GALAXSAW Handyman Services

Hi, I'm Alex, the owner of GALAXSAW Handyman Services. After working as a commercial carpenter on large-scale construction projects—including a new Nike facility in Beaverton—I discovered that I enjoy the personal side of construction: helping homeowners, landlords, and local businesses with smaller projects that need attention and quality workmanship.

Today, I provide reliable handyman services throughout the Portland metro area. I specialize in small residential and commercial projects that many larger contractors don't take on, including repairs and installations that can typically be completed in four hours or less. My experience includes electrical and plumbing fixture replacements, PEX-A and PEX-B plumbing work, door lock and hardware installation, door jamb repairs, and many other home maintenance and repair services.

I am proud to be part of the Home Depot Pro Services contractor network and have completed projects for local organizations, including Reynolds School District. I am licensed, bonded, and insured through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB #233510).

Whether you are a homeowner, landlord, or property manager, my goal is simple: provide dependable service, clear communication, and quality repairs you can trust.

Thank you for visiting GALAXSAW Handyman Services. I look forward to helping with your next project.

Electric & Gas Cooktop Installation and Replacement

Replacing a built-in cooktop is not always as simple as removing the old unit and dropping the new one into the countertop. Even when two cooktops appear to be the same size, their required countertop openings can be different.

GALAXSAW provides electric and gas cooktop installation and replacement for residential customers in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding metro area. One of the useful parts of our service is the ability to evaluate and, when appropriate, modify an existing countertop opening so a replacement cooktop can fit properly.

Electric Cooktop Installation

Electric cooktops come in many different sizes and configurations, including traditional electric, radiant, ceramic-glass, and induction models.

If you are replacing an existing electric cooktop, the first thing to consider is not just the overall width of the new appliance, but the manufacturer's required cutout dimensions. The new cooktop may require an opening that is slightly different from the existing one.

When appropriate, GALAXSAW can modify the existing countertop opening to accommodate the new cooktop. This can be particularly useful when the new unit requires a slightly larger opening and there is enough countertop and cabinet space available for the modification.

The electrical connection itself must also be appropriate for the specific cooktop. If the installation requires new electrical wiring, a new circuit, breaker changes, or other electrical work outside the scope of our service, an appropriately licensed electrician may be required.

Gas Cooktop Installation

Gas cooktops also require a properly sized countertop opening, adequate clearance, and an appropriate gas connection.

If you are replacing an existing gas cooktop, the new model may have different cutout dimensions from the old one. In suitable situations, the existing countertop opening can be modified to accommodate the replacement.

Gas connections and gas piping must be handled according to applicable requirements. Depending on the existing installation and the work required, licensed gas or plumbing professionals may be necessary for portions of the project.

If you are switching from one fuel type to another—for example, replacing an electric cooktop with a gas cooktop or a gas cooktop with an electric or induction model—the project can involve substantially more than changing the appliance itself. New gas or electrical infrastructure may be required and should be evaluated before purchasing the new cooktop.

Modifying the Existing Countertop Opening

One of the most common problems with cooktop replacement is that the new cooktop does not require exactly the same countertop opening as the old one.

In some cases, the difference is small enough that the existing opening can be modified rather than replacing the entire countertop.

GALAXSAW can evaluate and, when appropriate, enlarge an existing cooktop opening to accommodate the new appliance. The amount of modification possible depends on the dimensions of the new cooktop, the existing opening, the available countertop material, and the cabinet structure underneath.

A new cooktop cannot simply be made to fit any opening. There must be enough countertop material and cabinet space around the opening to maintain the required support and installation clearances.

This is why it is important to compare the manufacturer's required cutout dimensions with your existing opening before purchasing a replacement.

Granite, Stone, Laminate & Other Countertops

The countertop material makes a significant difference when modifying a cooktop opening.

Depending on the existing countertop, GALAXSAW can evaluate modifications involving materials such as granite, stone, Formica/laminate, and tile.

