DIY: Flatpack kitchen

Flatpack kitchen from Strata Kitchens.

If you had a flair for meccano, can master a Rubik s cube or understand the instruction manual for any new gizmo, then you ve probably got a good shot at installing a flatpack kitchen.

Plunge in blind, and you ll undoubtedly end up with a kitchen that looks like it s been caught in a landslide. The secret to success, as always, lies in painstaking preparation, exacting measurements and devotion to detail.

You generally have a choice of two types of flatpack kitchens: those that come in standard sizes (generally available from large hardware stores or retailers like IKEA) and flatpacks with made-to-measure components.

Yes, this really does turn into a kitchen. Photo: www.handymancentralvic.com.au

The latter, can be more expensive, but obviously leave more scope for precisely tailoring the kitchen to your needs.

Your flatpack kitchen should arrive with numbered components and pre-drilled holes and screws.

You will get step-by-step assembly instructions for the cabinets and installation instructions for fitting the cabinets into your kitchen.

A flatpack kitchen from www.flat-pack-kitchen.com.au.

So if you ve done your prep work, are handy with a drill, can read a spirit level and have a burly helper, you should be okay.

• Ensure your walls will handle the weight of full overhead cupboards.
• Make precise measurements.
• Measure twice, cut once.
• Get help with things you aren't confident doing.
• If things start to go wrong, get help right away.
• Lift heavy items correctly to avoid back injury
• Get help to lift and manoeuvre heavy, awkward items.
• Get everything perfectly level.
• Tighten all your fittings really well as you go.
• Ensure all components fit tightly together.

Draw up a plan

Before you start to get quotes, you ll need to draw up the measurements of your kitchen plan.

Many suppliers have online tools you can use to create a detailed plan, including where windows, doors, electricals and plumbing are located.

Decide on your appliances first, so you know exactly the dimensions that need to be accommodated. The process then differs depending on which supplier you go with.

This kitchen is being installed from the bottom up too (not the way we would recommend) but it gives you a good view of the bare bones of the installation process. The carcasses have been put in place and a spirit level is being used to level them up (left). Photos: www.flatpackkitchenssydney.com

Think about lighting and electrical too. Are you moving power points? Are you going to have lighting installed in the cabinets to illuminate benches?

Some require you provide the exact measurements of your kitchen and they supply the cabinets to fit (no pressure). Others will come out to measure up for you once a deposit is taken.

Think about spending a little more on cupboards that have moisture resistance appropriate for the rigours of a kitchen.

Before and after: don't panic those ugly carcasses will be transformed into your beautiful new kitchen. Photo: flatpackkitchenssydney.com

Prepare the kitchen

Make sure your old kitchen is stripped out, rough walls are patched and sanded, and that preparatory plumbing and electricals have been done.

You ll generally need your plumber and electrician for disconnection as well as reconnection, which will entail two separate visits.

A flatpack kitchen from Cabware.

If you have stud walls, you ll need to locate where the studs are so you can screw components into them.

Using a spirit level, tape measure and pencil, mark a horizontal line on the wall where the top of your base cabinets will line up.

This handy fellow has started with the bottom cabinets first, we recommend starting with the top.

Always begin at the highest point after checking your floor level. As a rough guide, the recommended distance between the floor and the top of the benchtop is 900 +/- 20mm, so allow for the thickness of your benchtop.

If you stray from these standard measurements, you can run into problems fitting your appliances.

Generally leave between 600 to 650mm minimum between the top of the work surface and the underside of the overhead cupboards.

The end result of all that hard work.

Allow a minimum of 650mm between a gas cooktop and rangehood, and 600mm for an electric cooktop. If you have a pantry, take your top measurement from the top of the pantry and line up your overhead cupboards with this.

Never assume your walls and floors are square, take careful measurements and be prepared for making adjustments.

Work from the top down

Flatpack kitchen from Strata Kitchens.

Clear a large area to work in, with a table top (covered with blanket for protection) or work bench.

Unpack all the components of the module you re starting with, have all your tools to hand and carefully read the assembly instructions.

You need to have your head around the big picture for it all to make sense. Start with your overhead cabinets first, carefully following the assembly instructions, leaving the doors off.

Take time to make sure all edges are flush. When all your carcasses (the bare bones of the cupboards etc) are assembled, start from the corner of the kitchen and carefully line up your first cabinet with your wall marking. This is where you need your helper.

Some people find it useful to screw a "ledger board" into the wall that the cabinets can rest on while you line them up. Use a spirit level to make sure it s all square.

Now mark where the screw holes need to go, both in the wall and the back of the cabinet.

When you re doubly sure it s lined up and plumb, screw the cabinet securely to the wall. Check each cabinet as you install it to make sure it's plumb.

Fit the remaining units in the same way. Secure cabinets to each other as well as the wall.

Cabinets can be very heavy when filled, it's essential that you take this into account when preparing the kitchen and during the installation.

Walls must be structurally sound and of a material that will successfully hold the fittings used to secure cupboards. They must also be sturdy enough to then take the weight of filled cabinets.

Consult an expert on the suitability of your walls and how to reinforce them if necessary.

Installing the base cabinets

Now assemble your base cabinets in the same way, attaching the adjustable leg supports. Start from the corner again.

