Check the work before the walls are closed
If the remodel includes open walls, arrange a coordination check while the support and rough-ins are still visible. Use the current cabinet drawings, appliance installation instructions and lighting plan. Ask the contractor to involve the trades responsible for any unresolved work.
| Check | What the team should confirm |
|---|---|
| Wall support | The wall construction and any required backing match the selected cabinet fixing zones. Include lower or intermediate attachments where required. |
| Water, drains and ventilation | Locations work with the cabinet interiors, appliance instructions and required access. |
| Electrical | Appliance connections and everyday-use outlets have been reviewed against the cabinet layout by the electrician. |
| Cabinet lighting | Light runs, cable entries, controls and a serviceable power-supply location have been agreed. |
| Record of the work | Dated photos and reference measurements identify what will be hidden. Required inspections and any open items are recorded by the responsible parties. |
A coordination walkthrough does not replace a required inspection. If the walls are already finished, ask the installer and responsible trades to assess the existing conditions; do not assume backing is present or open the wall yourself.
Confirm access before delivery
Review the route from the delivery vehicle to the room. Narrow doors, stair turns, low ceilings and elevator dimensions can affect how large cabinet sections are brought inside. Share photos of difficult access points before the delivery is scheduled.
If your building has delivery hours, elevator reservations, contractor check-in procedures or insurance-document requirements, send those requirements to the project team early. Confirm parking and loading arrangements where applicable.
Prepare the room and a staging area
Clear the agreed work area and identify a clean, dry place for cabinets, doors and installation materials. Discuss protection for floors and the delivery route, and agree who will provide it. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
Tell the installer about remaining demolition, painting, flooring or other work that could affect the cabinetry. Leaks, damp surfaces and unfinished building repairs should be brought to the project team’s attention before delivery. Confirm suitable indoor conditions with the cabinet and finish suppliers.
Compare the actual rough-ins with the latest layout
Before delivery, compare the installed connections, appliance openings and support records with the approved drawings. Keep the final appliance model numbers and installation instructions available. Bring any discrepancy to the designer, contractor and affected trade before the cabinet covers it.
A last-minute appliance change can affect openings, clearances, utilities and ventilation. An earlier signoff does not automatically cover the replacement model.
Set the order of work
Agree on the sequence for flooring, cabinet installation, countertop measurement and installation, backsplash work, appliance placement and final connections. The right sequence depends on the products and the project; there is no single flooring rule that applies to every installation.
Confirm who handles each part of the work. Cabinet installation, countertop fabrication, plumbing connections, electrical work and appliance commissioning may be separate scopes. Required permits, licensed trades and building approvals should be coordinated with the responsible local professionals.
Keep one current set of drawings on site
Label the current drawings with their revision date. Mark superseded versions so nobody works from an old screenshot. When the cabinet layout, floor finish, appliance or utility location changes, have the affected team members review the consequences and record the decision.
Before confirming delivery, agree who is responsible for remaining site work and when it will be ready. Keep the delivery route, dry staging area, floor protection and access to service points clear.
Plan a walkthrough
Arrange a time to review the completed cabinetry with the installer. Check that doors and drawers operate as intended, agreed accessories are in place, and any remaining adjustments are documented. Note unresolved items with their locations and photos so they can be followed up clearly.
Ask where serviceable components are located and keep the product information and care instructions. Do not cover an access point or permanently close a panel that is intended to remain removable.