Measure the opening, access path, utilities, ventilation, and door swing before ordering a refrigerator, washer, dryer, range, or dishwasher.
What to prioritize
- Measure the appliance opening at several points because walls and floors may not be perfectly square.
- Measure every doorway, hallway turn, stair, and elevator on the delivery path.
- Record outlet, gas, water, drain, and vent locations.
What to compare before buying
- Required side/top/rear clearances from the manufacturer.
- Door and drawer swing with adjacent cabinets, walls, or islands.
- Whether delivery includes installation, haul-away, hoses, cords, or conversion parts.
Good first purchases
- A reliable tape measure and photos of the space and connections.
- Model-specific installation dimensions before purchase.
- Protective floor covering for delivery day if appropriate.
What can wait
- Ordering from nominal cabinet width alone.
- Assuming an old appliance size matches a new model in every dimension.
- Buying accessories before the exact model is selected.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring refrigerator hinge clearance or dryer vent depth.
- Forgetting baseboards and countertop overhang.
- Measuring only the destination instead of the delivery path.
Bottom line
Large appliance mistakes are expensive. Verify the manufacturer's installation drawing, not only the retailer's headline dimensions.
Prices, models, availability, and compatibility can change. Verify measurements and current retailer details before buying.