We ran into a little glitch: the cabinetmaker had measured, but before the demo and repair of walls. The wall repairs had affected the distances and so when the contractor got to the last base cabinet of each run -- it didn't fit! It took some creative thinking, and acceptance (on my part) of not-perfect alignment of one end upper and base -- hopefully no one but I will notice that the fillers are different widths there.

The moral is, ask them to measure the space again and measure the cabinets so they know just what they are dealing with before they start to hang the cabinets!

Treat the installers to coffee and donuts. Make sure you establish a very good level of communication now at the beginning of the project. Make sure they know that no question is to minor to ask. Make sure everyone has phone numbers to reach you so they can ask questions when something comes up. You never want to hear they made their own decision because no one could reach you. Check and double check every thing. Companies are not infallible. Wrong items get sent out to jobs and then get installed because no one double checked what arrived. The installers want to get in and get out with minimum fuss.

I read two posts today about problems on jobs..... the cooktop was 1/2" too big to allow the wall oven to be installed beneath it. Now no one knows who to blame for this problem and who will eat the mistake. The other problem involved a slate floor in a bath that was selected from a 2" sample and ....surprise it doesn't match the soapstone counter top, The second problem wouldn't have been a surprise if the box of material had been checked before it was installed.

If you want the manuals, warranties, instructions, paperwork that comes in the product boxes, set up a system for storing it. Otherwise EVERYTHING goes in the dumpster, including installation hardware sometimes. Crews will swear the missing item wasn't in a box when it arrived, and you'll be running all over town to get a replacement, so be available when things are unpacked.

No project ever goes without a bump or two. By starting off on the right foot, if you need someone to extend themselves to accommodate a request, it's more likely to be granted if you're all on the same team and not adversaries.

Oh, yes, communication.

Think about all the little things, how you want them, and proactively tell the crew boss as well as the GC. For example, what kind of sink you are using and where the drain will be (center, offcenter, to the rear?). What kind of undercabinet lights you are using and where you want them placed ( "You didn't tell me you wanted them at the front of the cabinet, if I'd known I would have wired differently!" "You didn't ask, I've never seen undercabinet lights next to the wall!" What color you want the outlets to be, even!

Many GC's have several crews. Ask for the best which means an experienced carpenter who works on installations also, not just cabinet installers. Don't be afraid to speak up that you want the best crew for your kitchen. Good luck. It's exciting!

Tape a copy of the elevations to each of the walls. And the floor plan. And anything that might be important to you should be illustrated with pictures as well as communication in writing. Like pull placement. Or the crown molding diagram. If you have cabinets that will have finished sides, and there are more than one of that size, be sure that you find the one with the finished side and label where it goes in the diagram with a sticky note, Fluorescent pink notes are good. They show up well,

Finally, cabinet installation is kinda like making sausage. It's better to deal with the finished product at the end of the process. You don't want to know what goes into the result. Don't hang over them and watch them. They will make adjustments, and use the touch up kit and do all kinds of "fixes" that you will freak out about if you see it before it's finished. That's normal. Just like a new car off the lot will actually have more than one ding or scratch touched up where you can't see, so will your cabinets. The important part is that it looks good when it's done, not in the middle of the process.

Heck with that.

Be there every single minute. Just sit back and drink some coffee. If you have a question, ask. However, reserve any panic or freak out for after its done.

I 2nd the plans and layouts all over the place. Definitely make certain you ask for the best installer/carpenter. Best = most experienced, IMHO.

I'd say your electrician is going to handle the wiring, and your plumber the drains. HOWEVER, your installers will have to make certain the stub ups are right, (without giant holes in the back of the cabinets) and any wiring is hidden between cabinets for the electrician.

Just be there for details and do not accept these horrible, dooming words: Good enough for now. Because later never, ever comes without a huge price tag and a lot of frustration.

Good luck tomorrow, I am so excited for you!!! you may want to slip some kahluah into your morning coffee until the install is done.

After reading on GW for a year or more before my install began, I knew things would happen. That was the best thing - just not freaking out over every little thing!

