When homeowners ask “how much does it cost to install microwave,” they usually receive a vague price range. CountBricks believes you deserve precise numbers backed by field data. Our AI voice platform captures site conditions in real time, matches them with regional labor rates and live material pricing, and produces an on-the-spot estimate you can trust.
• Over-the-range replacement: $165 – $525
• New over-the-range install with venting: $350 – $750
• Built-in or drawer microwave retrofit: $800 – $1,400
• High-end custom cabinet integration: $1,500+
These figures come from recent CountBricks projects logged through CountBricks.com/portfolio. Your exact cost may fall outside the averages if your kitchen has unique site factors, which is why CountBricks.com/services delivers a line-item breakdown specific to your address.
1. Labor Complexity
A straight swap of an existing unit typically requires a single licensed technician for one hour. However, creating a new opening, reworking upper cabinets, or routing a dedicated circuit increases labor to three or more hours. CountBricks’ estimator automatically adjusts crew hours based on voice-captured scope details.
2. Electrical Upgrades
Most microwaves run on a 120-volt, 15-amp circuit, but drawer or convection units may need 20 amps. Re-wiring from the panel can add $150 – $350. Our platform flags amperage mismatches and inserts an NEC-compliant allowance in seconds.
3. Venting Requirements
Vented over-the-range models improve indoor air quality but require metal ductwork through the cabinet and exterior wall or roof. Expect $100 – $250 for a short horizontal run, and up to $400 in multi-story homes. CountBricks populates local code-approved materials and labor rates automatically.
4. Cabinet Modifications
Trimming a face frame, lowering a shelf, or fabricating a microwave base shelf ranges from $75 to $300. Custom cabinet panels run higher. CountBricks voice prompts help capture cabinet dimensions so carpentry allowances are right the first time.
5. Appliance Cost
A standard 1.6 cu ft over-the-range unit averages $275, while drawer microwaves can exceed $1,100. Because CountBricks links to live supplier feeds, your estimate includes up-to-the-minute appliance pricing with contractor discounts applied.
• Permit fees in certain municipalities (typically $50–$125)
• Cosmetic touch-ups such as tile backsplash repair ($75+)
• Disposal of the old unit and packaging ($25–$60)
• GFCI upgrade if the receptacle is within 6 ft of a sink ($45–$90)
Online calculators often ignore regional wage differences, licensing requirements, and material surcharges. CountBricks eliminates guesswork by:
• Streaming local union and open-shop rates directly into every estimate
• Verifying material pricing against supplier APIs every 15 minutes
• Recording voice descriptions of site obstacles (tight stairwells, weekend work, etc.) and converting them to cost impacts instantly
1. Open a project inside the CountBricks mobile app.
2. Walk the kitchen while speaking naturally; our AI converts speech to structured tasks.
3. Review returned takeoff quantities, labor hours, and itemized material costs.
4. Adjust mark-ups and export a branded quote or invoice in under five minutes.
• Order the microwave through CountBricks’ supplier network to tap bulk contractor pricing.
• Schedule installation alongside other electrical work to reduce trip charges.
• Choose a recirculating filter kit if exterior venting is impractical—lower upfront cost while still meeting many code requirements.
• Consider a trim-kit conversion instead of full cabinet rebuilds for built-in looks on a budget.
A homeowner wanted a drawer microwave under the island. Constraints included plaster walls, limited panel capacity, and landmark district permit rules. CountBricks voice capture highlighted the need for:
• 30 in cabinet modification with matching shaker panel ($260)
• New 20-amp homerun to subpanel 40 ft away ($285)
• Landmark exterior change approval—no vent penetration allowed
• Drawer microwave at negotiated supplier price of $985
Total installed cost: $1,640—5% under initial budget because CountBricks flagged the permit requirement early, preventing redesign delays.
Every kitchen is different. By leveraging CountBricks’ AI estimation engine, contractors and homeowners see real numbers, not rough averages. Start a project at CountBricks.com/consultation, speak your scope, and receive a shareable, line-item estimate before the coffee finishes brewing.
The next time someone asks “how much does it cost to install microwave,” point them to CountBricks. We turn three decades of residential construction know-how into instant, reliable pricing—no spreadsheets, no surprises.
Real budgets vary, so CountBricks analyzed recent residential projects to show how scope affects final cost.
• Existing vented over-the-range unit
• No cabinet changes, 15-amp circuit adequate
• Two-person crew onsite for 1.2 hours
Total Cost via CountBricks Estimate: $212
Savings Achieved: 8% below regional average thanks to bundled trip with dishwasher install.
• Recirculating microwave selected due to HOA restrictions
• Cabinet cutout widened by ½ inch
• New decorative backsplash panel installed
Total Cost: $498
Hidden Cost Avoided: $400 core-drill fee flagged early by CountBricks AI when the tech noted “high-rise, no exterior vent.”
• Island cabinet retrofit and dedicated 20-amp circuit
• Integrated auto-open drawer unit
• After-hours installation to meet homeowner schedule
Total Cost: $1,825
Client Benefit: Detailed CountBricks schedule prevented overtime creep, keeping labor 6% under the original GC allowance.
• Voice-driven takeoffs slash office time by 50%
• Automatic code checks reduce rework orders
• Exportable quotes impress clients and close deals faster
Visit CountBricks.com/services to launch a microwave install estimate or book a live demo. Whether you need a quick ballpark or a permit-ready proposal, CountBricks delivers clarity, speed, and confident numbers every time.
