Can I remove kitchen cabinets myself? Yes, you can remove kitchen cabinets yourself with the right tools and steps. This guide shows you exactly how to do it safely and fast. We will cover everything from prepping the area to taking down both upper and lower cabinets. Removing old cabinets is a big job, but breaking it down makes it much simpler. Following these kitchen cabinet removal steps carefully ensures you avoid damage to your walls or injury to yourself.
Preparing for Cabinet Removal: Safety First
Safety is the most important part of this project. You are working with heavy items and potentially old wiring or plumbing. Taking time now saves trouble later.
Gathering Necessary Tools for Cabinet Demolition
Having the right gear makes the job fast and safe. Here is a list of tools for cabinet demolition:
- Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes from dust and debris.
- Work Gloves: Keep your hands safe from splinters and sharp edges.
- Pry Bar (Small and Large): Essential for separating cabinets from walls.
- Power Drill/Driver: For quickly removing screws.
- Stud Finder: To locate where cabinets are anchored to wall studs.
- Utility Knife: To cut caulk or paint lines.
- Screwdriver Set: Various heads might be needed for different hardware.
- Level: To check for plumb and level measurements if reusing cabinets (though less critical for just removal).
- Measuring Tape: For noting clearances and cabinet sizes.
- Drop Cloths or Cardboard: To protect floors from scratches.
- Utility Cart or Dollies: For moving heavy sections.
Shutting Off Utilities
Before starting any DIY kitchen cabinet teardown, you must deal with electrical and plumbing connections.
Disconnecting Electrical Wires
If you have lights under your cabinets or power outlets built into them, you must turn off the power.
- Go to your main electrical panel (breaker box).
- Find the circuit breaker for the kitchen area.
- Flip the breaker to the “Off” position.
- Use a non-contact voltage tester to check the wires inside the cabinet area. Test every wire to make sure no power is flowing. If you are unsure about electrical work, call an electrician.
Capping Water Lines
If you have a sink base cabinet, water lines run to it.
- Locate the main water shut-off valve for your house or the specific lines under the sink.
- Turn the water off completely.
- Open the sink faucet to drain any remaining water in the lines.
- Once the lines are empty, cap the water supply lines securely using pipe caps or shut-off valves if you plan on reusing them later. Use Teflon tape on threads for a tight seal.
Protecting the Workspace
Cover your floors well. Use thick drop cloths or flattened cardboard boxes. This protects your flooring from dropped tools, heavy cabinet weight, and dust. Clear the area of everything else to make space for moving the cabinets once detaching wall cabinets is complete.
The Process for Uninstalling Base Cabinets
Base cabinets sit on the floor and support the countertops. These are usually the heaviest pieces. We need to focus on uninstalling base cabinets securely.
Removing Countertops and Backsplashes
Base cabinets cannot be removed until the countertop is gone.
- Remove Hardware: Take off all cabinet doors and drawers. This makes the base lighter and easier to handle. Keep all screws and hinges in clearly labeled bags.
- Separate Countertop: Countertops are usually secured to the base cabinets from underneath with screws or sometimes glued down.
- If there is a tile backsplash, you may need to gently pry off the bottom row of tiles above the counter edge first. Use a small chisel and hammer carefully.
- Look underneath the cabinets, inside the top frame. You will see screws attaching the top surface to the cabinet frames. Remove all these screws.
- If the counter is glued (common with solid surface or stone), you will need to use thin shims and a pry bar to gently work between the countertop and the top edge of the cabinet frame. Go slowly to prevent cracking the counter. It is often easier to remove the counter in one piece.
Detaching the Base Cabinets from the Wall
Base cabinets are secured to the wall studs, usually near the top back edge.
- Locate Fasteners: Open the cabinet frames. Look inside near the top back panel. You will see screws or nails driven through the cabinet frame directly into the wall studs.
- Disconnecting Kitchen Cabinet Hardware: Ensure all drawers and doors are removed. Check for any hidden clips or hardware holding adjacent cabinets together. Sometimes cabinets are screwed to each other side-by-side. Remove these joining screws first.
- Remove Wall Screws: Use your drill or screwdriver to remove every screw or nail anchoring the cabinet box to the wall. Mark the location of these screws lightly on the wall if you plan to reinstall something later.
- Prying Away: Once all fasteners are out, the cabinet should move slightly. Use your pry bar gently between the back of the cabinet and the wall. Insert a thin shim first, then insert the pry bar. Apply light, steady pressure. Do not jerk or yank.
Moving and Storing Base Cabinets
Base cabinets are heavy, especially if they are made of solid wood. Get a helper for this step.
- Lift carefully from the bottom.
- Use a dolly if moving them across long distances.
- If storing, place them on their sides or stacked very carefully, ensuring weight is distributed evenly to prevent warping the frames.
The Method for Detaching Upper Cabinets
Detaching wall cabinets requires careful handling because they hang high. Dropping an upper cabinet can cause serious damage or injury.
Initial Setup for Upper Cabinet Removal
Since upper cabinets are high, preparation is key for safety.
- Clear Below: Ensure the area below the upper cabinets is completely clear of tools, debris, and people.
- Support: If the cabinets are very long or you have multiple sections, having a helper is crucial. If working alone, use sturdy sawhorses or strong temporary shelving brackets placed underneath the cabinets to support their weight as you remove the final securing screws.
Removing Securing Screws
Upper cabinets are attached to wall studs, usually through the back panel near the top and bottom.
- Remove Doors and Drawers: Just like the base units, take off all doors and drawers first. This reduces weight and improves access.
- Inspect and Cut Sealant: Check the top edge where the cabinet meets the ceiling or soffit. Sometimes caulk or paint seals the top edge. Use your utility knife to cut this seal completely. If there is drywall covering the screws at the top, you may need to cut a small opening in the drywall where the screw head is located.