In the end, it has to be right. Correct look, sound construction, etc. And of course you need to be around or available for questions. But the minute to minute stuff will drive you batty. Don't watch too long!

Make sure everything is on site (cabinets, doors, hardware, inserts, moldings, etc). Have all specs (at least) and appliances (if possible) available. Make sure your installers know where the water shut off and panel box are located, they may want to verify certain circuits are off. Show them where the restroom is. Make sure they have your contact info.

Definitely check everything over each day. Make notes if need about problems. The boxes are harder to deal with after, ask right away if they don't look right. Cosmetic stuff on doors, alignment, etc will be touched up and fixed at the end. Don't let that upset you too much during the process. If something seems off, ask.

Once my kitchen was all installed and detailed, we had a walk through. Use a microfibercloth to remove any dust and hand prints. I had an elevation of each wall that I marked up with anything I was concerned about. I had told them all along I wouldn't be too worried until they were finished and had corrected things to their standard. We had already discussed a finish issue on several doors, which was an obvious factory issue.

I had the company owner go through and point out what he was replacing first, I knew he was not happy with some items. He was already taking care of most of my concerns. The remaining things we went through one by one, and he indicated what could be touched up, what would be taken care of with the conditioner they applied after the new doors were on, what was a pencil mark that would come off with an eraser (but not a dry microfiber cloth), and what was a problem. Only one additional item needed a replacement.

This was only a few weeks ago. But honestly, the areas I wasn't convinced about the touch up are fine. I couldn't even point them out without my diagram now, they really do blend, probably because they were minor to start with. And I already used my touch up kit to fix a large scratch from the hood install. It doesn't get direct light so it doesn't show much. I had to point it out to DH, and unless you are right in front of the range you can't tell it's there!

My replacement doors came in last week and will be installed Wednesday. I expected some replacements and a few weeks of waiting, so it didn't bother me. I know from GW that's pretty common so I just planned on it.

I hope things go well for you, it's a very exciting phase! It will look like a kitchen again!

Great tips, all. Thanks very much. I'm hopeful that being here will help things to go smoothly. I will go out and get the coffee and donuts, and have already set out a big labeled envelope for "manuals, warranty cards, instructions, spare parts" which I will point out to the workers. Fingers crossed!

Sigh.
I was ready. Doughnuts and OJ on the table, cheese board ready in fridge, grapes washed and snipped into small bunches.

They aren't coming this morning, probably not at all today. Drawers aren't done, and the scheduling guy didn't know until this morning! If I let myself be upset about it, I'll eat those doughnuts so I'm going to just let it go and save my energy - and serve them stale doughnuts tomorrow :(

kksmama,

So sorry about the change of plans. Don't eat the donuts. Maybe just a glass of wine........it's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Double check at the end of the day to make sure they're still on for tomorrow. Hard to keep expectations low after so much work and money.

Thanks, Beverly, how did you know those boston creams were calling my name? I dare not indulge in sugar or adult beverages today, things are changing too quickly. Seconds after I sent the post about the delay, another guy called to say he was on his way to deliver more cabs and do "a little" of the installation. I called the GC to emphasize, for the umpteenth time, that I am extraordinarily patient and would prefer delays to mistakes. I think he is going to postpone install until Friday or Monday and get the right crew on it (thank you for that encouragement, Sparklingwater and CEFreeman!)
You were all 100% right about needing to be here. The TKO understand how many decisions are made before construction begins, but I can see already that there are many decisions to be made during install and I'm really happy that I have a thorough understanding of my plans so that I can be the one to make them. I can imagine plans sufficiently detailed, clear, and "standard" being posted so that workers could follow them...but I don't think that is the way this kitchen is going to unfold.

Good job and d@mn them!

I thought of something else. Small, but can escalate.
Open and close all the doors and drawers. Not only to check their function, but to see if they're tight, hung correctly, missing screws, and how many shelves are in the cabinets.

Make certain nothing scrapes or bangs. Some of the bumps might be unavoidable, but I don't know your layout. If they're unavoidable, they should be supplying those little plastic bumpers -- or check the correct hinge type, since a door's swing can be controlled...

I look forward to seeing your pictures!