My husband and I are first-time homeowners, and we're feeling a bit overwhelmed with our new kitchen project. We currently have a drop-in stove, but we decided to switch to a slide-in model, which is being delivered tomorrow (yikes!). We thought a 30-inch slide-in would fit the 30-inch top of our drop-in, but when we removed the old stove, we discovered the actual hole in the cabinet is only 29 inches wide. Now, we're realizing we might have to cut down the cabinet by half an inch on each side to get the slide-in to fit. We've been arguing about whether we should try to tackle this ourselves, and I'm really worried about damaging the integrity of the cabinet. Is this something we can safely do on our own?
2 Answers
It sounds like a tough situation! Typically, drop-in stoves sit on top of the countertop, but it seems like your cabinets might not have been set up correctly. You might need to do more than just cut a little off the sides; this could be a more extensive rebuild of your cabinets. If you’re not super experienced with construction, I definitely think this is beyond a DIY project. Maybe consider returning the slide-in and looking for a model that fits your existing cabinetry.
I’m a general contractor and can tell you it's likely not as easy as it sounds. Your cabinets should have been properly spaced for the drop-in, and it looks like you'll need to modify or replace at least one cabinet to make it right. This might end up costing you more and take more time than you think, especially if you're new to this. If I were you, I’d think about canceling the delivery and looking for something that fits your space better.
That’s solid advice. It’ll save you a lot of headaches down the road!
Yeah, I agree! It sounds like a big hassle, and getting it done right is important. Better to avoid any potential risks.