Going rate for microwave removal and install

Labour is no more than 10mins.
But he will charge you a minimum +$200
It is a microwave....held in by a few screws.

BDSL wrote: ↑ Labour is no more than 10mins.
But he will charge you a minimum +$200
It is a microwave....held in by a few screws.

I had a over the range microwave replaced with a over the range range hood. It took 2 hours.

They need to uninstall and lower the current microwave without damaging your stove or any cabinets.
Cleaned all the relevant areas.
Replaced the vent duct.
Unbox and set up new range hood.
Lift it into position.
Connect duct and electrical.
Screw new one in place while making sure it's level.
Clean the entire work area.
Remove old microwave and trash.

"Labour is no more than 10mins" reeks of someone who has no idea what it takes to do a professional install.

Not to mention, like all trades, you're not just paying for time. You're paying for experience, insurance, gas, truck, etc, etc.

iEyeCaptain wrote: ↑ I had a over the range microwave replaced with a over the range range hood. It took 2 hours.

They need to uninstall and lower the current microwave without damaging your stove or any cabinets.
Cleaned all the relevant areas.
Replaced the vent duct.
Unbox and set up new range hood.
Lift it into position.
Connect duct and electrical.
Screw new one in place while making sure it's level.
Clean the entire work area.
Remove old microwave and trash.

"Labour is no more than 10mins" reeks of someone who has no idea what it takes to do a professional install.

Not to mention, like all trades, you're not just paying for time. You're paying for experience, insurance, gas, truck, etc, etc.

If you read the OP, it states an "over the range microwave"...not a "over the range range hood + microwave".

BDSL wrote: ↑ If you read the OP, it states an "over the range microwave"...not a "over the range range hood + microwave".

All I'm saying is that you're downplaying the amount of work required for a professional install and disregarding the unseen costs of "labour" by dismissing $200 for "10 minutes" of work.

There are plenty of reasons why people choose to pay a "professional" to do something rather than do it themselves. Maybe they're elderly who can't lift more than 10 pounds. Maybe they don't have time because they have kids. Maybe they don't want to deal with the mess and cleanup. Maybe they're just rich.

There will always be tradesmen who charge what the market can pay to do "dirty work".

iEyeCaptain wrote: ↑ All I'm saying is that you're downplaying the amount of work required for a professional install and disregarding the unseen costs of "labour" by dismissing $200 for "10 minutes" of work.

There are plenty of reasons why people choose to pay a "professional" to do something rather than do it themselves. Maybe they're elderly who can't lift more than 10 pounds. Maybe they don't have time because they have kids. Maybe they don't want to deal with the mess and cleanup. Maybe they're just rich.

There will always be tradesmen who charge what the market can pay to do "dirty work".

I am not a fortune teller. If the OP said "over the range microwave", then I will assume it is an ""over the range microwave".
I can only provide advice based on what the OP said.
I did NOT assume anything about the homeowner. All I said is it takes 10 mins to remove and install an ""over the range microwave"....and for that 10 mins, he will charge you +$200.

And if the OP said "over the range hood + microwave" that has an exhaust pipe, then it will take more time. But clearly, he didn't say that in his first post.

Maybe you are a fortune teller?

BDSL wrote: ↑ I am not a fortune teller. If the OP said "over the range microwave", then I will assume it is an ""over the range microwave".
I can only provide advice based on what the OP said.
I did NOT assume anything about the homeowner. All I said is it takes 10 mins to remove and install an ""over the range microwave"....and for that 10 mins, he will charge you +$200.

And if the OP said "over the range hood + microwave" that has an exhaust pipe, then it will take more time. But clearly, he didn't say that in his first post.

Maybe you are a fortune teller?

Aren't all " over the range microwave" also vented?

BDSL wrote: ↑ I am not a fortune teller. If the OP said "over the range microwave", then I will assume it is an ""over the range microwave".
I can only provide advice based on what the OP said.
I did NOT assume anything about the homeowner. All I said is it takes 10 mins to remove and install an ""over the range microwave"....and for that 10 mins, he will charge you +$200.

And if the OP said "over the range hood + microwave" that has an exhaust pipe, then it will take more time. But clearly, he didn't say that in his first post.

Maybe you are a fortune teller?

By definition, over the range microwaves ALL have exhaust fans.

xxxray wrote: ↑ Aren't all " over the range microwave" also vented?

Some microwaves vent outside but needs plumbing.
Some microwaves pumping the air through a charcoal filter and back inside the house.
So obviously if there is no existing plumbing and if the OP wants to vent to outside, it would cost more.
But he has a microwave that recirculates the air back inside the house, then that is a much faster job.

