Removing kitchen cabinets is mostly a do-it-yourself project that may save you money and time spent having contractors in your home. You may choose to remove the bulk of the present layout yourself if you are building a new kitchen or having it professionally installed. And the bulk of them is simple to complete. Or maybe you want to paint kitchen cabinets but don’t know how to remove the doors and drawer fronts?
The first step is to prepare the space by emptying all of the cabinets. This includes removing all china, pots and pans, cooking equipment, utensils, silverware, glasses, and food items from all cupboards, including base and wall units, pantries, larders, and pull-outs. Kitchen cabinet removal is typically rather simple, and you can usually pull them off the wall without harming the area below.
‘However, built-in appliances are a little trickier. Cabinets where the sink is plumbed and electric or gas appliances are placed must first be carefully disconnected. You may be able to switch off the water supply and isolate or cap the water lines yourself, but ovens and hobs must be removed by a gas expert or skilled electrician.’
Below, we take you through the basics of removing kitchen cabinets.
Removing Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers
After you’ve removed everything from the cabinets and drawers, you may begin removing them.
1. Unscrew the door hinges on the kitchen cabinets
When working on a job like this, it’s critical to protect your eyes, nose, mouth, and hands at all times. Wear goggles, a mask, gloves, and old clothing that you don’t mind getting soiled.
The door hinges must first be unscrewed. There may be a release clip to make this simpler, but if not, simply remove them while someone else supports the weight of the cabinet door.
2. Take Out The Drawer Fronts
Drawers may be removed from their runners; however, you should first check to see whether there is a fastening clip that has to be undone.
3. Removal of base units
Base units often feature back fixings as well as screws that connect cabinets attached to their next unit. After you’ve removed these, carefully take out the cabinets.
4. Removal of all units
Wall cabinets need a little more work to remove. This is because the brackets are built to withstand a lot of weight. Remove the screws that link the cabinets in the center and loosen the screws on the brackets on either side. Then, pull it out of the bracket. Having someone else assist you makes a significant impact. Instead of using a bracket, some cabinets are fastened to the wall. In that situation, one of you should support the weight of the cabinet while the other unscrews it.
‘Before you start the general removal process, consider what’s on top of the cabinet,’ says Scott Peterson, director of HKUK. ‘Any countertops should be supported by cabinets or end support panels on both sides of the cabinet be removed. Cabinets are often bolted together, with four screws on each side. Examine any concealed places, such as beneath hinge plates and shelving. Base cabinets are often fastened to the wall, and wall units are frequently attached to hanging brackets, thus when unscrewed from other units, these will lift off the hanging brackets.’
5. Removing Appliances
Appliances in some cabinets may be hard-wired into permanent connections. Always hire a professional electrician or gas engineer to disconnect and make it safe in this situation. After that, you may remove the appliances and work on the cabinet that contained them.
6. Removing the kitchen sink
The same is true for sinks: if you’re unclear about how to handle water outlets, call a plumber. Turn off the water supply, keep pipes and outlets upright to prevent wastewater from spilling out, and disassemble any fixtures beneath the sink before cutting the sealant that connects it to the countertop above.
7. Removing Countertops
Worksurfaces are often installed from beneath. Look for screws or bolts that are keeping them in place and carefully remove them with the assistance of a buddy. Some parts may have adhesive or sealant to keep them in place, which must be scraped away using a scraper. Raise the countertop and move it away from the cabinets.
‘When moving large things like countertops, use the appropriate removal products for the task, work slowly and cautiously, and get help if necessary,’ Looeeze says. The countertops have been sealed, and the sealer is long-lasting. Work on the joints and remove the silicon first, then collect some extra aid to lift the countertops, which are both hefty and fragile. Particular care should be used around any cut-outs, as these locations have been weakened. Never attempt to move a countertop with only two people, one at each end — it’s a prescription for catastrophe.’
8. Removing Backsplash Tiles
If you have tiles on the wall above the countertop, you may need to remove the lowest row before you begin working on the work surface. If you don’t need to preserve the tiles, use a hammer and bolster, and always wear safety goggles and gloves.
Can I remove my kitchen cabinets?
Yes, you can remove kitchen cabinets by yourself, but it is preferable to do it with a buddy, and it is always worth inspecting the installation to determine how difficult the work may be. For example, if the cabinets were installed with glue and nails rather than screws, prying them apart and out would be considerably more difficult, and you will most likely damage the cabinetry in the process.
‘Most people are unaware that removing a kitchen is an art form,’ says Looeeze Grossman, proprietor of The Used Kitchen Company. ‘ It’s only when they try that they learn it’s not as simple as it appears. Kitchen cabinets must be unscrewed from their hinges, which should be done quickly with a drill. Keep the screws and always mark which ones come from which cabinet or drawer. Tape them to the back of each cabinet if possible.’
How long does removing the kitchen cabinets take?
Allow at least two days to remove kitchen cabinets for two persons in an average-sized kitchen. A larger space will require more time. The method of installation will also influence how long it takes to remove kitchen cabinets: glued and nailed cabinetry will be more difficult to remove than a kitchen that has been precisely screwed together.
What should I do with the removed kitchen cabinets?
Removing kitchen cabinets not only prepares the space for the new design but also allows you to sell the old ones and make some money. You may sell it personally or through a business that specializes in such transactions.
