If you’re ordering ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets or pre-assembled cabinets, the fastest way to save money and avoid delays is simple: measure your kitchen like a pro. Most cabinet ordering mistakes don’t happen because the cabinets were “wrong” — they happen because the room was measured incorrectly, or a key detail was missing (like soffits, door swings, or appliance clearances).
This guide walks you through the exact measurement workflow contractors use when preparing a cabinet takeoff. And if you’d rather skip the stress, Riley & Higgs offers free design services — send your measurements and photos, and our team will build a complete cabinet layout and item list for you.
Who this guide is for
· Homeowners planning a kitchen remodel or new build
· Contractors preparing a cabinet quote
· Short-term rental (STR) and multi-unit owners standardizing renovations
· Anyone ordering RTA kitchen cabinets online
Tools you’ll need (don’t overcomplicate this)
· 25 ft tape measure (or laser measure)
· Notebook or printed kitchen measurement worksheet
· Pencil + eraser (yes, really)
· Level (optional but helpful)
· Smartphone for photos and videos
· Painter’s tape to label walls (optional)
Step 1: Start with a simple sketch
Draw your kitchen as a bird’s-eye floor plan. You don’t need CAD software — a rough sketch is enough.
· Label each wall A, B, C, D
· Mark doors, windows, and openings
· Show the location of sinks, stoves, and refrigerators
· Indicate where the kitchen opens into other rooms (no wall)
Step 2: Measure wall-to-wall dimensions
Measure each wall length at least twice. Contractors usually measure at baseboard height and again at countertop height to catch out-of-square walls.
· Record the total length of each wall
· Measure corner-to-window, corner-to-door, and corner-to-opening distances
· Note any bumps, jogs, or columns
Step 3: Measure ceiling height and soffits
Cabinet planning changes dramatically with height. A kitchen with 8 ft ceilings can use a different wall cabinet stack than a kitchen with 9–10 ft ceilings.
· Measure floor-to-ceiling height in multiple spots
· If you have soffits: measure soffit depth, soffit height from floor, and length
· If ceilings slope: mark the high point and low point
Step 4: Doors, windows, and trim (the most missed details)
Door swings and window trim can destroy a cabinet plan if they’re not documented.
· Door width and swing direction
· Distance from corner to door casing/trim
· Window width and height
· Window sill height from floor
· Trim depth (how far it sticks out)
Step 5: Appliances and utilities — measure what matters
This is where homeowners often guess, and contractors get precise. Appliance specs affect cabinet sizing, filler widths, and clearances.
· Refrigerator width, depth, height + door swing
· Range width (30" is common, but verify)
· Microwave/hood setup (under-cabinet, insert hood, wall hood)
· Dishwasher width (usually 24")
· Plumbing location under sink (centerline from corner)
· Electrical outlets and switches near cabinet runs
Step 6: Mark obstacles and ‘no cabinet zones’
Identify anything that blocks cabinetry or affects installation.
· HVAC vents (floor and wall)
· Radiators
· Baseboard heaters
· Bulkheads
· Odd wall angles
· Existing flooring transitions
Contractor-level checklist: the cabinet takeoff essentials
· Confirm wall lengths and ceiling height
· Record window sill height and trim depth
· Verify appliance widths (don’t assume 30")
· Note all openings and clearances
· Mark the sink base location and plumbing centerline
· Identify corners: blind corner vs lazy Susan
· Confirm island dimensions (if any) and walkway clearances
Common measuring mistakes (and how to avoid them)
1. Measuring only once. Always measure twice from both directions.
2. Ignoring trim thickness. Casing can steal 1–2 inches.
3. Not confirming appliances. Appliance swaps change everything.
4. Forgetting door swings. This can block drawers and pantry doors.
5. Missing soffits. Soffits limit cabinet height options.
6. Assuming walls are square. Many kitchens aren’t.
What to do next: get a full cabinet layout (free)
Once you have measurements, you have two options:
· DIY approach: build your own cabinet list and price it out
· Pro approach: send your measurements to Riley & Higgs for free design services
With free design, you’ll get a complete cabinet layout and an itemized cabinet list sized for your exact space. This is especially valuable if you’re ordering a full kitchen cabinet set or planning multiple units.