BDSL wrote: ↑ Some microwaves vent outside but needs plumbing.
Some microwaves pumping the air through a charcoal filter and back inside the house.
So obviously if there is no existing plumbing and if the OP wants to vent to outside, it would cost more.
But he has a microwave that recirculates the air back inside the house, then that is a much faster job.

all OTR microwaves come with both options. you need to set it to the option you want. If you're venting outside, it takes over 10 minutes along to line the vents up properly and get it in. I've done OTR microwave installs and replacements. there is no standard install amongst them. they all come with similar but different mounting brackets for the wall and different holes to drill through in your upper cabinet. They're a real pain to install. a professional replacing one will probably take 45 mins (removal of old one, install of new one). An amateur will take a couple hours. Just the weight of it, getting the bracket right, tipping it up, fitting it into the vent alone make the professional install costs worth it. it's not worth the headache.

Just a FYI, its not always as simple as removing the old microwave oven and putting the new one, There is a good chance the alignment holes for the mounting bolts are not in the same position as the other model. The mounting holes are not standard and vary from one brand to another, even one model to another too.

So you will likely need a cordless drill and a drill bit to drill a NEW mounting hole in your cabinet. Also, the power cable may be in a different spot too, you will need to drill a new hole for the power cable if it happens to be in another spot. so if anyone tells you its a straight swap, say it ain't so.

Its not always a good idea to constantly change over the range microwaves, if you do this too many times, you will have too many unused holes in the bottom wood of the cabinet, it might compromise the integrity of the cabinet especially if your my uncle and drilled too many holes in the wrong spot to begin with

I've replaced a good handful of OTR microwaves, and it's more than 10 mins. 10 min might be if you're lucky enough to be replacing with a new identical model.

Stuff that often needs to be done (in the sense that, the expectation of the person "doing" the job includes these tasks):

* Unpack the new OTR and review instructions/templates
* Clear and protect cooktop
* Unscrew and drop old OTR
* Unwire/unplug the microwave
* Clear caulking/stripping that sealed around edges
* Clean the icky grease sludge that has accumulated
* Remove old backing plate/cleat
* Figure out where to attach new back hanger/cleat
* Add in shims/fillers to accommodate different hanger (tile overlap, etc)
* Position and drill upper template holes (screws + power)
* Adjust exhaust diverter on OTR to match venting
* Reposition the exhaust venting if needed (sizes are similar but not "standard")
* Hang new OTR on back cleat, position up, screw in, plug/wire up
* Fill in/cover old holes from previous screw/power holes
* Verify door clearances and shim/adjust as needed
* Verify functionality of microwave
* Adjust clock
* Clean up sawdust/drilldust

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

For your reference and info, I've received quotes that range from $150 to $200 for the service that I had described above.

Cheers!

radar2000 wrote: ↑Thanks for the responses, everyone.

For your reference and info, I've received quotes that range from $150 to $200 for the service that I had described above.

Cheers!

Yeah. I would say that is a fair and reasonable price for someone to pay a visit and do a job, however simple.
I got locked out of my home on the very first day of moving, lol. Had to pay a locksmith $120 cash for literally what was a 30 secone job for him.

radar2000 wrote: ↑ Thanks for the responses, everyone.

For your reference and info, I've received quotes that range from $150 to $200 for the service that I had described above.

Cheers!

worth it in my opinion. they're a real pain.

radar2000 wrote: ↑ Thanks for the responses, everyone.

For your reference and info, I've received quotes that range from $150 to $200 for the service that I had described above.

Cheers!

Make sure they are reputable and understand the scope of work.
You don't want them to take off the microwave and then said "I didn't know you want us to do X Y Z. I thought the scope is only doing X." It happens a lot in contractors and constructions.

its honestly not hard, but if you do it yourself, expect to take much longer and more breaks in between and more surprises, contractors will want to rush this job and get it done asap

bizzyseller wrote: ↑ By definition, over the range microwaves ALL have exhaust fans.

NO.
I lived in one place where the microwave did not vent to the outside, but had charcoal filter. Crappy shit as it does not exhaust the humidity, but just filters cooking odors....

DoorCrasher wrote: ↑ NO.
I lived in one place where the microwave did not vent to the outside, but had charcoal filter. Crappy shit as it does not exhaust the humidity, but just filters cooking odors....

Yes, I mentioned that in post #9.
Too many experts here on internet....

BDSL wrote: ↑ Yes, I mentioned that in post #9.
Too many experts here on internet....

This.