I found the following checklist to be very helpful when working with clients and designers alike. I had my own template when I first started doing this but then found Ellens and have been using it ever since.




This kitchen plan locates the dishwasher in a raised position with a microwave above, making both appliances easy to reach. The refrigerator is a decorative highlight of the room, rather than being hidden behind panels.

By Ellen Cheever

March 2009

An Appliance Checklist

Whenever learning about new appliances, or locating units you are familiar with, if your responsibilities include specifying all mechanicals and other material details, you may want to review the checklist developed for the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Professional Resource Library volume “Kitchen & Bath Products.” I developed this chart many years ago for my private practice because I found I made too many mistakes around the details of appliance placement or the mechanical requirements in my designs. I hope this information prevents any profit slippage for you.

Many designers may have a bit more time on their hands in this first quarter of 2009. I urge you to take any professional free time you have and begin a new search – narrowly focused on appliance innovations. Search the Web, read trade journals, visit respected appliance stores or distributor showrooms. Then create an appliance idea book. Promise yourself to offer the consumer at least one new approach for the appliances with each design solution you present. You can expand this professional education right at your desk by enjoying “what if” solution-focused discussions with your colleagues at the office as well.

The benefit? Prospective clients will be intrigued with your design abilities…so much so, in fact, they will retain you to design their new kitchen!.

APPLIANCE CHECKLIST

Use this Appliance Checklist as you complete the final specifications for each kitchen project you work on. It will help you estimate and specify all of the planning details of appliance placement.

REFRIGERATOR INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Required door swing/drawer opening dimension verified. _______
2. Overall appliance depth (including air space and handles) listed on plans. _______
3. Overall width, including air space and countertop overhang dimension,
determined before overhead cabinet width size and height specified. _______
4. Appliance doors drawn in an open position on the plan to verify walkway clearances. _______
5. Ice maker copper water lines/water filter specified. _______
6. Trim kits and/or panels have been ordered. Labor to install has been included in estimate. _______
7. Special handles ordered for integrated units. _______

SINK INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Number of sink holes and fitting placement has been specified on the plans. _______
2. Dishwasher air gap requirements have been met in design. _______
3. Method of securing sink to counter surface has been determined: _______
Flat rim with stainless steel rim and clip installation. _______
Self-rimming sink, color of caulking to be used between sink and countertop. _______
Under-mount sink. _______
Integral sink. _______

DISHWASHER INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Trim kits and/or panels have been ordered. Labor to install has been included in estimate. _______
2. Existing water lines and drain location to be reused. _______
New water line to be installed. _______
3. Existing dishwasher circuit to be reused. _______
New dishwasher circuit to be added. _______
4. Appliance door drawn in an open position on the plan to verify
walkway clearances. _______

TRASH COMPACTOR INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Trim kits and/or panels have been ordered. Labor to install has been included in estimate. _______
2. Existing compactor wiring to be reused. _______
New compactor wiring to be added. _______
3. Appliance door drawn in an open position on the plan to verify walkway clearances. _______

FOOD WASTE DISPOSER INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Unit to be batch fed _____ or switch operated _____. _______
2. Switch location located after considering primary user’s handedness. _______
3. Waste line no higher than 17" on center off the floor. _______

BACKSPLASH CONVENIENCE APPLIANCE INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Backsplash appliance does not interfere with wall stud placement. _______
2. Recess required for appliance is not obstructed by vents, ducts or pocket doors. _______
3. Recessed convenience appliances do not interfere with backsplash design or use. _______
4. Convenience outlets along backsplash do not interfere with built-in backsplash appliance location. _______
5. Heat generating backsplash appliances are not specified below task lighting that features a plastic diffuser. _______

DROP-IN OR FREE-STANDING RANGE INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Gas or electrical requirements:
Gas Size of existing gas line. _______
Existing gas line to be reused in its existing location. _______
Existing gas line to be relocated. _______
Diameter of new gas line required. _______
Electric Electrical amperage of existing line:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Electrical amperage requirement of new appliance:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Existing electrical line to be reused in its existing location. _______
Existing electrical line to be relocated. _______
New electrical line to be added. _______
2. Ventilation system specified on plans. _______
3. Drop-in range method of support and distance from floor to bottom of range specified on plans. _______
4. Countertop cut-out for drop-in units specified on plans. _______
5. Side clearance for drop-in units that have a flange overlapping adjacent cabinetry has been considered in the planning process. _______
6. Appliance overall depth, including handles, listed on the plans. _______
7. Appliance door drawn in an open position to verify walkway clearances. _______

BUILT-IN OVEN INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Gas or electrical requirements:
Gas Size of existing gas line. _______
Existing gas line to be reused in its existing location. _______
Existing gas line to be relocated. _______
Diameter of new gas line required. _______
Electric Electrical amperage of existing line:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Electrical amperage requirement of new appliance:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Existing electrical line to be reused in its existing location. _______
Existing electrical line to be relocated. _______
New electrical line to be added. _______
2. Ventilation requirement for new oven: Ducted _______ Non-ducted _______
3. Countertop overhang treatment against oven cabinet side to be:
Countertop extends past oven case. _______
Countertop ties into side of special depth oven cabinet. _______
Case depth to be ______________________________________.
Toe kick to be ________________________________________.
4. All dimensions are included in specifications and plans.
Overall appliance depth (including handles). _______
Appliance height placement in relationship to primary cook’s height. _______
Cut-out and overall dimensions. _______
5. For undercounter installation, manufacturer’s specifications have been verified for minimum cut-out height from the floor. _______

COOKTOP INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Gas or electrical requirements:
Gas Size of existing gas line. _______
Existing gas line to be recessed in its present location. _______
Existing gas line to be relocated. _______
Diameter of new gas line required. _______
Electric Electrical amperage of existing line:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Electrical amperage requirement of new appliance:
30 amp _______ 40 amp _______ 50 amp _______
Existing electrical line to be reused in its existing location. _______
Existing electrical line to be relocated. _______
New electrical line to be added. _______

2. Ventilation system specified on plans. _______
3. Can cabinet drawers be ordered below the oven? _______
4. Can roll-outs be installed below the cooktop? _______
5. All dimensions (cut-out and overall) are listed on the plan _______

MICROWAVE OVEN INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Dedicated electrical circuit specified. _______
2. Trim kit ordered with appliance. _______
Labor to install trim kit included in estimate. _______
3. Microwave oven placement is away from other heat generating appliances. _______
4. Microwave oven placement is away from television in the kitchen. _______
5. Appliance height has been determined in relation to the height of
the primary cook for both safety and convenience. _______
6. Cut-out and overall dimensions are listed on the plan. _______

VENTILATION HOOD INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS
1. Length of duct path from ventilation system to exterior termination point. _______
2. Number of elbow turns along duct path. _______
3. Ventilating unit’s (free air pressure) CFM rating. _______
Exist (static air pressure) CFM rating estimate. _______
4. Hood depth in relation to adjacent cabinetry. _______
5. Hood distance from cooking surface. _______
6. Hood width in relationship to cooktop width below. _______

Source: “Kitchen & Bath Products: Materials – Equipment – Surfaces” by Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, for the NKBA’s Professional Resource Library