Measure the opening, not just the appliance
Record the clear opening width, upper-cabinet depth and the distances requested by the model’s installation drawing. Include trim, a backsplash or an adjacent cabinet door that could interfere with use. Photograph the measuring tape in place when practical. Label what each measurement represents; a list of three unexplained numbers is easy to misread.
Identify how the current unit vents
Record whether the existing setup appears to recirculate air indoors or vent outdoors, and say when you are unsure. The new model’s instructions govern its permitted configurations, clearances and installation method. An outdoor duct does not establish that it is correctly sized or positioned for the replacement. Leave inaccessible connections for the installer to inspect.
Keep a short compatibility packet
Gather the old and new model numbers, installation manual, mounting-kit list, opening photos and measurements. Note damaged cabinet material or a loose existing installation without probing it. Ask VPS to review this packet before scheduling. Countertop, built-in and over-the-range microwaves are not interchangeable installation categories; the planner’s standard scope is specifically an over-the-range replacement.
Manufacturer or agency reference: GE installation air clearance
Build a measurement record that another person can use
Start with a straight-on photo showing the range, existing microwave, upper cabinet and both neighboring cabinets. Add a second view from the side where access permits. Record dimensions in one unit and label the start and end points. “Opening width between cabinet sides” is more useful than “width,” which might mean the appliance, cabinet face or trim opening.
If the existing unit conceals part of the opening, note that the dimension is provisional. Do not remove it to finish a measuring worksheet. A fit review can identify which measurements are available now and which require inspection during a planned removal. Keep the measurement date with the model information, particularly if cabinets or a backsplash are being changed before the installation appointment.
Check the space used when the appliance opens
The closed appliance is only one part of the fit. A nearby wall, projecting cabinet pull or deep side panel may affect access to the microwave door and controls. Photograph those relationships with the existing door open only if it operates safely. Note whether a neighboring cabinet door already contacts the microwave.
A replacement with a different handle or door shape can change this relationship even when its advertised width is similar. Ask the reviewer to consider the appliance's operating space, cabinet doors and adjacent finishes together. Do not treat a sales photo as a dimension drawing. The exact model's installation information and an on-site check resolve uncertainties more reliably than comparing the appearance of two product listings.
Include the upper cabinet and visible support condition
Photograph the inside of the cabinet above the appliance if you can reach it without standing on counters or disturbing wiring. Show stored items removed only when that is practical and safe. Useful observations include previous holes, a damaged cabinet bottom, loose trim or evidence of moisture. Avoid probing material around a heavy mounted unit.
A suitable opening does not establish that the supporting cabinet or wall is ready for reuse. Tell VPS about any known prior repair or movement. If the cabinet is being replaced, send the cabinet plan and identify who is doing that work. Appliance installation should follow a coordinated decision about mounting and support, rather than discovering on arrival that two contractors expected the other to prepare the attachment points.
Keep model instructions and templates together
Save the manufacturer's installation manual for the exact model, including any suffix on the label. The product specification sheet, user manual and installation instructions may serve different purposes. Supply the installation document where possible, and keep the actual mounting hardware and templates supplied with the unit.
A template found online may not print at the required scale. Treat a printed copy as reference unless the manufacturer confirms how it is to be used. Reusing an old bracket or drilling from an unverified printout can create work that the fit review was supposed to avoid. Ask the installer to check the complete installation package before permanent changes are made to cabinetry or finished surfaces.
Resolve unknowns before purchase becomes commitment
A helpful compatibility summary has three columns: confirmed, needs inspection and requires another task. The opening dimensions may be confirmed while the concealed duct connection remains unknown. Cabinet repair or a new electrical connection belongs in the third column. This keeps a partial fit check from sounding like approval of every installation condition.
If the appliance is already ordered, share its delivery and return constraints without assuming the appointment can be accelerated. If it has not been ordered, ask which unresolved items should be checked first. Use the installation planning guide to understand how these prerequisites affect the overall work. The final request should identify the model being reviewed, not merely a preferred brand or nominal size.