Kitchen Cabinet Installation Checklist for NZ Homes
A successful kitchen installation starts before the first cabinet is fixed to the wall. Use this checklist to organise the room, confirm the design, inspect the delivery and understand which work needs a qualified trade.
This is a preparation guide rather than a substitute for the instructions supplied with each product. Site conditions vary, so check the complete plan and seek professional advice where required.
1. Confirm the final kitchen plan
Before installation begins, check the complete cabinet sequence against the measured room. Confirm doors, windows, corners, appliance spaces, fillers, panels, benchtops and the opening direction of every door and drawer.
Use our kitchen measuring guide and planning advice if you need to review the room information.
2. Confirm appliances and services
Have the final appliance specifications available, including installation dimensions, ventilation requirements, door clearances and connection locations. Mark plumbing, electrical, gas and extraction points on the plan.
Electrical, gas and regulated plumbing work should be completed or checked by appropriately qualified tradespeople. Do not alter services simply to make an unverified cabinet layout fit.
3. Prepare the room
- Remove the old kitchen and clear the work area.
- Check that walls and floors are ready for installation.
- Locate and mark suitable fixing points or wall framing.
- Identify uneven floors, bowed walls and corners that are not square.
- Keep cabinet boxes dry, indoors and organised by unit.
Correcting room problems before installation is usually easier than trying to compensate after cabinets and benchtops are in place.
4. Organise tools and safety equipment
The tools needed depend on the room and the products being installed. Common items include a tape measure, pencil, spirit level, square, clamps, screwdrivers, drill or driver and suitable wall fixings.
Wear appropriate protective equipment and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using tools. Confirm that fixings are suitable for the wall construction and the load they will carry.
5. Check the delivery before assembly
- Compare the delivered boxes and components with the order documents.
- Inspect packaging and record any visible transit damage promptly.
- Keep components for each cabinet together.
- Find the correct assembly manual for every cabinet.
- Confirm that panels, fillers, toe kicks and hardware are present.
If a part is missing or damaged, follow the instructions on our assembly help page before continuing.
6. Assemble in a practical sequence
Read each product manual before starting and avoid opening every box at once. Assemble cabinets in an order that keeps the work area manageable and makes the planned installation sequence clear.
Keep fittings labelled and do not substitute fixings without confirming that they are appropriate for the component and location.
7. Establish level reference lines
Use the measured plan and a reliable level to mark reference lines. Find the highest point of the floor and check how floor variation will affect cabinet legs, toe kicks, appliance spaces and the finished benchtop height.
Cabinets should be aligned, level and securely fixed according to the applicable product and installation instructions before benchtops or appliances are fitted.
8. Check panels, fillers and toe kicks
Fit fillers where working clearance is required beside walls, corners or appliances. Use finished end panels where cabinet sides remain visible. Measure toe kicks only after the cabinet run is level and its final position is confirmed.
Toe-kick installation video
9. Complete final checks
- Every cabinet is level, aligned and securely fixed.
- Doors, drawers and appliances open without collisions.
- Panels and fillers cover the intended gaps and visible ends.
- Service connections remain accessible where required.
- Benchtop measurements are based on the installed cabinets.
- Protective films are handled in accordance with the product advice.
Need installation help?
Review the KC&S installation guides, browse the frequently asked questions, or contact a KC&S showroom before proceeding with anything you are unsure about.
Prepared by the Kitchen Cabinets & Stones team. Always follow the current instructions supplied with the product and use qualified tradespeople for regulated work.