
Find studs, draw a level cabinet line on the wall, and start from a corner. Upper cabinets first — you'll thank yourself for not working over base cabinets.
Set base cabinets level and plumb, shimming as needed. Screw cabinets together through the face frame before attaching to the wall.
Have the countertop company template after cabinets are set. For laminate counters, you can often template yourself and order pre-made. For stone, hire the templating and installation.
Layout your tile pattern dry, starting from the center. Most backsplash tile is relatively thin — use a V-notch trowel with mastic adhesive for walls. Use thinset behind the range for heat resistance.
Slide in appliances, connect gas (hire a licensed plumber for gas), set the sink, and connect supply lines and drain. Install the faucet before setting the sink — much easier.
Install hardware (pulls, knobs), touch up paint, add under-cabinet lighting, and adjust cabinet doors for alignment. Caulk where counters meet walls and backsplash meets countertop.
Potential Savings
For a typical 150 sq ft kitchen remodel at the national midrange cost of $44,250, doing it yourself could save roughly $13,275–$22,125 in labor costs. Materials remain similar either way.
Actual savings depend on your region, skill level, and whether you need to rent specialized equipment.
Pro Tips
- Take careful measurements before ordering cabinets and verify them twice. Measure the full perimeter of the room
- Add a scribe molding or filler strip between the last cabinet and the wall — walls are never perfectly straight
- Install the dishwasher before the countertop is set so you can tilt it in without scratching anything
- Use cabinet installation screws (long, coarse thread) — drywall screws will snap
Watch Out For
- ⚠Never move a gas line yourself — this requires a licensed plumber and inspection in all jurisdictions
- ⚠Countertop templating must happen after cabinets are set and level — templating over unset cabinets creates costly mis-cuts
When to Call a Pro Instead
- →Gas line connections or relocations
- →Electrical panel upgrades for new appliances
- →Moving plumbing drain locations
- →Stone countertop fabrication and installation — too heavy and precise for most DIYers
Ready to Hire a Kitchen Remodel Contractor?
Use your estimate to get competitive bids from licensed local contractors. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to avoid overpaying.
Recommended Products
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