A cabinet delivery inspection checklist has four steps: count the boxes against the packing list, check every carton for damage, photograph anything wrong, and write it on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves. Do it every time, because transportation damage is not covered by the cabinet warranty.
Summary
- The moment you sign the delivery receipt is the easiest time to document a problem.
- A good inspection starts before delivery day.
- Print this list or keep it on the job phone.
- Write what you see, in plain words, on the driver's copy and yours.
Why the First Five Minutes Matter
The moment you sign the delivery receipt is the easiest time to document a problem. After the truck leaves, it is your word against the paperwork.
The ECG limited lifetime warranty covers defects in material and workmanship. It does not cover damage from transportation, handling or storage. That makes the check at the truck the step that protects your crew, your schedule and your client. See what the cabinet warranty covers and excludes.
Prepare the Site Before the Truck Arrives
A good inspection starts before delivery day. Pick one person to receive, and give them the paperwork, the time and the space to do it right.
- Name one receiver on site who knows the job and can sign for it.
- Send them the SKU list from the quote, so they can match labels to the order.
- Clear a dry, flat staging area close to where the truck will park.
- Plan the path from the truck to the storage room, including stairs and doors.
- Have a phone charged for photos, and a marker for the receipt.
Rushed deliveries are where damage gets missed. If the receiver has ten minutes and a clear path, the checklist below takes care of the rest.
The Cabinet Delivery Inspection Checklist
Print this list or keep it on the job phone. Whoever receives the delivery runs it before signing.
- Have the packing list and your SKU list in hand before the truck arrives
- Count every box against the packing list, including fillers, panels and moldings
- Check every carton for crushed corners, punctures, tears and water marks
- Open any carton that looks damaged and check the cabinet inside
- Photograph damage on the carton and on the cabinet, with the label visible
- Write the damage and the box count on the delivery receipt before you sign
- Keep damaged cartons and packaging until the issue is resolved
- Move cabinets into a dry, closed, climate-controlled space the same day
How to Note Damage on the Delivery Receipt
Write what you see, in plain words, on the driver's copy and yours. A clean signature usually means the shipment arrived in good condition.
Freight guidance is consistent here. Count pieces against the bill of lading (BOL) and inspect before signing. Write "DAMAGED" with a short description, such as "B36 carton crushed at corner, door scratched." Photograph the damage and keep the packaging. Freight sources also note that you may refuse items that arrive damaged.
Wording for boxes you have not opened is less settled. Some carriers accept "subject to inspection"; other freight guides warn that notes like "pending inspection" may not protect you. If you cannot open every carton, note the exact count and any visible damage, and report hidden damage as soon as you find it.
What to Check Inside the Boxes
Open a sample of cartons at delivery and the rest before install day. Hidden damage is easier to sort out when it is found early.
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Assembled base and wall cabinets | Square box, no cracked face frame, doors and drawers open and close |
| RTA cartons | All panels present, hardware bags included, no split plywood edges |
| Doors and drawer fronts | Chips, dents or scratches in the finish, warped frames |
| Tall pantry and oven cabinets | Corners and tops, where long cartons take the most impact |
| Fillers, panels and moldings | Correct count and length, no broken ends |
| Finish match | Same finish on every piece: White, Dove, Lightwood or Evergreen |
Check SKUs against your list as you go. The cabinet catalog with every SKU and size helps when a label is hard to read.
Check panels for warping too. Wood that went through proper wood drying stays flat in the carton; a bowed side panel after a humid trip is worth a photo on the receipt.
What to Do If a Cabinet Arrives Damaged
Note it, photograph it and call ECG at (704) 650-8907 the same day. Fast reporting with photos keeps the fix moving.
- Write the damage on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves.
- Take clear photos of the carton, the damage and the SKU label.
- Call or email ECG with the order, the SKU and the photos.
- Keep the damaged item and its packaging until you hear back.
- Adjust the install plan around the missing piece, not the whole kitchen.
After Inspection: Storage Until Install
A cabinet that passes inspection can still be damaged by bad storage. Move it into a closed, climate-controlled room, not a garage or an open trailer.
The warranty excludes damage from storage, excess humidity and spaces without climate control. In humid areas, keep cabinets in an air-conditioned space and run the HVAC before they go in. In cold areas, store them inside a heated building and let them adjust to the room. Our guide on storing cabinets before installation covers each climate.
Orders arrive in 1–5 days to a jobsite, warehouse or showroom. See how ECG cabinet delivery to the jobsite works.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sign the delivery receipt if I have not opened every box?
Sign only after you count the boxes and check every carton. Write the count and any visible damage on the receipt. Wording for unopened boxes varies by carrier, so report hidden damage as soon as you find it.
Does the cabinet warranty cover shipping damage?
No. The ECG limited lifetime warranty excludes damage from transportation, handling and storage. That is why damage must be noted at delivery and reported right away.
Can I refuse a damaged cabinet at delivery?
Freight guidance says you can refuse items that arrive damaged. Either way, note the damage on the receipt, take photos and call ECG the same day.
How long should a cabinet delivery inspection take?
About five minutes at the truck for counting cartons and checking the outside, then a closer look inside the boxes before install.
Who should sign for a cabinet delivery on site?
Someone who has the packing list and time to count: the lead installer or the project manager, never a passing sub who cannot check the cartons.
