How to Prepare for Your Appliance Installation

I show up to a lot of homes where the homeowner is clearly ready for me: the old appliance is accessible, the water is turned off, the box is open, and there’s a clear path from the front door to the kitchen. Those installs take about an hour and everyone’s happy.

Then there are the other ones.

The dishwasher is still full of dirty dishes. The path from the garage to the kitchen goes through a hallway stacked with moving boxes. The shutoff valve under the sink hasn’t been touched in 15 years and the homeowner isn’t sure if it works. The new appliance is still in the box in the driveway and nobody has checked if it fits the opening.

A little preparation goes a long way. Here’s a quick checklist that will save you time, money, and frustration on installation day.

The Night Before

1. Empty the Old Appliance

• Dishwasher: Run it empty one last time, then leave it open to dry
• Refrigerator: Empty everything and unplug it 24 hours ahead (if replacing)
• Oven/Cooktop: Remove all pans, racks, and anything stored inside or below
• Washer/Dryer: Empty the drum and remove lint from the dryer vent

2. Clear the Path

I need to get the old appliance out and the new one in. That means a clear path from wherever the new unit is (usually the garage or front door) to the installation spot. Move anything that’s in the way — rugs, pet gates, furniture, kids’ toys.

3. Unbox and Inspect

Open the box and check for damage. If there’s a dent, scratch, or crack, call the store before installation day. I can install a damaged appliance if you want to keep it, but once it’s installed, returns get complicated.

Also check that all parts are included: mounting hardware, supply lines, power cords, brackets. Some appliances don’t include the power cord — it’s sold separately. Check the manual.

The Morning Of

4. Turn Off the Water

If we’re replacing a dishwasher, washer, or anything with water connections, locate the shutoff valve and turn it off. For dishwashers, it’s usually under the kitchen sink. For washing machines, it’s behind the washer on the wall.

Test it. Turn on the faucet or run the old appliance briefly to confirm the water is actually off. Valves that haven’t been touched in years sometimes don’t fully close.

5. Turn Off the Breaker

Find the circuit breaker for the appliance. It should be labeled in your breaker panel. Flip it off. If you’re not sure which breaker, leave it — I’ll identify and shut it off when I arrive. But knowing ahead of time saves a few minutes.

6. Know Your Connections

Before I arrive, take a quick look at the existing hookups:

• Electrical: Is it a plug (120V) or hardwired (240V)? 3-prong or 4-prong?
• Water: Is the shutoff valve a gate valve (round handle) or ball valve (lever)? Does it turn?
• Gas: Is there a gas shutoff near the appliance? (Don’t touch it — just know where it is)
• Venting: For range hoods and dryers — is there existing ductwork, or is it recirculating?

If something looks wrong or different from what you expected, let me know ahead of time so I can bring the right parts.

7. Measure the Opening

This seems obvious but it catches people all the time. Measure the width, height, and depth of the cabinet opening or space where the new appliance goes. Compare it to the dimensions on the box. Pay special attention to:

• Dishwashers: Standard is 24” wide, but some openings are 23.5” or less after countertop installation
• Over-the-range microwaves: Measure the distance from the cooktop to the bottom of the upper cabinet. Standard is 30” but varies
• Wall ovens: Measure the cutout, not the cabinet exterior
• Cooktops: Measure the countertop cutout dimensions

If the new appliance doesn’t fit the existing opening, we’ll figure it out — but it’s better to know beforehand.

When I Arrive

8. Show Me the Workspace

Walk me to the installation location and point out:

• Where the new appliance is (garage, entryway, still being delivered)
• Where the old appliance is
• Any known issues (“the valve is hard to turn” or “the outlet is behind the cabinet”)

9. Secure Pets and Kids

I’ll have the front door open while moving appliances in and out. I’ll have tools on the floor. I’ll be working with water, electricity, and potentially gas. A dog that likes to investigate or a toddler who likes to touch things can turn a routine install into a stressful one.

10. Be Available (But You Don’t Have to Watch)

I might need to ask you a question during the install — “Do you want me to replace this corroded valve while I’m in here?” or “The new dishwasher sits half an inch higher than the old one — is that okay?” Being in the house and reachable is all I need. You don’t have to stand over my shoulder.

After Installation

I’ll run the appliance through a complete cycle to verify everything works. For dishwashers, that means running a short wash cycle and checking for leaks under the sink. For ovens, I’ll verify all burners or elements heat up. For microwaves, a quick test run to confirm ventilation and cooking.

I’ll show you how to use any features that might not be obvious, point out anything I noticed during installation, and clean up my workspace.

The Bottom Line

Ten minutes of preparation the night before can turn a 2-hour installation into a 1-hour one. And it makes the whole experience smoother for both of us.

If you’re in the Macon, Warner Robins, or middle Georgia area and have an appliance that needs installing, I’m happy to help. Check availability and book online at proapplianceinstalls.com, or call me at (478) 280-4099.

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*Pro Install Guy is your local appliance installation specialist serving Macon, Milledgeville, Perry, and middle Georgia. Book an install at proapplianceinstalls.com or call (478) 280-4099.