For appliance openings always have the specks for the appliance before setting the cabinets, or better yet have the appliances there to do a measure of the actual unit. Some appliances only have tolerances of a 1/16" on each side, so accuracy is a must.

Stoves and hoods need to be exact, usually an even 30", 36", or 48". Make sure the openings are plumb with the hood and stove,(Figure 1). The counter top measure people usually like to have the stove installed before the measure.

Dishwashers usually have an opening of 24" even. Sometimes some foreign brands of dishwashers run a little skinny, so it is best to measure the actual unit itself.(figure 2)

Refrigerators can sometimes be a tight 36" opening. Built in refrigerators have this tiny lip on the sides that lip onto the fridge panels, so they have to be perfectly plumb. Unfortunately, often the fridge panels come a little warped which makes the installation of the built in refrigerator tough. Built In's usually have an opening of 3' or 4' even.(figure 3)

When there is a built in oven or microwave sometimes the opening in the cabinet comes from the manufacturer already cut, and sometimes it does not. If you need to cut this on site it is not an easy cut. I tape up the cabinet with some blue tape and cut the opening with a skill saw, and hand saw. The built in microwaves come with a trim kit to hide the opening,(figure 4). The trim kits are usually sold separately.

If the kitchen has the apron style cook top, then the entire top of the cabinet may need to be cut off to accommodate the cook top. Check the installation directions or measure the unit for height. Think about how thick your counter tops are and how you want the cook top relative to that. To cut the top of the cabinet, clamp on a strait edge, and use a skill saw. Be sure to use some blue tape to protect the cabinet and have a sharp blade on your saw!

For more detail on individual appliances see the Refrigerator Guide, Dishwasher Guide, Range Cooktop Guide, Range Hood Guide, at the online Kitchen Remodeling Guide Book.

See this web page for more information on rough wiring a kitchen.