Kitchens are the busiest room in the house. Cupboard doors open dozens of times a day, drawers are loaded with pots and cutlery, and everything is exposed to heat, steam and spills. Hinges loosen, drawer runners wear, handles come off and panels near the sink and dishwasher swell from water. Most of these problems can be repaired quickly without replacing the kitchen.

We repair kitchen cupboards, drawers and fittings for homes, rentals and small businesses across Cranbourne and the surrounding suburbs.

Kitchen repairs we do

• Adjusting doors that sag, rub or do not close evenly
• Replacing broken or worn concealed hinges
• Converting old hinges to soft-close
• Re-fixing hinges that have pulled out of particleboard
• Replacing worn or broken drawer runners
• Repairing drawer boxes that have come apart
• Replacing or re-fixing handles and knobs
• Refitting or replacing kickboards
• Replacing swollen or damaged cupboard doors and panels where possible
• Fitting child-safety latches
• Adjusting pantry and pull-out units
• Re-fixing loose benchtop edges and end panels

Hinges

Most kitchens built in the last few decades use concealed hinges, sometimes called European hinges. They are clever: three adjustment screws let you move a door side to side, in and out, and up and down. Many doors that look broken just need adjustment.

When hinges fail, it is usually because:

• The hinge arm or clip has broken
• The screws have stripped out of the particleboard door or carcass
• The door has swollen around the hinge cup

We replace broken hinges with matched or compatible ones. Where screws have pulled out, we repair the holes with dowels or move the hinge to fresh material. Soft-close hinges can be fitted to most standard hinge cups, which is an easy upgrade.

Drawers

Drawer problems usually come down to runners, which carry all the weight. Common issues include:

• Drawers that drop at the front or do not close fully
• Sticking or grinding runners
• Drawers that come off their tracks
• Drawer fronts that have come loose from the box

We identify the runner type, adjust or replace it and re-fix drawer fronts. Some brand-name runner systems have specific replacement parts. Others can be swapped for modern soft-close runners if the drawer dimensions allow it.

Water-damaged panels

Particleboard is the material of most kitchen carcasses and many doors. When it gets wet, it swells and does not shrink back. Swelling is most common:

• Under the sink, from leaking taps, waste pipes or dishwasher connections
• Beside the dishwasher, from steam escaping when the door opens
• At the bottom of doors near the sink, from drips

The first step is always fixing the water source. A licensed plumber is needed for leaking pipes and taps. Once that is done, we can replace swollen doors, kickboards and some panels. Sink cabinet floors can often be replaced with moisture-resistant board. Fitting a steam guard or heat-deflecting strip beside the dishwasher helps stop future damage.

Matching new doors to existing ones can be difficult if the colour or profile is no longer available. We will discuss options before ordering.

Kickboards

Kickboards along the base of cupboards get knocked by feet, vacuums and mops. Clips break and boards fall off. We refit or replace them and re-fix clips.

Handles

Handles loosen when screws back out with use. We tighten or replace screws, and where holes are worn, repair them. We can also change handles throughout a kitchen for an updated look. If new handles have a different hole spacing, we can fill old holes, but the patches may show on some door finishes. Choosing handles with the same hole spacing avoids this.

Child safety

Families in newer estates around Clyde North and Cranbourne East often ask us to fit child-safety latches and locks on cupboards and drawers that hold cleaning products, sharp items or medicines. We fit internal latches that are hidden when doors are closed.

Rentals

Kitchen issues are common in rental reports and inspections. We fix doors, drawers and kickboards between tenancies or as reported by tenants, and provide photos. See property managers.

Identifying your hinges and runners

Kitchen hardware is made by a small number of major brands, and each has its own systems. Knowing what you have helps us bring the right parts:

• Hinges: Open the door and look at the hinge arm and mounting plate. The brand name is often stamped on the arm. Note whether the door sits over the cabinet side (full overlay), half over (half overlay) or inside the frame (inset). Measure the hinge cup diameter if you can; 35 mm is the most common.
• Runners: Pull the drawer out fully and look at the sides and underneath. Side-mounted metal runners, undermount concealed runners and metal box drawer systems are the most common. Brand names are often printed on the runner.