- Locate and Remove Fasteners: Look inside the cabinet, near the top and bottom back rails. You will find long screws driven into the wall studs. Remove every single one. Remember, removing upper cabinets from drywall requires finding the studs accurately. If you hit only drywall, the cabinet will sag or fall when you try to pull it.
- Check for Inter-Cabinet Screws: Confirm that any cabinets joined side-by-side are disconnected from each other.
Safely Removing Kitchen Cabinets (Upper Units)
This is the critical moment for safely remove kitchen cabinets.
- Apply Gentle Pressure: Have your helper stand ready. Gently push the cabinet slightly away from the wall using your hands. Check if it moves freely. If it resists, stop immediately and re-inspect for missed screws or caulk lines.
- Lowering the Unit: Slowly tilt the bottom of the cabinet away from the wall first. Then, carefully lower the entire unit down. Always keep your feet clear in case the cabinet slips.
- Handling Heavy Sections: If the cabinet is large, support the weight evenly as you bring it down. Place it gently on the floor or temporary supports.
Dealing with Specific Cabinet Types
Some kitchens have unique features that require special attention during kitchen cabinet removal steps.
Removing Corner Cabinets
Corner cabinets often span two walls, meaning they are screwed into studs on two different planes.
- Ensure you locate and remove all screws attaching the cabinet to both intersecting walls.
- These units can be awkward shapes. Handle them slowly, as their balance might shift unexpectedly once they are free from one wall.
Dealing with Microwave or Range Hood Cabinets
Cabinets situated over a stove or microwave are often slightly different.
- If a microwave is built-in, it must be fully unplugged and removed from its housing shelf before removing the surrounding cabinet structure. Microwaves are heavy and wired directly.
- Hood cabinets might have ductwork attached. You may need to access the duct from the attic or exterior wall to disconnect it before the cabinet can be pulled free.
Post-Removal Cleanup and Disposal
Once the cabinets are down, you have debris and heavy materials left. Knowing disposing of old kitchen cabinets correctly is important.
Assessing Cabinets for Reuse or Donation
If the cabinets are in good condition, consider donating them.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore often accepts complete sets of usable cabinets.
- Check local community centers or reuse organizations.
- If you are selling them, make sure they are intact and clean before handover.
Preparing Cabinets for Disposal
If the cabinets are damaged or you are throwing them away, you must follow local waste rules.
- Dismantling for Easier Hauling: For easier transport to a dump or disposal site, it is often helpful to break the boxes down further. Use a circular saw or reciprocating saw to cut the cabinet boxes into flat pieces.
- Separating Materials: Wood (particle board, plywood) often needs to be separated from metal hinges and drawer slides. Check if your local waste management accepts mixed construction debris or requires material separation.
- Junk Removal Services: For large loads, hiring a junk removal service is the fastest way to clear the space, though it costs more than DIY hauling.
Final Touches: Wall Repair and Prep
After the cabinets are gone, you are left with bare walls. This is the perfect time for renovations or repairs.
Inspecting Wall Damage
Examine the exposed wall area carefully.
- Nail Holes and Screw Points: You will see many holes left by the fasteners. These are easy to patch with spackle or joint compound.
- Water Damage: Look especially behind the sink base cabinets. Check for soft drywall or mold caused by past leaks. Address any water damage before installing new cabinetry or closing up the wall.
- Substrate Integrity: Ensure the drywall or plaster behind where the cabinets hung is still solid. If the fasteners pulled out large chunks of drywall, you might need to cut out that section and install new drywall backing or wood blocking secured firmly to the studs.
Patching and Priming
- Use lightweight spackle for small holes. Let it dry completely. Sand smooth.
- For larger gouges, use a setting-type compound, as it dries harder.
- Prime the repaired areas before painting to ensure the new paint matches the old wall color evenly.
Table of Common Cabinet Removal Issues and Fixes
| Issue Encountered | Possible Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet won’t budge after screws are removed. | Caulk or paint sealing the edges. | Use a utility knife to score all visible seams (top, side, bottom). |
| Countertop breaks when lifting. | Not enough support underneath; lifting unevenly. | Always use shims or bracing underneath before lifting heavy stone or solid surfaces. |
| Screws are stripping in the wall. | Screws are too old or wall material is weak. | Try a different sized bit or use a manual screwdriver for better grip; use a heavier-duty screw extractor if necessary. |
| Can’t find fasteners on upper cabinets. | They are hidden behind a trim piece or inside the cabinet frame wall. | Check the very top and very bottom interior rails of the cabinet box carefully. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to remove a set of kitchen cabinets?
For an average-sized kitchen (10–12 base and upper cabinets), if utilities are already off, the entire kitchen cabinet removal steps process usually takes one full day for two people working steadily. If countertops are difficult or there is significant plumbing, it might take slightly longer.
Do I need to remove the doors and drawers before taking down the cabinets?
Yes, absolutely. Removing all doors and drawers makes the main cabinet boxes significantly lighter and easier to manage. It also allows you clear access to the mounting screws inside the cabinet box, speeding up the process of disconnecting kitchen cabinet hardware.
Is it better to remove base cabinets or upper cabinets first?
It is generally safer and easier to remove the base cabinets first. This clears the floor space, giving you a safe place to stand and a flat area to set down the heavier upper cabinets once you are done removing upper cabinets from drywall.
What if my cabinets are glued to the wall instead of screwed?
While most cabinets are screwed into studs, some older or budget installations use heavy-duty construction adhesive. If screws are all removed and the cabinet still won’t move, you will need to use a long, sturdy pry bar and wooden shims. Insert the shims and gently work them into the gap between the cabinet back and the wall, moving across the span of the cabinet. Use slow, patient pressure rather than quick jerks.