RTA Cabinets Just Arrived? What to Check Before You Start Building

Put the screwdriver down. Your DIY kitchen cabinets are here; the boxes look great, and every instinct says start building. A broken panel or a sink base that doesn’t fit is easier to address before installation. Once the countertop template has been made, correcting the issue could delay your project by a week.

We ship cabinets to DIYers, and the pattern never changes. Smooth projects start with a slow inspection. Here’s the order we recommend from the curb to the first look.

Why Is Checking The Cabinets So Important?

Your cabinets set the foundation for the entire kitchen installation. All other trades- plumbing, appliances, countertops, backsplash- rely on them.

A cabinet that doesn't fit well or that is not installed properly causes problems for everybody down the line. We have seen an incorrectly labeled appliance cabinet hold up a countertop installation. It can be detected easily enough on the delivery day using a measuring tape in under five minutes.

Work through this list in order, in daylight, with a second set of eyes if you can.

What to Check Before Assembling Your DIY Kitchen Cabinets

Prior to assembling your DIY kitchen cabinets, run through these essential checks to catch issues beforehand.

1. Before Unpacking All the Contents: Check the Packaging

Start with the outside of each box. Shipping damage isn't always obvious once the packaging is removed, so inspect the cartons before opening them.

Things to look out for include:

• Boxes with crushed or torn corners.
• Boxes showing punctures, dents, or splits.
• Wet or damp packaging.
• Damaged pallets or packaging.

Take photos of the damage together with the shipping label and the boxes showing the damage. Make sure to take note of everything in case there is room for damage reporting on the delivery paperwork.

Finally, carefully open the boxes. Try not to cut into the packaging too much, as a utility knife may scratch a completed panel or door.

2. Inspect the Cabinet Components Against Your Order

After opening the cartons of your DIY kitchen cabinet, check the components against your order form and the plan for your kitchen design. It may happen that the cabinet delivery arrives without any noticeable damage in transit but still has an error in the cabinet’s size, style, or number of pieces.

Check the following:

• Cabinet width, height, and depth measurements.
• Base, wall, corner, and sink cabinets.
• Styles, finishes, and colors of doors.
• Fillers, toe kicks, end panels, and molding.
• Number of cabinets and cabinet components delivered.

Special attention should be paid to the cabinets installed next to the appliances or corners of your kitchen. Even a small sizing error can throw off the surrounding cabinet layout.

Take pictures of the damaged or incorrect item with its number. You can connect with our experts before installing anything to avoid further delays in your installation process.

3. Examine the Panels, Doors and Frames for Damage

Next, go piece by piece. A perfect box can still hide a chipped corner or a scratch, and those are far easier to spot on a flat panel than on a built cabinet.

Inspect the following:

• Cabinet sides, bottoms, and backs.
• Shelf supports and face frames.
• Door panels and drawer fronts.
• Corners and pre-drilled holes.
• Edges and exposed surfaces.

Look for cracks, splits, warping, and chipped panel edges. Inspect the doors and drawer fronts carefully under adequate lighting because finish defects may be hard to notice in a dimly lit room.

Don’t build with a damaged panel, even if you think the crack will end up hidden. A crack near a screw or cam-lock hole can spread when you tighten the hardware. Take photos of the damaged piece and set it aside from the pieces you intend to use.

4. Count and Inspect All Cabinet Hardware

The panels of the cabinets are just one part of the package; you will also need the proper hardware to mount the cabinets and make sure the doors and drawers function as they should.

Prior to assembling the DIY kitchen cabinets, check the hardware supplied against the parts list and the assembly instructions. Make sure you have the right tools that can help you work more accurately.

Make sure you have:

• Screws and other connecting hardware.
• Hinges and hinge mounting plates.
• Slides and mounting accessories for the drawers.
• Shelf supports.
• Handles and knobs or any other accessories you have ordered.

Make sure the number of fittings matches the requirements, and check for any bent, broken, or damaged fittings. Smaller hardware should be kept in labeled plastic bags or boxes instead of being scattered across your work area.

Additionally, confirm that the hinges and slide assemblies are consistent with your order. Depending on your cabinet selection, different types of hardware for the cabinets are available, so do not take this for granted.

If any fittings are missing, do not use another type of screw or fitting instead. It may alter the way the cabinet functions.

5. Check the Measurements Before Assembly

Although matching the cabinet labels to your order is a good way to start, you should measure the cabinet components before assembling them. It will be especially helpful if there are tight corners, built-in appliances, or a sink base with plumbing in your kitchen.

Measure the cabinet components according to product specifications and then compare the layout you have planned to the real kitchen dimensions.

Here is what you need to check:

• Length of walls and available space for cabinets.
• Width and depth of cabinets.
• Ceiling height and clearance for upper cabinets.
• Space near refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers.
• Plumbing and electrical connections.
• Dimensions and position of a kitchen island, if it is present in your kitchen.

Note that your kitchen may not fit the initial measurements precisely. Walls may be uneven, corners may not be square, and the floor surface may be sloped. Finding out about these details will help you plan your actions before installing your cabinets.

When you see that some measurements are incorrect, make sure to recheck them before making changes to the components.

6. Solve Issues Before Beginning Assembly

If anything is missing, damaged, or the wrong size, contact our support team with your order number, the part number, and your photos.

Take a picture, record the part number, and save the package for your reference. It’s best to refrain from drilling, cutting, and assembling the parts until you are sure about the matter.

Ready to Assemble Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Before your installation process begins, it is important to take some preparatory steps in advance. Opening the packaging, checking the measurements, examining the finish, and inventorying the hardware can help you spot any potential issues.

Here at Cabinet DIY, we want your DIY kitchen cabinet project to start with the right parts, a clear installation plan, and proper planning. Once all the issues are sorted out, it’s time to organize your work area and proceed with assembly.