Section 2 · Cabinets & Storage
How to Order Kitchen Cabinets Without Getting the Sizes Wrong
7 min read · Brooklyn, NY
By Joseph Ng
Co-Owner & Lead Estimator, Creative Home Decor
Written from real Brooklyn job notes. 15+ years on Utica Ave. · 7 min read
Wrong-size cabinets are the single most common reason a Brooklyn kitchen install slips. Almost every time, the root cause is the same: measurements were taken before demo, the wall was not square, or the cabinet sizes did not include filler. Here is the order we follow at our shop and the questions we ask before any cabinet leaves the warehouse.
Key Takeaways
- Always measure twice, once before demo for the quote, once after demo for the order.
- Walls in Brooklyn older buildings are rarely square, plan filler at both ends of every run.
- Ceiling height controls upper cabinet height and crown space.
- Window and door openings need width, height, and trim depth.
- Always confirm appliance specs before sizing base cabinets.
Contractor Insight
If your contractor wants to order cabinets the day you sign, ask them to walk through the post-demo measurement step out loud. If they cannot describe it, they are gambling on the order. Cabinets are expensive to send back.
Brooklyn wall conditions, what to expect
Plaster walls in older buildings often bow by 1/2 to 3/4 inch over a 10-foot run. Out-of-plumb corners are common, sometimes 1 inch off over 8 feet of height. Brooklyn co-op gut renovations sometimes reveal cinder block or brick behind the plaster, which limits how flat you can shim a cabinet.
The exact measurements your cabinet supplier needs
Send all of these in one message, save 2 rounds of back-and-forth.
Wall lengths
Each wall, in inches, at three heights, base (36 inches up), countertop (38 inches), and upper (60 inches). If those three numbers vary by more than 1/2 inch, the wall is out of plumb.
Ceiling height
Four corners of the room, in inches. Ceilings drift, especially in older buildings.
Window and door openings
Width, height, distance from each wall, and depth of the casing. Casing depth determines whether a tall cabinet can sit flush.
Plumbing rough
Center of sink drain from the wall and from the side. Hot and cold supply locations.
Appliance specs
Model numbers for fridge, range, dishwasher, hood. Most spec sheets list cutout width to 1/8 inch, build to that, not to a 'standard' size.
Soffit or bulkhead
If a soffit exists, height and depth. If you are demoing it, confirm with the GC that the demo is in scope.
Pre-demo measure vs post-demo measure
Why the second measurement matters more than the first.
| Item | Pre-demo | Post-demo (field verify) |
|---|---|---|
| Wall length | Roughly accurate, plus drywall and tile | Exact, to the framing |
| Out of plumb | Hidden behind plaster | Visible, measurable |
| Mechanicals | Hidden | Plumbing rough and electrical visible |
| Soffit framing | Unknown | Confirmed, often hides steel |
| Useful for | Quote and material list | Final cabinet order |
- Quote off the pre-demo measure, order off the post-demo measure.
- Cabinet shop should re-confirm the order in writing before shipping.
- Build in 1 to 3 inches of filler at each end of every run, you will use it.
Our cabinet order process
Step by step, what we do between quote and ship.
- 1
Sketch a layout from the pre-demo measure
We draw it in 2D so you can see clearances and door swings.
- 2
Hold the order until field verify
We do not place the cabinet order until demo is open and the contractor measures the bare walls.
- 3
Re-confirm dimensions in writing
We text or email the final dimensions to the contractor and you, both sign off.
- 4
Open every box on receipt
We unwrap every cabinet at the warehouse, inspect for damage, before they ship to your job site.
What a wrong-size cabinet costs
The cost of replacing a single wrong cabinet, by line.
| Line | Cabinet cost | Freight + restock | Total + lost time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forevermark stock | $180 to $320 | $50 to $100 | $230 to $420, 1 week |
| Fabuwood semi-custom | $240 to $420 | $80 to $200 | $320 to $620, 2 weeks |
| Wolf Designer | $420 to $900 | $200 to $400 | $620 to $1,300, 3 to 5 weeks |
Save yourself the cost, spend the extra hour on the field verify.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring once and ordering immediately.
- Assuming a 36-inch range needs a 36-inch opening, it almost always needs more.
- Not asking the contractor to measure post-demo before you sign off.
- Ignoring the ceiling drift, crown molding will not hide a 3/4-inch gap.
- Skipping appliance spec sheets and trusting 'standard' sizes.
FAQs
Can I measure the cabinets myself?+
You can do the pre-demo measure yourself with a tape measure and a level. The post-demo field verify is better done by the installer or supplier.
What if a cabinet does not fit on install day?+
Hard stop, do not force it. Call the supplier the same day. Most lines can ship a replacement in 1 to 2 weeks.
How much filler should I plan?+
1 to 3 inches at each wall end, and 3 to 6 inches around appliances. Better to cut filler down than to be short.
References
- Internal job notes, Creative Home Decor, 1831 Utica Ave, Brooklyn, NY
- NYC Department of Buildings renovation permits guidance, nyc.gov/dob
- Remodeling Magazine 2025 Cost vs Value Report, New York metro
- Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association installation specs
- Marble Institute of America natural stone care guidelines
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