Photos of the hinge and runner, plus the brand if visible, help us match parts and save a second trip.

Upgrading an older kitchen

Many kitchens in established Cranbourne homes are functional but dated. Before committing to a full renovation, consider a refresh:

• Soft-close hinges throughout make the kitchen quieter and stop doors slamming.
• New handles change the look quickly, especially with a modern finish such as matt black or brushed nickel.
• New drawer runners with soft-close make old drawers feel new, if the drawer boxes are in good condition.
• Replacement doors in a new colour or profile, where carcasses are sound, can transform a kitchen. Doors can be ordered to size from specialist suppliers.
• Pull-out bins, organisers and wire baskets make better use of corner and deep cupboards.

We can fit these upgrades as a series of small jobs or as one visit.

Pantries and pull-outs

Pull-out pantries and tall units carry heavy loads on runners and can drop or jam. Corner carousels and blind-corner pull-outs have more moving parts and need adjustment. We adjust, repair and replace these mechanisms. Overloading is a common cause of failure, so we can also advise on how much a unit is designed to hold.

Overhead cupboards

Overhead cupboards in kitchens and laundries are fixed to the wall with rails or brackets, and the doors often use lift-up stays or hinges. When overhead cupboards come loose from the wall, it is a safety issue: they are heavy, especially when loaded with crockery. We re-fix them into framing and check stays and hinges. Lift-up stays that no longer hold the door open can be replaced.

Laundry and bathroom cabinetry

The same hardware is used in laundries, bathroom vanities and built-in wardrobes. We repair hinges, runners and handles throughout the house, and many visits include a kitchen door, a vanity drawer and a laundry hinge all in one go.

Moisture protection

Particleboard swelling is the main enemy of kitchen cabinetry. To reduce the risk:

• Wipe up spills promptly, especially near the base of doors.
• Do not open the dishwasher immediately after a cycle; let steam settle first.
• Check under the sink regularly for drips.
• Seal benchtop joints and sink edges with silicone.
• Fit a waterproof mat or tray under the sink.
• Use sealed edge banding on any cut edges.

Benchtops

We can re-fix loose laminate edges, seal benchtop joints and repair minor chips in laminate with colour-matched filler. Stone benchtops, large laminate replacements and benchtop cutting for new appliances usually need a benchtop specialist.

Appliance fit-off

When a new dishwasher, rangehood or oven is installed, kickboards, panels or cupboard sections sometimes need trimming to fit. We can trim and refit cabinetry around appliances. Connection of plumbing, gas and electrical supply must be done by licensed trades.

When a new kitchen is the better choice

If carcasses are badly swollen, sagging or falling apart, or the layout no longer works, repairs may not be worthwhile. We will tell you honestly if a kitchen is beyond economic repair.

Common kitchen problems by area

Under the sink

The sink cupboard has the hardest life. Plumbing traps, tap connections and dishwasher hoses all sit there. Leaks swell the floor panel, then the sides and doors. Once the plumber has fixed the leak, we can replace the floor panel with moisture-resistant board, refit doors and add a protective tray.

Beside the cooktop and oven

Heat from cooktops and wall ovens can dry out and loosen edge banding and lift laminate. Doors near the oven may warp. We re-glue edge banding where possible and replace warped doors.

Corner cupboards

Corner units often have awkward hinges and pull-outs that wear quickly. Hinges with special angles are used, and replacing them needs the correct type.

Drawers under the cooktop

Pots and pans are heavy. The drawers that hold them often have runners rated for lighter loads. Upgrading to heavy-duty runners can stop sagging.

Booking and preparation

Before we arrive, empty the cupboards and drawers we will be working on so we can reach hinges and runners. Take a photo of any labels or stamps on the hardware. Tell us whether you want soft-close throughout or just repairs, and whether you have spare doors or panels from the original build. Many kitchen repairs can be finished in a single visit if we know the hardware in advance. If special-order doors or parts are needed, we will measure, quote and return to fit them once they arrive.

Where we work

We repair kitchen cupboards across Cranbourne, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne East, Clyde North, Cranbourne West and our other service areas. Photos of the hinge or runner help us bring the right parts. Use our quote form.

Frequently asked questions