Mistakes made during the installation of new kitchen cabinets are one of the main reasons kitchen renovation projects are delayed. When this happens, it leaves the homeowner with a partially working (or non-functioning) kitchen and questions about how long it will take to finish their remodel. Although most of these problems can be avoided with proper and diligent planning, there are still a variety of things that can go wrong with any kitchen project. These are some of the most common mistakes made when installing cabinets.

poor measures

Making sure all cabinet measurements are taken accurately is the number one way to avoid delays on your remodeling project. This encompasses all measurements and means you need to have accurate measurements of ceiling height, wall-to-wall, doors, windows, and anything else that might break or affect cabinet alignment.

new appliances

If you’re replacing your old appliances with new ones, be sure to measure the spaces for them according to the new appliances, rather than the old ones. Although you may be using standard size appliances, keep in mind that standards sometimes change and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

informal designs

Even if you are trying to do the entire remodel on your own, you should use a professional designer layout. This is a service that is sometimes offered for free if you purchase your cabinets from a large home center. Other places will give you a layout design for a small fee. Either way, this will help you keep all locations and measurements organized so you can avoid delays.

Incorrectly calculated ceiling height

One of the easiest ways to cause problems with your installation is to miscalculate the size and height of your upper cabinets. High ceilings can minimize standard size cabinets. You may also want to place them at different heights depending on who will be using them. To be safe, always measure and make sure everything is the proper size.

faulty hardware

Although this usually results in only a short delay, always make sure you have the right amount of knobs, handles, pulls, and other hardware for your cabinets. To maintain your safety, be sure to use the proper size fasteners to secure your cabinets to the wall.

Not accounting for plumbing

Plumbing must be installed very precisely to work properly with your dishwashers, sinks, refrigerators, and faucets. This is another reason why it is important to have a professional design layout. This will help both you and your plumber make sure everything is in the right place from start to finish.

Not planning lighting

As with plumbing, it’s important to do all your lighting planning before you start, rather than halfway through the project. If you’re using recessed lighting, for example, you should have your electrician do most of the work before you begin. Otherwise, you may find that you need to undo some of the work you’ve already done to finish the job.

While these are just some of the things that can slow down your project, they are some of the most common and easy to fix. If there is something you do, be sure to plan and prepare for your kitchen remodel thoroughly before you begin.