Keep the approved design
Save the final drawing set with its revision date, the project reference and any approved changes. If an item was revised after the first approval, retain the updated drawing and identify which version replaces the earlier one.
Useful records include cabinet layouts, important dimensions, appliance references and details that affect access or installation. Keep the project agreement alongside them so the drawings and the agreed scope can be read together.
Keep the coordination drawings and site records
Ask which coordination documents are included in your project. Where relevant, keep the plan and wall elevations showing cabinet positions, finished-floor references, support zones, utility locations and service access. File the selected appliance instructions with the drawings.
Retain dated photos of concealed backing and rough-ins, labeled by wall or cabinet. Record changes made on site so the final records reflect what was installed. A photograph without a location or reference measurement may be difficult to use later.
The cabinet designer, fabricator, contractor and trades should agree who prepares and checks each item. This folder does not replace electrical, plumbing or structural documents required for the project.
Record materials and finish references
For cabinet boxes, record the selected manufacturer and product, core material, panel thickness and interior finish where specified. Identify visible ends, shelves and edges separately if their materials differ from the cabinet interior.
For doors and drawer fronts, keep the style name, material, finish or decor code, sheen and approved sample reference. For veneer, retain notes on grain direction and any agreed layout. Record glass type and frame finish for display cabinets.
A paint color name alone does not identify the complete coating system. Keep the finish information and care instructions as well as the color reference. If the color was selected from Benjamin Moore, retain its name and number with the approved sample.
Identify hardware and lighting
Save manufacturer names, product series and part numbers for hinges, drawer slides, handles and accessories when available. A photo can help identify a component, but an exact product reference is more useful when ordering a replacement.
For integrated lighting, keep the component information provided for the installed system, including the light source, profile, diffuser, driver and controls. Note where the driver and other serviceable parts can be reached. Replacement components should be checked for compatibility by the appropriate installer.
Use a simple lighting and access schedule
A short schedule can connect the design to the installed parts. Give each lighting zone an ID that appears on the drawings. Record the product references and who will confirm compatibility, installation and service access. The entries below are an example of what to record, not selected products or installation locations.
| Record | Example entry to complete |
|---|---|
| Lighting zone | L1 — under-cabinet task lighting; match the marked run on the elevation. |
| Components | Light, profile, diffuser, driver and control: manufacturer and exact model numbers. |
| Electrical coordination | Supply location, cable route and switching: confirmed by the responsible electrician and lighting installer. |
| Access | Describe how the driver and connections can be reached without removing permanent finishes. |
| Handover | As-installed location, installation instructions and service contact. |
Keep care and service information together
File the care instructions for each selected surface and the instructions supplied with the hardware. A cabinet may combine painted fronts, a laminate interior, veneer shelves and glass; those surfaces do not necessarily use the same cleaning products.
Include a service contact, dated installation photos and any walkthrough list of outstanding work. Keep the separate written warranty documents and refer to their actual terms. A specification record identifies the cabinetry; it does not create a separate warranty or certification.
A checklist for your project folder
- Final drawings, revision dates and approved changes
- Coordination drawings and a record of the actual rough-ins
- Labeled photos of concealed support before wall closure
- Material, decor, color, sheen and approved sample references
- Hardware and lighting models, controls and access locations
- Appliance installation instructions
- Care guidance for the installed finishes
- Walkthrough notes, service contacts, agreement and written warranties
Confirm which records are included in your project and request missing information while the selections and concealed work are still easy to identify. Keeping these records does not create a separate warranty or certification.