Hard countertop materials require appropriate tools and careful cutting to create the required opening without unnecessarily damaging the surrounding surface.

Tile countertops require additional consideration. If the existing cooktop has to be removed from a tiled surface, smaller tiles can sometimes crack or become damaged during removal. In some situations, the original tiles can be placed back and regrouted, but this cannot always be guaranteed.

If your cooktop is installed into a tile countertop, please mention this when requesting service and provide photos of the installation.

When the Existing Opening Is Slightly Too Small

If your new cooktop requires a somewhat larger cutout than your existing cooktop, this does not necessarily mean that you need a new countertop.

Depending on the available space, the existing opening may be able to be enlarged to meet the new cooktop's required dimensions.

This is one of the situations where sending us the specifications for the new cooktop is especially helpful. We can compare the required cutout with the existing opening and determine whether the difference appears to be within the range of a reasonable modification.

What About an Opening That Is Too Large?

A cooktop replacement is more complicated when the existing opening is larger than the required opening for the new appliance.

Making a countertop opening smaller is generally not as simple as making it larger. The cooktop must have adequate support around its perimeter, and the finished installation needs to meet the manufacturer's requirements.

If the existing opening is substantially larger than the new cooktop's required cutout, additional countertop work or a different appliance may be necessary.

For this reason, if you are shopping for a replacement cooktop, don't purchase the new model based only on the advertised width. Check the manufacturer's cutout dimensions first.

Replacing a Cooktop With a Different Size

Changing from one cooktop size to another can sometimes be possible, but the actual dimensions of the countertop opening and the available cabinet space are what matter.

For example, replacing one 30-inch cooktop with another 30-inch cooktop does not necessarily mean that the cutouts will be identical. Likewise, moving to a larger cooktop may require more countertop and cabinet space than is available.

Before purchasing a different-size cooktop, compare:

Overall cooktop dimensions
Required countertop cutout width
Required cutout depth
Required countertop clearance
Cabinet space below the cooktop
Electrical or gas requirements
Manufacturer's installation requirements

If you send us the model number of the cooktop you are considering, along with photos and measurements of the existing installation, we can evaluate the project before scheduling whenever possible.

Customer-Purchased Cooktops

You do not need to purchase your cooktop through GALAXSAW. If you already purchased a new electric or gas cooktop, we can evaluate the unit and the existing installation to determine whether the project is suitable for our service.

Before installation, it is helpful to have:

Manufacturer and model number
Installation instructions
Required countertop cutout dimensions
Photos of the existing cooktop
Photos of the countertop around the cooktop
Measurements of the existing opening
Photos of the cabinet space underneath
Information about the existing electrical or gas connection

Having this information beforehand can help prevent a situation where the new cooktop arrives but cannot be installed without additional work.

Removal & Disposal of the Old Cooktop

Standard cooktop replacement does not include hauling away the old cooktop.

If you would like GALAXSAW to take away the removed appliance, disposal or haul-away may be available for an additional charge. Please mention this when requesting service so it can be discussed before the appointment.

Electric-to-Gas or Gas-to-Electric Conversion

Changing the type of cooktop can be significantly more complicated than replacing one appliance with another of the same type.

For example, changing from an electric cooktop to gas may require an appropriate gas supply, while changing from gas to electric may require electrical capacity and wiring suitable for the new appliance.

GALAXSAW can evaluate the physical installation and countertop requirements, but new electrical circuits, gas piping, or other specialized work may require appropriately licensed professionals. Oregon requires appropriate contractor licensing for electrical and plumbing work, and gas-piping work has additional regulatory requirements.

Electric & Gas Cooktop Installation in Portland

GALAXSAW provides electric cooktop and gas cooktop installation and replacement in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding Portland metro area.

Whether you are replacing an existing cooktop, installing a customer-purchased appliance, or need an existing countertop opening modified to accommodate a new model, send us the cooktop information along with photos and measurements whenever possible.

The more information available before the appointment, the easier it is to determine whether the new cooktop will work with your existing countertop and cabinet configuration.