I think the problem lies in that you have a Lowe's installer who is not a carpenter. You need a carpenter to modify the cabinet. What you really should have ordered was the oven cabinet below with the double extended opening. OC332490BUTTDE A carpenter or a handyman with woodworking experience could make it work for you. But it sounds like this guy is just trained to install without the ability to modify.

IME, people from Lowes are really just delivery people who can also plug things in. If you need a cabinet cut, you need a cabinet person to do that.

As your cabinet specs call for a max height cutout of 51" with the drawer and your oven calls for a cutout opening of 51 13/16". They do not want to modify the cabinet. You'll need to have someone cut
the openings to the necessary clearances, and then build a
platform/shelf that will support the oven. But,

If I was a betting man, I would bet that you can probably keep the drawer by adjusting the front down a hair, and then adjusting the top doors ups, and splitting that 13/16". Just depends on what kind of overall clearances the oven specs calls for.


"The installers of the cabinets wouldn't cut the opening for the oven (or
install the pantry rollout drawers) because they didn't want the
liability."

Sounds to me like you choose your installers poorly. We never want the appliance people or the electrician to cut on our cabinets. So we always install built in apps, just try to have the electrician near by to connect power.
.

You're right, we should have been more selective. We hired the contractor who built the house behind us (Lowe's installers did our previous kitchen and we definitely weren't doing THAT again!) and we are very happy with the cabinets themselves but we were floored when he told us that. It's ultimately not a big deal, we don't have crown molding or anything for them to have majorally messed up and they look gorgeous.

I have tried rather unsuccessfully to find a carpenter for months. I put a call in to 2 local "woodworker"s but one is out of town and the other hasn't answered my messages. I'll just keep trying. Definitely not comfortable with the lowe's guy touching my cabinet. I assumed when I told them the cabinet needed cut they'd send someone who could do that. You live you learn.

& we purchased the cabinet FROM KraftMaid at the outlet. We are working with our set the best we can. We thought we'd read the spec book correctly that we could make the oven work with the cabinet. If we'd actually ordered the cabinets we'd of ordered the one you mentioned watchmelol.

Thank you for the responses! It's a relief that we didn't read the spec book incorrectly. We just need to find the right person to cut the cabinet. We aren't in a hurry so I will keep looking!!

THe problem that you will run into is that there will be a small job premium for that. It eats up a half of a day. I'd call local cabinet showrooms and ask if they have an installer that they use that might be looking for a fill in between jobs. With no timetable, he might be able to fit you in during a slow time and not have to charge you the usual $600 half day charge.

In all fairness, I know a guy who subs cabinet installation for Lowe's. I worked with him 30 years ago in the store fixture manufacturing business. He's had his own showroom. There is no one more knowledgeable in cabinet installation or alteration in northwest Ohio. I know it's heresy here, but never underestimate the talent at the big boxes.

I should have been a bit clearer. When I said people from lowes are just delivery people who can plug in appliances, I meant the appliance delivery people, not the cabinet installing people. I have no experience with lowes cabinet installers.

I called a local handyman service. They're going to send someone to look at it Monday. Fingers crossed. I sent the same information I posted here via e-mail so they know what they're up against. But If they can't, maybe the woodworker partying in New Orleans will be able to when they return!

The oven is still AT Lowes so easily "returned" and replaced with something else but I've got double oven dreams! Lowes called today to back out of the installation entirely so I guess the guy realized it's way over his head.

I'll keep trudging on...

My point is there are at lot of over-qualified folks working retail. I did a granite alteration for a former McDonald's executive that was a barista at Starbucks. They begged her to be a district manager; she just wanted to serve coffee at nine bucks an hour and get health insurance until their Medicare kicked in.

My wife is a journeyman electrician and works in the electrical department at Lowe's, another former white collar turned retail. I had a retired journeyman plumber at my Home Depot in Michigan who saved my butt.

I have had several good experiences with Lowes in the past (or else we wouldn't have asked them to do a detail for this installation). I am not arguing that they can have good, quality people. I just knew after the feedback from the detail that this individual doesn't need to be near my cabinet. I am sure he would be more than able to install the oven, as that is what he was actually hired to do, but the cabinet is the first step and my biggest concern right now. They may be willing to install the oven still if I can get the cabinet taken care of!

I'm sorry if anything I said implied I thought little of Lowes subcontractors or employees.

p_djk:

No, you've implied nothing. I just like to bring another perspective.

I have located a carpenter (currently working outside that field) that is going to come look this week! I am so excited.

Thank you for helping reassure me we could make this work if we found the right person. Fingers crossed he is the right person!

He also kept the drawer fully functioning :)

Hi there! I know this is an old message thread but I'm now finding myself in the EXACT situation with the EXACT same oven and cabinet size. I'd greatly appreciate any insight that you or your carpenter friend can provide me with regard to the modifications that he made to the cabinet. My email is j_r_foster@att.net. Thanks so much in advance for your assistance! Jeanette Foster