Over-the-range and built-in microwaves have become must-have appliances in modern San Antonio kitchens. They free up counter space, complete sleek cabinet lines, and boost resale value. Yet many homeowners underestimate the construction know-how required to install them safely and affordably. That is where CountBricks steps in. Our AI-driven estimating and voice capture tools generate precise material lists, labor tasks, and real-time cost data before anyone drills the first hole.
The phrase “san antonio microwaves” trends high because of three regional factors:
• Rapid residential growth on the I-35 corridor
• A surge in kitchen remodels in historic neighborhoods like Monte Vista and King William
• Energy-efficient appliance rebates that favor modern, vented microwave models
Whether you are a DIY-inclined homeowner or a remodeling contractor, knowing current market pricing and code requirements is critical. CountBricks collects real-time permit data, supplier inventory, and labor rates across Bexar County so you never lowball or overbid.
Microwave installations are deceptively simple. Behind the trim kits and tile backsplashes lie structural, electrical, and ventilation considerations. Below is a typical CountBricks cost snapshot for a standard 1000-watt over-the-range unit in a wood-frame home:
• Appliance and trim kit: $325 – $550
• Dedicated 15-amp circuit (if required): $175 – $325
• Cabinet modification or new cabinet: $200 – $450
• Ducted ventilation to exterior: $350 – $650
• Labor (licensed electrician + carpenter): $275 – $475
Total average: $1,325 – $2,450
These numbers update automatically inside the CountBricks dashboard. Voice-dictate site conditions—“brick exterior, 12 feet to soffit, existing 110V outlet”—and our AI recalculates the estimate in seconds.
• Venting method: Recirculating is cheaper but less efficient than true exterior venting.
• Electrical upgrades: Homes built before 1990 may lack dedicated microwave circuits.
• Cabinet depth: Shallow uppers require plywood build-outs or full replacement.
• Finish materials: Custom tile or stone backsplashes take longer to protect and cut.
1. Verify structural support behind the cabinet face.
2. Shut off the breaker and confirm no live wires remain.
3. Mark and cut a template for the wall bracket and upper cabinet holes.
4. Install backing plate into two studs or add a 2x4 ledger for metal studs.
5. Mount the microwave, pulling power cord and vent collar through the cabinet.
6. Connect ductwork or charcoal filter kit.
7. Restore power, run a test heat cycle, and seal any gaps with approved caulk.
Contractors can record each step verbally. CountBricks timestamps the audio, converts it into an as-built checklist, and attaches it to the final invoice at CountBricks.com/portfolio.
• The 2021 IRC adopted by the city requires make-up air for hoods exceeding 400 CFM.
• Microwaves must clear the cooktop by 13–24 inches, depending on manufacturer specs.
• All new outlets in kitchens require GFCI protection—CountBricks flags this automatically.
AI Estimates in One Conversation
Speak naturally on site—our system captures square footage, cabinet dimensions, and electrical panel location, then creates a line-item estimate you can email to the client before leaving the driveway.
Blueprint Takeoffs Without the Mouse
Upload a PDF of the kitchen plan. CountBricks AI finds appliance locations, measures duct runs, and outputs materials directly into your preferred supplier’s format.
Change Orders Without the Chaos
• Scope shift from recirculating to exterior vent? Update the voice log.
• Instant recalculated cost shows up in the homeowner’s portal.
• Digital signatures lock pricing so you stay profitable.
• Using drywall anchors instead of lag bolts into studs
• Ignoring hood clearance, causing warranty voids
• Venting into attic space, violating code and risking moisture damage
• Forgetting to protect the glass cooktop below during installation
CountBricks checklists flag each of these dangers and embed safety photos into your job record.
• Pre-drill cabinet tops with a 3/4" paddle bit to avoid splintering alder or oak
• Use a right-angle drill extension when studs sit off center
• Seal exterior vent caps with UV-resistant silicone to survive Texas heat
• Offer microwave removal recycling—CountBricks adds the fee automatically
• Snap a final photo; the AI labels model and serial numbers for warranty files
Visit CountBricks.com/services to launch a free estimate, or book a live demo with our construction AI specialists. From Leon Valley to Stone Oak, CountBricks keeps San Antonio microwave projects on time, on budget, and inspection-ready.
A recent CountBricks client purchased a 1920 bungalow in Alamo Heights. The remodel called for a stainless over-the-range microwave plus exterior venting—without disturbing the century-old shiplap ceiling. By speaking a 90-second walkthrough into the CountBricks mobile app, the contractor captured:
• Cabinet depth of 12 ¼″ requiring a spacer kit
• Single-layer brick exterior wall 18′ from proposed vent exit
• Knob-and-tube wiring discovered behind plaster
Within three minutes the platform produced a $2,175 estimate, including electrical upgrade, masonry core drill, and custom oak filler strip. The homeowner approved the bid digitally, and a city permit number auto-synced with the CountBricks dashboard.
1. Custom ledger screwed into hidden ceiling joists preserved visible shiplap.
2. Low-profile 4″ duct ran through the adjacent pantry to minimize brick penetration.
3. GFCI-protected outlet added inside the cabinet with AFCI breaker per local amendments.
The job finished two hours under budget. CountBricks’ AI adjusted the final invoice, reflecting saved labor, and emailed warranty documents—complete with installation photos stamped by date and GPS.
• Early discovery of outdated wiring avoided a mid-project shutdown
• Real-time material pricing locked in savings before supplier increases
• Photo-verified compliance sped up the final inspection sign-off
Want similar accuracy on your next microwave install or full kitchen remodel? Head to CountBricks.com/consultation and schedule a 15-minute call. Our AI estimates clearer budgets, happier clients, and more profitable projects—one San Antonio microwave at a time.