Use a long spirit level to very carefully and precisely level the corner or end cabinet horizontally and vertically, using packing if necessary, and adjusting the legs to get it level with your horizontal wall mark.

In corners you may need a filler strip to allow clearance for doors and drawers.

Spend as much time as you need to get these first cabinets exactly right, as a wonky start will throw out the entire run, doors wont hang properly, you ll have trouble fitting the appliances and your kitchen will look like a tragic DIY project.

When all the base cabinets are in place, and level, plumb and flush with each other, screw them together so there are no gaps between. As the cabinets rest on the floor, you only need to secure them to the wall to hold them in position.

Benchtops, doors and appliances

Since you require the services of your plumber and electrician to connect your appliances, you may want to wait until they re around to fit your appliances.

You ll need to make the necessary holes around components like your sink unit to allow for plumbing connections.

It s recommended to install your base cabinets first before ordering your benchtops, to ensure they exactly fit.

Finally, clip on your kickboards (you may need to trim some of these to fit), and fit your drawers and doors, making the necessary adjustments to have them sitting perfectly straight.

For more DIY tips and advice visit our

as a tradesman. not a writer. a few extra hints. make sure all joints are tight when screwed up. use good quality glue. and glue the back on aswell with what they supply. make sure base is level. i mean level.

Commenter skeptic Location perth Date and time June 19, 2012, 8:03AM

Skeptic. if you are a tradesman, why would you tell the world how to do stuff that puts food on your kids table? keep it tight dude. every tradesman favourite 3 letters should be - DIY. get so much work out of it it's not funny. the local baker doesn't tell you how to bake bread mate.

Commenter slothman Location brissy Date and time June 19, 2012, 6:37PM

slothman, fortunately there are enough lazy people to keep tradespeople in work. Why else do people still pay $200 for a mechanic to change their oil?

Commenter Mick Location Melb Date and time June 20, 2012, 12:51PM

Not all qualified tradesmen work as a tradesman Slothman. I am a qualified carpenter yet I work in an office as a maintenance manager and have done so for 10+ years. I am more than happy to share my trade knowledge with others.

Commenter Tweed Suit Location Date and time June 20, 2012, 1:40PM

$30,000 - 70,000 kitchens are what kictehn high street stores quote you

You get no appliances included

But bench-top (marble, granite to reconsituted stone) are

Plus cabinetry is included

Now, just had same priced witrhout these high street stores for 7,000 included all electrical, plumping and marble bench top for 4 x 5 meters wrap-round kitchen

Top french style cabinetry. too

Do you research, use right people who don't scam you for a million dollar like lottery to retire on your naivety

Remember, evian -- how it's spelt backwards.

Don't let this happen to you

Commenter Save not cry afterwards Location Date and time June 20, 2012, 4:14PM

save not - did a reno using a really good cabinet maker as project manager. $50K all up including plumbing, electrical, top appliances, new islands, some tiling, etc. Brilliant outcome. I got value for what I paid. A $7K cabinetry would have been crap in comparison. There is value, there is being ripped off, and then there is simply cheap. Yes?

Commenter ArghONaught Location Date and time June 20, 2012, 7:18PM

BUT ALMOST VICTORIOUS

Had marble top at auction for 590$

Cabinetry with moulds added to what joinery (easily done with wood glue, seamless) for few hundred dollars entire kitchen frame (range area, island under counter on sides)

Glazing panes for feature doors over bench, glass splashback driect from factory and installed under 800$

Tap fittings and oven and oven and coffee machine all online (new in miel, gaggeneua - as new form stores showroom unused and auctions) under 3500$

And shortliested in kicthen awards

It's easy not to be conned by what alot of people have been too long

In these times people must be careful

And not using a flatpac kitchen but quality materials others pay highway robbery prices.

Commenter beggy wison Location Malvern east Date and time June 21, 2012, 11:12AM

Built one recently with total cost coming in at $5600 including splashback, plumbing, electrical brand name appliances. For the same 2pack kitchen, quotes were starting at $12k installed minus appliances.

Tip 1: You need to remember that often your walls are not straight and your floors are not level. Make sure you have adjustable feet and filler pieces which can be cut to size.

Tip 2: High Cabinets can get real heavy, so make sure they are secured properly. I removed the plaster and put noggins in at the securing height and replastered. Mainly because the securing points never match up with the studs.

Found the hardest thing was the benchtops especially since none of the walls were straight. Had a mate who used to be a cabinetmaker help me for a few hours to install them. It was so worth the extra couple a hundred.

Highly suggest you have a professional do the benchtops if you use off the shelf ones. Or at least measure up the benchtops and have them made to size somewhere.

Commenter Big Heavy Location Brissy Date and time June 19, 2012, 12:16PM

Hi Big Heavy

Just about to do a kitchen in Brisbane. where did you get your flatpak. my twopack quote is. like you. coming in at 12,000 (must be a magic figure!!)

Commenter elsewhere Location brisbane Date and time June 19, 2012, 4:22PM

That is funny - I had a friend just do their kitchen - $12K not including appliances (that $12K mark is so common place. ). Doing a reno using 'aussie sourced products and tradesman' is a total waste of cash. Youtube any guide you want and with a little practise and set up - you can do a pretty good job.

Commenter Liberator Location SEQLD Date and time June 20, 2012, 2:06PM