Built in dishwasher-freestanding? How easy is this?

[DobbyTheHouseElk]

When I had my kitchen re-done a few years ago I wanted all the appliances built in. But now the dishwasher has broken and I realise maybe it wasn’t a good idea. I ideally want to replace with a freestanding one. But have no idea if this is even possible. Would a freestanding fit in the same hole?

Has anyone done this without having to rebuild the kitchen units??

Yes, but you will need to remove the plinth and cut it down to size.

If you have kick boards you may need to cut a bit out so you can fit the machine in. You'll need to measure the aperture too to see if free standing machines will fit

Yes, I’ll need to shorten the kick boards.

Which is the plinth? Silly question

It’s in the end of a unit. So it’s next to the wall.

I think the plinth is the same as kickboards

Why would you not just replace it with another integrated one?

The decor door is removed via a few screws (you can probably find instructions online if you haven't kept the original ones)

We have done this with our own kitchen this year. Our Beko £200 dishwasher needed replacing, so we bought a slightly more expensive one (cutlery tray as a top rack) and fitted it in ourselves. If you are unsure ring a local handyperson. We have a local booklet with all sorts of local businesses in. We have relied on it for 15 years to find trades people.

They are too expensive for a built in one.

How broken is your dishwasher? Have you had a repair person look at it? Ours broke down last year and I got someone to come and have a look - it was a fixed fee to investigate then the cost of fixing which turned out to be replacing a fuse on the motor (I think). It was about half the price of replacing like with like. It was an integrated one - they are easy to get out if you know what you are doing.

Yes the repair man has been out twice. He said it’s beyond repair.

We did this. I hated the integrated dishwasher, so when it died we replaced with a freestanding one.
Chopped the kick board to fit and its fab.

Yes we did this. I measured the gap first several times to make sure it would be OK though, and we just removed the kick board at the bottom.

A word of warning, if you get Curry’s Know How to do this there’s a risk they will simply not understand the concept of removing a fitted one and replacing it with a free standing one and send the wrong people with the wrong tools. Twice...

I was similar as was fed up with integrated appliances breaking and the nightmare of replacing them. Fortunately we now have a utility and so nearly all,in there freestanding. However, not practical with the dishwasher.

However, what we found as I watched husband do it, is that dishwashers are the simplest integrated appliance to change. Simply took the plinth off, unscrewed the front panel cover (4 screws) unscrewed the pipes and did the same in reverse with the new one. Took 30 mins to do. I would recommend you stick with integrated and they are reasonably cheap to buy online

Our integrated one was just like a Naked dishwasher...no white shiny outside and plenty of odd screwholes for sides/doors to be fixed to, so it just pulled out and the new freestanding one was pushed in.

Check height and depth. Built ins may be slightly smaller as they do not have the outer cabinet.

We couldn’t get the front panel off ours, so we’d have had to replace that as well, which would have been difficult as the kitchen is quite old. Just something to consider.

Built in ones aren't much more expensive than free standing, and very easy to fit yourself. Why would you replace worth a free standing?

Check what’s behind your kickboard first as your floor level may not be the same under the cupboards.
We have done it, although with hindsight it was less faff when we replaced the integrated one like for like as we needed to put a new support under the countertop, as well as raising the floor level to meet the kitchen flooring which hadn’t been laid all the way under the fitted units.
Cutting the kickboard was easy.

The floor is the same height under the units. No issue there. I’m worried it’s holding the worktop up though. It’s a slimline and they are expensive as built in. I want something that’s easy to replace if it breaks again.

Ours is not supporting the worktop above.

This is the end unit so I’m worried. I need to get in there and look.

You could probably fit brackets or a baton to support if needs be. Is there an end panel?

Until I get the dishwasher out, I don’t know if there is an end panel. I’m looking for the photos I took of the installation to see if I took a photo.

The worktop isn’t the original one.

Can potentially be done; some things to be aware of;

Check the space requirements of the freestanding dishwasher; integrated appliances are 600mm whereas some freestanding appliances require up to 630mm to allow for ventilation and movement.

Even if it physically fits; you may invalidate the warranty if it develops a fault and the space requirements have been ignored.

If you have contrasting interiors; (anthracite doors on white cabinets, for example) then you may be able to see the white cabinet down by the side of the appliance.

Conversely; if the appliance that you purchase has a greater depth than your kitchen furniture, the dishwasher may stick out from the run.

The worktop should already be supported against the wall with a panel (or a batten/bracket) but check anyway, especially if there will be a gap between the top of the dishwasher and the underside of the worktop.

The plinth/kickboard will need to be shortened as has been mentioned above, and may need to be mitred around the neighbouring unit.

If you just cut the plinth you may end up with an unsightly unfinished edge and possibly a gap between the freestanding appliance and the neighbouring unit.

@MTJTD thanks.

It doesn’t matter if the freestanding one sticks out. It’s not going to be an issue. It’s in the corner on an end.

It’s a slimline so not sure of dimensions for that. That is something concerning me.

The colour of the door etc isn’t a factor. It’s not a terribly matching kitchen now. Various things have been replaced.