Yes, you can safely remove a kitchen cabinet yourself with basic tools and careful planning. The cabinets removal process involves several steps, whether you need to uninstall kitchen cabinet sections, detach upper cabinets, or remove base cabinets. Taking your time ensures safety and prevents damage to your walls or the cabinets themselves if you plan to reuse them.
Getting Ready: Preparation is Key for Cabinet Removal
Before you start taking things apart, you must prepare the area. Good preparation makes the job much safer and faster. Think about what you need before touching a single screw.
Essential Cabinet Removal Tools
You will need the right gear to successfully disassemble kitchen cabinets. Having the proper cabinet removal tools on hand saves time later.
| Tool Category | Specific Items Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Gear | Safety glasses, work gloves | Protect eyes and hands. |
| Measuring & Marking | Tape measure, pencil, level | Mark where the cabinets sit. |
| Removal Hardware | Screwdriver set (Phillips/flathead), power drill/driver with bits | To remove screws holding cabinets. |
| Prying & Support | Pry bar, sturdy wood blocks, shims | Gently separate cabinets from walls; support weight. |
| Cleanup & Access | Utility knife, dustpan, garbage bags | Cut caulk/paint seals; clean up debris. |
Clearing the Work Zone
Clear everything away from the cabinets you plan to take down wall cabinets or remove base cabinets.
- Empty the cabinets completely. Put dishes and food items somewhere safe.
- Remove all contents from drawers and shelves.
- If you are replacing the countertop, ensure it is removed first. Countertops often rest on top of the remove base cabinets.
Cutting Power and Water Lines
This step is vital, especially for cabinets holding sinks or dishwashers.
- Electricity: Find the breaker box. Turn off the power to the kitchen circuits powering any lights or outlets near the cabinets. Test the outlet near the cabinet with a simple lamp to confirm the power is off.
- Water: Locate the shut-off valves under the sink. Turn them off clockwise until they stop. Open the faucet to drain any remaining water in the lines. If you have a dishwasher, shut off its water supply too.
Step 1: Taking Off Cabinet Doors and Hardware
The first physical step in the cabinets removal process is making the cabinet box lighter. This means taking off cabinet doors and boxes separately, starting with the doors.
Removing Doors and Drawer Fronts
Cabinet doors add bulk and get in the way of accessing mounting screws.
- Identify Hinges: Look at how the doors are attached. Most modern hinges have a quick-release mechanism.
- Release the Door: Often, there is a small lever or clip on the hinge plate attached to the cabinet frame. Press this clip while gently lifting the door.
- Support the Door: Have someone help you hold the door as you release the last screw or clip.
- Label Everything: Use painter’s tape and a marker to label each door. Write “Top Left,” “Bottom Right,” etc. This saves massive headaches later if you plan to reinstall them.
- Store Hardware: Place the removed hinge screws and plates into a labeled bag. Do not mix them up!
Removing Drawers
Drawers usually slide out on metal tracks.
- Pull the drawer out all the way.
- Look for small plastic tabs or levers on the sides of the metal slides. Squeeze these tabs simultaneously.
- The drawer box should release from the track mounted inside the cabinet frame.
- Remove the drawer slides from the cabinet box itself using your drill once the box is out of the way, if you plan to disassemble kitchen cabinets completely.
Step 2: Preparing the Cabinet Box for Removal
Now that the doors and drawers are off, you can focus on separating the main box from the wall or floor.
Breaking the Seal
Cabinets are usually secured with more than just screws. Builders often use caulk or paint to seal the edges where the cabinet meets the wall or backsplash.
- Use a utility knife to carefully cut through any caulk lines around the perimeter of the cabinet. Be gentle to avoid scratching the wall surface.
- If the cabinet sits on a finished toe-kick or flooring, check if it is sealed there too.
Removing Countertop Supports (Base Cabinets Only)
If you are dealing with remove base cabinets, the countertop often supports them laterally. If the countertop is staying, you must support it before proceeding. If the countertop is being removed, ensure it is detached first.
- If the Countertop Stays: Do not proceed with remove base cabinets until the countertop is fully lifted away from the cabinet structure. A heavy countertop can fall if the base cabinets are removed prematurely.
Locating Mounting Screws
This is the most crucial part of how to uninstall kitchen cabinet sections. Cabinets are mounted to the wall studs (for uppers) or the floor/framing (for bases).
For Upper Cabinets (Detach upper cabinets or Take down wall cabinets)
Upper cabinets are almost always screwed directly into wall studs.
- Look inside the cabinet, usually near the top and bottom edges, or on the back panel near the top lip.
- You may find screws hidden under the cabinet crown molding or face frame trim. Remove the trim first if necessary.
- Count the screws. You might find four to six screws holding a standard upper cabinet.
For Base Cabinets (Remove base cabinets)
Base cabinets are usually screwed into wall studs at the back, and sometimes secured to each other where they meet.
- Check the back panel near the top edge for screws into the wall.
- If cabinets are installed side-by-side, look inside the cabinet boxes where they meet. Screws often attach one box directly to the next box. Remove these linking screws first.
Step 3: Safely Removing the Cabinet Box
With all hardware and seals removed, the box is only held by gravity and any remaining nails or screws. This is where safety and support are paramount. Always use a helper for this step, especially for heavy units.
