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Carpentry (Hourly)
Cabinet Door and Drawer Repair
A sagging cabinet door or sticking drawer can have a hardware, fixing or box problem. Identify the cause before replacing parts.
Renovation1.ca · Published
Starting condition
A cabinet door has dropped out of line, or a drawer catches, tilts or fails to close. Most of the kitchen is otherwise intended to stay in place.
The problem
Repeated adjustment cannot hold when screws have lost their support or the cabinet box is damaged. A replacement hinge or slide must also match the actual cabinet system.
What to inspect
- Observe the fault with the drawer or door unloaded
- Identify hinge or slide type and adjustment range
- Check fixing holes and surrounding panel condition
- Inspect the box for movement, distortion or moisture damage
- Confirm replacement-part compatibility and adjacent clearances
Recommended approach
Start with a confirmed, serviceable adjustment. Where a part or mounting point has failed, compare a compatible replacement with a suitable local repair. Define box repair separately when the existing support cannot hold the hardware.
Typical scope
Preparation
- Empty the affected unit and identify hardware and fixing conditions
Removal
- Remove the affected front, drawer or failed hardware as needed
Installation
- Fit compatible replacement components or agreed mounting repairs
Adjustment
- Align fronts and set the movement within the hardware instructions
Finishing
- Touch up agreed exposed fixing marks
Cleanup
- Collect failed parts and demonstrate operation
Exclusions
- Major box rebuilding, custom drawer manufacture and layout changes require separate scope
Materials
- Compatible hinges or drawer slides if needed
- System-appropriate fixings
- Assessed local mounting-repair materials
- Finish touch-up material if included
Work sequence
- Inspect movement and unload the affected component
- Check the hardware and its support
- Confirm adjustment or replacement parts
- Repair, reinstall and align the component
- Test repeated opening and closing
Possible complications
- Original hardware is no longer available
- Swollen panels cannot hold a local fixing repair
- A distorted box prevents consistent front alignment
Quality checks
- Hardware stays fixed through repeated movement
- Door or drawer closes without catching
- Fronts clear adjacent units and handles
- Any soft-close feature works with compatible hardware
Expected result
The intended result is usable movement and secure hardware in the assessed cabinet. If the box prevents a lasting repair, that limitation informs the replacement options.
What changes the scope
- Hardware identification and availability
- Condition of the mounting points
- Number of affected doors or drawers
- Box repairs and finish touch-ups
Related services
Related guides
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Choose by cabinet-box condition, layout, appliance fit, door appearance and the extent of custom work.
Homeowner guide
What Should Be Ready Before Kitchen Cabinets Are Installed?
Confirm the room, order, appliance clearances and service locations before the first cabinet is mounted.
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