Appliance Installation Checklist: What to Do Before the Technician Arrives
A new appliance installation should be simple: the old unit comes out, the new one goes in, and everything gets tested before the crew leaves.
Most delays happen before the technician starts working. The appliance does not fit through the hallway, the shutoff valve will not close, the dryer vent is crushed, the old unit is still connected, or the outlet does not match the cord.
This checklist helps you catch those problems early, protect your home, and avoid a second appointment.
- Measure first: check doorways, hallways, stairs, turns, and the final opening.
- Clear the route: remove rugs, furniture, toys, boxes, and anything blocking the path.
- Protect floors: use cardboard, moving blankets, or floor runners.
- Check hookups: make sure water valves, gas shutoffs, outlets, drain lines, and dryer vents are accessible.
- Use new parts: old hoses, gas connectors, and damaged cords should not be reused.
- Prepare the old unit: empty it, clean it, disconnect it if required, and confirm haul-away.
- Inspect before signing: check for dents, scratches, cracks, and missing parts.
- 5-Minute Appliance Installation Checklist
- Measure the Delivery Path Before Installation Day
- Check the Final Appliance Opening
- Check Water, Gas, Electrical, and Vent Connections
- Clear and Protect the Delivery Route
- Prepare the Old Appliance for Removal
- Most Common Reasons Installation Gets Delayed
- What Installers Usually Do — and Do Not Do
- What to Check Before the Technician Leaves
- Should You Tip Appliance Installers?
- Appliance Installation in Spokane and Post Falls
- FAQ
5-Minute Appliance Installation Checklist
If your appointment is coming up soon, start here.
| What to Check | Why It Matters | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Measure the delivery path | The unit must fit through doors, halls, stairs, and turns | □ |
| Measure the final opening | The unit must fit the cabinet, counter, or laundry space | □ |
| Clear the route | The crew needs a safe path to the final room | □ |
| Protect floors | Heavy appliances can scratch wood, crack tile, or tear vinyl | □ |
| Check shutoff valves | Water or gas must shut off fully before connection work | □ |
| Check the outlet | The outlet and cord must match | □ |
| Buy new hoses or connection parts | Old parts are a common leak risk | □ |
| Empty the old appliance | Food, water, dishes, lint, and laundry should be removed | □ |
| Secure pets and children | Heavy appliance moving is not a safe area for them | □ |
| Keep an adult home | Someone must approve placement and sign paperwork | □ |
Measure the Delivery Path Before Installation Day
Measure the full route the appliance has to travel, not just the old unit.
Check the front door, garage entry, porch steps, stairways, corners, hallway turns, interior doors, basement entrances, and the final room.
Measure These Areas
- Exterior entry door: width, height, threshold, and screen door clearance.
- Hallways: the narrowest point, not the widest section.
- Stairs: width, ceiling height, railing clearance, and landing size.
- Interior doors: especially laundry rooms, pantry areas, and basement doors.
- Turns: corners matter because the appliance has depth.
- Final room: leave working space to level, connect, and test the unit.
Some crews can remove doors from the new refrigerator. That is different from modifying the house.
Check the Final Appliance Opening
Do not assume the new appliance matches the old one. Measure the actual opening and compare it with the product specs.
Refrigerators
Measure width, height, and depth. Also check:
- whether the doors open fully;
- whether drawers clear an island or wall;
- whether the water line reaches;
- whether there is room behind the unit for the plug and water connection;
- whether the refrigerator has room to breathe.
A refrigerator pushed too tightly into a cabinet space may run hotter and become harder to service.
Dishwashers
Most built-in dishwashers use a 24-inch opening, but flooring changes can trap the old unit under the countertop.
Clear the area under the sink and make sure the water shutoff, drain hose, and electrical connection are accessible.
Ranges and Cooktops
For freestanding ranges, measure the space between cabinets and make sure the anti-tip bracket can be installed correctly.
For cooktops and wall ovens, the cutout must match the appliance specs. A small mismatch can stop the job.
Washers and Dryers
Check width, depth, height, door swing, and rear space for hoses, cords, drain lines, and the dryer vent.
