Kitchen Cabinet Design Appointment Checklist

Bring room measurements, kitchen photos, appliance details, and your project goals to a kitchen cabinet design appointment.

These materials help explain your space and the changes you want to make. They also help identify questions that need answers before your cabinet layout and order can be finalized.

Use this checklist to prepare for your appointment with DIY Depot USA in Bakersfield.

1. Bring a Sketch of Your Kitchen

Draw your kitchen from above and label each wall.

Show the locations of:

Windows and doorways
Sink
Refrigerator
Range or cooktop
Dishwasher
Wall oven or microwave
Island or peninsula
Openings to adjoining rooms

Your sketch does not need to look like a construction drawing. It needs to show how the room connects and where its features are located.

Mark anything you want to move, remove, or keep.

2. Record Room Measurements

Add measurements to your sketch in inches.

Include:

Full wall lengths
Wall sections between corners and openings
Window and doorway dimensions, including trim
Ceiling heights
Soffits, beams, and other obstructions
Island or peninsula dimensions, if present

Label any measurement you could not verify.

If you plan to change flooring or walls, explain those changes during the appointment. The finished room dimensions need to be considered in the cabinet plan.

Follow How to Measure Your Kitchen for Cabinets to gather your measurements.

3. Take Photos of Every Wall

Photograph each wall and take views from several corners of the room.

Include:

The kitchen as a whole
Windows and doorways
Ceiling obstructions
Appliance locations
Plumbing connections
Areas where doors or drawers interfere
Adjoining spaces that affect the layout

Match your photos to the wall labels on your sketch.

Photos provide context, but they do not replace measurements.

4. Gather Appliance Specifications

Bring model numbers and installation specifications for appliances you intend to keep or purchase.

Include:

Refrigerator
Range or cooktop
Wall oven
Microwave
Dishwasher
Range hood

The specifications should identify required openings, ventilation, and clearances.

If you have not selected appliances, say so. Identify which selections remain open before treating the cabinet layout as final.

Bring sink specifications too, if you have chosen one. The sink’s requirements affect sink base selection.

5. Identify Utility Locations and Planned Changes

Mark the locations of:

Sink drain and water connections
Gas connection
Electrical outlets and switches
Refrigerator water connection
Exhaust duct
Heating and cooling vents

Explain whether you intend to keep or relocate them.

If another professional is planning that work, bring the proposed information or drawings. Cabinet placement needs to coordinate with the work being done.

6. Make a Storage Wish List

Write down what you need to store and what does not work in your current kitchen.

Examples include:

More space for pots and pans
Drawers for cooking utensils
Storage for baking sheets
A location for countertop appliances
Pantry storage
Space for waste and recycling bins
Access to frequently used dishes

Measure items that need a specific storage location, such as a mixer, serving platter, or stockpot.

Explain how you use the kitchen and who uses it. That information helps guide cabinet configurations and placement.

7. Bring Cabinet and Finish Inspiration

Save a few photos that show the cabinet styles and finishes you are considering.

For each photo, identify what you like:

Door style
Cabinet color
Woodgrain appearance
Hardware
Cabinet height
Island arrangement
Trim details

Separate the features you want from features that simply appear in the picture.

If you are keeping countertops, flooring, or backsplash materials, bring photos or samples when available.

Ask to review cabinet finish samples rather than relying on screen colors alone.

8. Set a Project Budget

Decide what your budget needs to cover.

Separate cabinet spending from other project costs, including:

Assembly
Installation
Countertops
Appliances
Plumbing and electrical work
Flooring
Demolition
Delivery
Taxes

Share your priorities. For example, you may want to focus spending on drawer storage while choosing another configuration elsewhere.

A budget helps guide the discussion toward options you can evaluate for your project.

9. Explain Your Timeline

Bring your target dates and explain which parts of the schedule are already arranged.

Discuss:

When you hope to order
Whether demolition has started
Installer availability
Appliance arrival dates
Countertop scheduling
Any move-in or occupancy date

Ask about current product availability and estimated timing before committing other work to a cabinet delivery date.

10. Bring Information About Who Will Do the Work

Identify who will handle:

Measurement verification
Cabinet assembly
Installation
Countertops
Plumbing
Electrical work
Appliance connections

If you have an installer, ask what information they need from the cabinet plan.

If responsibilities remain undecided, list them as questions to resolve.

11. Bring Existing Plans or Quotes

If you already have a cabinet drawing or quote, bring the itemized version.

It should show cabinet dimensions, quantities, configurations, finishing pieces, and included services.

This helps you discuss differences in layout and scope.

For help reviewing estimates, read How to Compare Kitchen Cabinet Quotes.

Questions to Ask During Your Appointment

Use the appointment to clarify:

Which cabinet options suit my layout?
What information is still needed?
Which measurements need verification?
What fillers, panels, and trim does the plan require?
Are my appliances and sink compatible with the layout?
What does the quote include?
How will cabinets arrive?
What assembly or installation work must I arrange?
What availability and timing should I plan around?
What must be confirmed before ordering?

Keep a record of the answers and any changes made to your plan.