Removing Old Cabinets If you are not replacing your floor covering, tape heavy cardboard or old carpeting over the floor to protect it. This will also provide a good surface to slide cabinets and appliances without damaging the floor. Remove the contents of the existing cabinets. Organize in small boxes so you can find the contents when you need them. Remove upper wall cabinets. Remove counter top. Remove base cabinets. Remove any moldings or trim that may interfere with new cabinets. If replacing floor, remove old flooring. Relocate Utilities If you are relocating the sink or appliances, you will need to move the plumbing, gas or electric services. This should be done by a qualified contractor or electrician. Refer to Figure 1 for items you might want to consider before you start. Patch and Repair Walls and Floor Figure 1 Do any reconstruction and finishing before you start installing your cabinets because these activities are more easily done before cabinets are in place. Wall Preparation All home walls and floors shift and settle over time. Even new construction does not guarantee that your walls and floors are plumb, level or square. Your cabinets must be shimmed and adjusted to account for this unevenness. Locate the Highest Point on the Floor Figure 2 Measure out 22" from the wall where base cabinets will be and snap a line on the floor parallel to the wall. This is the Front Base Cabinet Line; it is where the Base Cabinet Toekick will be. To find the highest point on the floor, place one end of a straight 2 x 4 at the end of the cabinet run. Place a carpenter's level on top and check the bubble. Raise either end of the 2 x 4 until it is level. Mark the floor at the end that makes contact with the floor. This is a high point. Check all around the room within 22" of the walls where base cabinets will be installed. Then check from high point to high point to determine the highest point. Mark Wall for Base Cabinet Level Line Figure 3 When you are certain you have the highest point on the floor, place your straight edge on this point and the other end against the wall. Level the straight edge and mark the wall at the bottom of the straight edge. Do this in all directions where cabinets will be located. Measure up 34 1/2" from the level marks and the high point. Use a level to strike a level line on the wall. This is the Base Cabinet Level Line (without the counter top). Do this on all walls that will receive base cabinets.