Wood cabinets and millwork

Inventory the assembly

Describe whether the item is solid wood, veneer, painted board, laminated product or unknown. Include cabinet interiors, backs, joints, drawers and hardware in the assessment conversation when the event basis supports it. A finished door face may be accessible while another part is not.

Keep heat, water, swelling, delamination, finish change and deposits as separate observations. They may support different work decisions. Do not describe all visible damage as a cleaning issue.

Test the actual finish

Ask how the proposed process will be evaluated on the existing finish and what the test result means for colour, sheen, adhesion and intended use. One result does not automatically establish the suitability of every cabinet component.

If disassembly is proposed, ask who documents the parts, protects them, tracks their location and reinstalls them. If replacement is proposed, ask whether the basis is condition, accessibility, function, failed testing or another documented reason.

Clarify the scope around the cabinet

• Are wall/floor interfaces and concealed backs included?
• Who disconnects or reinstalls appliances and services?
• Is hardware assessment included?
• How are matching and repair expectations recorded?
• Which retained parts have unresolved limitations?

Keep salvage choices item-specific

An owner may value an original or custom item differently from a standard replacement. Record that preference without turning it into a guarantee of successful restoration. Ask for options, limitations and an agreed authorization process before irreversible work.

References and scope

1. ANSI/IICRC S700: fire and smoke restoration — IICRC.
   First edition2025; published scope only. Wildfire and exposure evaluation are not comprehensively addressed. The paid standard has not been reproduced.

Source links checked September30,2026. General guidance and original planning questions do not establish the condition, exposure risk or clearance of a property.