For stacked units, confirm ceiling height and side clearance before delivery.
Check Water, Gas, Electrical, and Vent Connections
The technician can usually connect to existing, working, accessible hookups. Plumbing repairs, electrical changes, gas line work, cabinet cutting, and vent replacement are separate issues.
Water Supply Connections
For dishwashers, refrigerators with ice makers, and washing machines, the shutoff valve must be easy to reach and able to close fully.
Test it before installation day. If it is frozen, corroded, dripping, or hidden behind a cabinet, fix that first.
Use new water supply hoses. Braided stainless steel hoses are usually better than old rubber hoses.
Electrical Outlet
Make sure the outlet is accessible, secure, and matches the appliance cord.
Do not use extension cords or adapters as a workaround. If the plug does not match, or the outlet is loose, burned, cracked, or dead, have the electrical issue corrected first.
For electric dryers and ranges, check whether your home uses a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet before buying the cord.
Gas Shutoff
For gas ranges and gas dryers, the shutoff valve should be near the appliance and easy to reach.
If the valve is missing, stuck, leaking, or buried behind cabinets, the appliance should not be connected until that is corrected.
Dryer Vent
A dryer is not properly installed just because it turns on. The vent must be clean, connected, and not crushed behind the machine.
Avoid plastic or thin foil vent material. Rigid or semi-rigid metal venting is safer and allows better airflow.
A restricted vent can cause long dry times, overheating, lint buildup, and fire risk.
Clear and Protect the Delivery Route
Heavy appliances are awkward to move. A tight path increases the risk of scratched floors, chipped trim, dented walls, and damaged door frames.
Before the appointment:
- remove rugs and runners;
- move furniture away from the path;
- clear shoes, toys, boxes, pet bowls, and decorations;
- take down low wall decor if the route is narrow;
- salt or clear icy steps during winter;
- make sure parking is accessible.
Use thick cardboard, moving blankets, or floor runners. Tape the edges down so they do not slide.
Prepare the Old Appliance for Removal
If you scheduled haul-away, the old unit must be empty, accessible, and safe to move.
Refrigerator
- Remove all food.
- Empty ice bins and water containers.
- Take out loose shelves if needed.
- Disconnect the water line if required.
- Keep towels nearby for drips.
Washer
- Remove laundry.
- Run a drain or spin cycle if water is inside.
- Turn off hot and cold water valves.
- Keep towels and a small bucket nearby.
Dryer
- Clean the lint screen.
- Clear the area behind the dryer.
- Make the vent connection accessible.
- For gas dryers, confirm the shutoff is reachable.
Dishwasher
- Remove all dishes.
- Clear items from under the sink.
- Make the water shutoff visible.
- Check for old leaks under the sink or dishwasher.
Retail delivery rules vary. Check your order to see whether disconnection is included.
Most Common Reasons Installation Gets Delayed
| Problem on Installation Day | Why It Delays the Job | How to Prevent It |
|---|---|---|
| Unit does not fit through the doorway | The crew cannot bring it in safely | Measure the full route |
| Opening is too small | Cabinet or countertop work may be needed | Compare the opening with product specs |
| Old unit is full or connected | Removal takes longer or stops | Empty and prep it before arrival |
| Water valve is stuck or leaking | The new unit cannot be connected safely | Test the valve ahead of time |
| Outlet does not match the cord | The appliance cannot be powered correctly | Check the plug and outlet |
| Gas shutoff is missing or blocked | Gas connection is unsafe | Correct the shutoff before installation |
| Dryer vent is crushed or unsafe | The dryer may overheat or dry poorly | Inspect the vent first |
| Path is blocked | Moving the unit becomes unsafe | Clear furniture, rugs, boxes, and pets |
| No adult is home | The crew may not complete the job | Have someone 18 or older present |
What Installers Usually Do — and Do Not Do
Every company has its own rules, but standard installation has clear limits.
| Usually Included | Usually Not Included |
|---|---|
| Bring the new appliance into the home | Remove house doors, railings, trim, or cabinets |
| Place it in the prepared opening | Modify countertops, flooring, or cabinet cutouts |
| Connect to working hookups | Install new outlets, gas lines, or plumbing lines |
| Level the appliance | Repair stuck valves or leaking pipes |
| Run a basic function test | Correct old wiring, venting, or code issues |
| Haul away the old unit if scheduled | Remove a unit that is trapped, full, leaking, or unsafe |
Some issues are not installation problems. They are plumbing, electrical, gas, cabinet, flooring, or remodeling problems.
