JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
I totally get what you mean about the “universal” kits—they never seem to fit right, especially in older homes. When I did mine, it was mostly a battle with the pipes under the sink, but I did find some old newspaper stuffed behind the cabinet (guessing for insulation?). Did you end up having to move any plumbing, or were you able to make it work with what was there? I keep debating if custom cabinets would really save time or just add another layer of chaos...
CUSTOM CABINETS VS “UNIVERSAL” KITS—DOES IT EVER REALLY GET EASIER?
Man, those “universal” kits are a running joke in my book. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to hack a hole bigger or reroute a pipe because nothing lines up. Found a mouse nest once behind an old cabinet—at least you only got newspaper. Custom cabinets can be nice, but honestly, it’s rarely plug-and-play. Sometimes you save time, but sometimes you’re just trading one headache for another, especially if the walls aren’t square (which is basically every house over 20 years old).
JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
It’s wild how “universal” kits promise to make things simple, but somehow end up creating a whole new set of problems. I remember installing one in a client’s mid-century home—nothing lined up, and the “easy” instructions might as well have been written in hieroglyphics. Ended up shaving half an inch off the back just to get the plumbing to fit.
Custom cabinets are gorgeous, no doubt, but even then, you’re at the mercy of the house itself. Old walls have a mind of their own. I’ve seen cabinets that looked perfect in the shop, but once they hit those wavy plaster walls... let’s just say there was a lot of creative caulking involved.
Honestly, I think it’s just part of the charm (or pain?) of working on older homes. There’s always a surprise waiting behind every panel or under every sink. At least you didn’t find a squirrel skeleton or something worse—newspaper is practically a win in my book.
JUST PUT IN A NEW KITCHEN SINK AND WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLED THIS MUCH
Universal kits are the biggest lie in home improvement, I swear. Every time I’ve tried to use one, it’s like the house laughs at me and throws a curveball. Last time, I had to reroute a drain pipe because the “one size fits all” didn’t fit anything. You nailed it—old houses have their own rules. But hey, if all you found was newspaper, you’re ahead of the game… I once found a collection of marbles and an ancient mouse trap under a vanity.
- Universal kits are definitely hit or miss. “Fits all” usually means “fits nothing perfectly,” in my experience.
- Old plumbing is a wild card—sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you’re staring at pipes that make zero sense.
- At least newspaper is biodegradable... I once found a chunk of pink fiberglass and what looked like petrified bread under my old sink.
- It’s frustrating, but every weird discovery is kind of a story, right? Hang in there—the tough ones make the next project easier.
