Always Measure Twice
If your measurements are even half an inch off, you won’t get a perfect fit, so you need to be very precise as possible with your measurements. To be confident that your list of measurements is accurate when you start appliance shopping, it is a good idea to measure at least twice. This may seem like a nuisance, but if your measurements don’t tally, you’ll run into serious problems. You will need to measure the height, width, and depth of your appliances, but how they are measured will depend on the specific appliance.
Refrigerators
The height should be measured from the floor or feet to the top of the hinges. The width should be at the widest point from one side to the other, while the depth is measured from the back of the unit to the front, including the door handle. It is also crucial to open the refrigerator door to a 90 degree angle to check the depth when open. These measurement guidelines apply to full size refrigerators through to wine storage fridges.
Ranges
The height of a range is measured from the floor or feet to the top of the cook surface. This measurement should be the stovetop rather than the top of the control panel. The width is simply left to right, but the depth should be at the widest part of the unit to the back, avoiding any handles or knobs. Bear in mind that your range will need to be flush with your cabinets and counters, excluding the handles and knobs.
Range Hoods
A range hod is an unusual appliance; there are models in all shapes and sizes, which can make measuring a little intimidating. Fortunately, measuring is actually relatively simple. Height should be measured from the start of the chimney flute to the bottom of the appliance, while the width and depth should be measured at the widest parts. While there may be curves and odd shapes of range hoods, don’t be distracted, and just measure at the widest points.
Cooktops
To gauge the height of your current cooktop, it will need to be removed from its site. It should be measured from the top of the cooking surface to the bottom. Width and depth should be measured at the widest points.
Dishwashers
Measuring a dishwasher is like measuring for a refrigerator. You will need to measure the height, depth, and width at the widest points, but like a range, the depth of the dishwasher should be measured to the front excluding any handles or knobs. Just remember to include any heating components at the back as part of the overall depth.
Chest Freezers
A chest freezer is likely to be the easiest appliance to shop for. Chest freezers are simple box shapes, so you just need to measure the height, width, and depth. Just bear in mind that you will need sufficient space to fully open the lid.
Measure Access Points
Finally, don’t forget to measure any access points where your appliance will need to pass through to get to its new location. Check narrow hallways and doorways along the delivery path to ensure that the delivery team can gain access.