What to Check Before the Technician Leaves
Before signing paperwork, take a few minutes to check the basics.
- Look for cosmetic damage. Check the front, sides, corners, handles, control panel, and glass.
- Confirm it is level. An unlevel appliance can cause noise, vibration, leaks, or door issues.
- Open and close doors. Make sure doors, drawers, racks, and bins move freely.
- Run a short test. Watch for leaks, strange noises, error codes, heat issues, or drain problems.
- Check behind and underneath. Look for drips, pinched hoses, crushed vents, or loose connections.
- Ask where the shutoff is. Know how to turn off water or gas if needed.
- Save paperwork. Keep receipts, model numbers, serial numbers, and warranty information.
Should You Tip Appliance Installers?
Tipping is not required, but it is common when the crew handles a difficult job well.
| Situation | Common Tip Range | Other Helpful Options |
|---|---|---|
| Simple delivery and hookup | $10–$20 per installer | Cold water or sports drinks |
| Stairs, tight turns, or heavy appliance | $20–$30 per installer | Coffee, snacks, or a positive review |
| Very difficult move or extra care | $30+ per installer | Review mentioning the crew by name |
Appliance Installation in Spokane and Post Falls
In Spokane homes, the problem is often the house around the appliance: older cabinet openings, tight basement laundry rooms, uneven floors, old shutoff valves, remodeled kitchens, and narrow stairways.
IV Appliance Clinic helps homeowners in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, Airway Heights, and Post Falls with appliance installation, inspection, hookup issues, and repair when something does not work correctly after delivery.
We install and service refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, ranges, ovens, cooktops, and other major home appliances. We can also inspect the area and tell you whether the problem is the appliance, the installation, or the home connection.
If you need help preparing for a new appliance installation or something went wrong after delivery,
schedule appliance installation service,
contact IV Appliance Clinic,
or call
+1 (253) 378-75-49.
Ivan Vynychenko is the owner of IV Appliance Clinic, a licensed and insured appliance repair and installation company serving Spokane County, WA and Post Falls, ID. Ivan works directly with homeowners, landlords, property managers, and local businesses to diagnose appliance problems, complete proper repairs, and help customers make practical decisions about repair, replacement, and installation.
FAQ
What should I do before appliance installation?
Measure the path and final opening, clear the route, protect floors, check hookups, buy new connection parts if needed, empty the old unit, and make sure an adult is home.
Do I need to disconnect my old appliance before delivery?
It depends on the service you purchased. Some companies include basic disconnection, while others expect the old unit to be disconnected, empty, and ready for removal.
Do appliance installers remove doors from hinges?
They may remove doors from the new refrigerator, but they usually do not remove house doors, trim, railings, cabinets, or built-in obstacles.
Do I need new hoses for a washing machine installation?
Yes. New washer hoses are strongly recommended and often required. Old hoses can weaken over time and leak or burst under pressure.
Why would an appliance installation be delayed?
Common reasons include poor measurements, blocked access, stuck water valves, missing gas shutoffs, outlet mismatches, crushed dryer vents, or an old unit that is not ready.
Who connects gas appliances?
Gas appliance rules vary by location and company policy. In many cases, gas appliances should be connected by a qualified technician or licensed professional.
What should I check before the installer leaves?
Check for damage, confirm the appliance is level, open and close the doors, run a short test, look for leaks, check the dryer vent, and save your paperwork.
Do appliance installers haul away the old appliance?
Only if haul-away was included or purchased. The old unit usually needs to be empty, accessible, disconnected if required, and safe to move.