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Kitchen layout and appliance clearances before rough-in checklist

A pre-rough-in kitchen layout checklist for finished-wall dimensions, cabinet and filler geometry, appliance models and openings, door and drawer collisions, work aisles and landing areas, sink and cooktop locations, ventilation capture, service access, accessibility goals, floor and countertop buildup, island position, structural support, utilities, and written approval before plumbing, wiring, gas, ductwork, blocking, or cabinet ordering locks in the plan.

6 items to check

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All dimensions are tied to finished walls, floors, panels, fillers, and countertop edges

Critical item

Layout should include actual finish buildup and construction tolerances.

Refrigerator, range, cooktop, ovens, dishwasher, microwave, hood, and specialty appliance openings match selected models

Critical item

Actual installation drawings should control opening, clearance, ventilation, utility, and service dimensions.

Doors, drawers, appliances, seating, circulation, landing areas, and work zones can operate together

Critical item

Normal use should not create collisions, trapped users, unsafe hot-work paths, or blocked access.

Sink, faucet, disposal, cooktop, hood, makeup air where applicable, and exhaust route are coordinated

Critical item

Wet and cooking zones should align with structure, cabinets, windows, utilities, capture area, duct route, and product requirements.

Panels, shutoffs, valves, traps, junctions, filters, motors, anchors, and structural supports remain serviceable

Critical item

Required access and load transfer should not depend on removing permanent finishes improperly.

The coordinated plan, product schedule, dimensions, unresolved decisions, and field changes are approved before rough-in

Dependent trades should work from one dated baseline.

Use before trade rough-in and before cabinets or countertops are ordered. Field dimensions should be based on finished surfaces and actual selected equipment rather than generic nominal sizes. Do not energize exposed work, open or test gas piping, pressure-test plumbing, operate incomplete appliances, enter unsafe framing or attics, or modify structure without authorization. Licensed trades and the AHJ control required tests and approvals.

Reference standards

  • Approved kitchen and structural plans, appliance and cabinet specifications, adopted state and local building, residential, plumbing, fuel-gas, mechanical, electrical, energy, fire, accessibility, and health requirements, permit and inspection conditions, authority having jurisdiction requirements, signed scope and authorized changes, qualified design, and exact cabinet, countertop, appliance, ventilation, piping, wiring, fastening, and finish manufacturer instructions
  • Actual appliance, fixture, cabinet, hardware, hood, countertop, sink, faucet, disposal, water-treatment, and accessibility drawings

    • Tools

  • Current kitchen plan, elevations, appliance and fixture specifications, cabinet drawings, countertop details, permits, inspection records, selections, and change orders
  • Tape measure, level, camera, flashlight, product templates, owner-safe test tools, and dated photographs with dimensions
  • Qualified plumbing, gas, electrical, mechanical, cabinet, countertop, appliance, structural, and commissioning records where required

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