Detaching Upper Cabinets
When you detach upper cabinets, you are fighting gravity. They must be supported from below as you remove the final fasteners.
- Set Up Support: Place sturdy sawhorses or a strong table covered with a blanket directly under the cabinet you are taking down wall cabinets from. The top of the support should be slightly below the bottom of the cabinet.
- Final Screw Removal: With your helper holding the cabinet steady, remove the last screws attaching the cabinet to the wall studs.
- Gentle Release: Once the last screw is out, slowly lower the cabinet onto your support structure. Do not drop it.
- Inspect Wall: Look for any remaining anchors or nails left in the wall. Pull these out carefully.
Detaching Upper Cabinets in Sections (For large runs)
If you have a long run of cabinets, it is easier to detach upper cabinets one section at a time.
- If two upper cabinets are screwed together side-by-side, remove the screws connecting them before taking them off the wall. This allows you to manage smaller, lighter pieces.
Removing Base Cabinets
Base cabinets are heavy and often full of plumbing connections. If you need to securely remove sink base cabinet, pay extra attention to the plumbing phase (Step 1).
- Check Plumbing Connections: If the sink base is still connected to water lines or a drain pipe, these must be disconnected before you try to move the box. Ensure the water is fully off and drain lines are capped or plugged if you anticipate any water leakage.
- Support: Base cabinets sit on the floor, so they are easier to support than uppers. Place a small block or shim under the edge you are lifting slightly.
- Pull Away: If they are screwed into the wall studs, remove those final screws. Gently pull the cabinet straight out from the wall. If it resists, check for any missed side-to-side screws connecting it to the next cabinet.
How to Securely Remove Sink Base Cabinet
The sink base cabinet is often the trickiest part of remove base cabinets because of the plumbing and garbage disposal weight.
- Disconnect the P-trap and supply lines. Have buckets ready for residual water.
- If the countertop rests on top of the sink base, ensure the countertop is supported or removed before moving the base cabinet.
- Once plumbing is clear, treat it like any other base cabinet for wall mounting screws.
Step 4: Dealing with Specialized Cabinets
Some cabinets require extra finesse during the cabinets removal process.
Built-in Appliances and Microwave Cabinets
Cabinets housing built-in microwaves or ovens often have specific mounting brackets.
- Unplug Appliances: Always unplug the appliance first. Check the cabinet manual if available to find the mounting clips or screws holding the appliance in place.
- Slide Out: Once released, slide the appliance out carefully. It may be heavy.
- Cabinet Box Removal: Once the appliance is out, the cabinet box is removed like any standard unit.
Corner Cabinets
Corner units can be awkward because they connect to two walls.
- Make sure you remove all screws connecting the corner cabinet to the adjacent straight cabinets on both sides.
- Remove all fasteners holding it to both intersecting wall studs.
- Lift straight out once all connections are severed.
Step 5: Finishing Up After Cabinet Removal
Once the cabinets are successfully removed, your job isn’t quite done. You need to secure the utilities and prep the space.
Capping Plumbing Lines
If you securely remove sink base cabinet and other plumbing fixtures, the water lines must be sealed.
- Use threaded end caps and pipe dope (plumber’s tape) to seal the water supply valves tightly. This prevents leaks while the area is open.
- Cap the open drain line securely with a test plug to stop sewer gases from entering the room.
Securing Electrical Connections
If you had to disconnect wiring for lights or disposals:
- Ensure the circuit breaker remains OFF.
- Wire nuts should be used to cap off all exposed wires inside junction boxes according to electrical safety codes. Never leave live wires exposed.
Wall Repair Preparation
The exposed wall now shows where the cabinets used to be.
- Remove all old screws, nails, and anchors from the drywall or plaster.
- Patch any large holes left by heavy-duty anchors.
- You will likely need to sand, prime, and repaint the area before installing new cabinets or finishing the space.
Tips for Success in Cabinet Removal
To make the process smooth and avoid common pitfalls when you uninstall kitchen cabinet sections:
- Work Top to Bottom: Always remove upper cabinets before base cabinets. This keeps the heavy uppers out of the way and prevents damage to the base cabinets if you were to remove them first.
- Measure Twice, Cut Once: If you plan to put the same cabinets back, measure the distance between the studs where they were mounted. Mark these locations clearly on the wall or on the side of the cabinet box.
- Protect the Floor: Lay down drop cloths or thick cardboard, especially where you slide base cabinets out. Hardwood floors scratch easily.
- Don’t Force Anything: If a cabinet resists moving, stop. There is almost certainly a hidden screw, nail, or connection you missed. Forcing it can tear large chunks out of your drywall.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I remove kitchen cabinets without shutting off the main water supply?
A: You should only need to turn off the local shut-off valves located directly under the sink for the hot and cold lines you are disconnecting. If those valves fail or don’t exist, you must shut off the main water line to the house before attempting to securely remove sink base cabinet.
Q: What if I can’t find the screws holding my upper cabinets?
A: Screws are often hidden. Check behind trim pieces, under the top lip of the cabinet frame, or sometimes they are drilled through the very top of the cabinet box directly into the wall stud. Sometimes, builders use long construction screws that go through the backer board of the cabinet directly into the studs. Look closely along the entire back edge.
Q: Do I need two people to take down wall cabinets?
A: Yes, it is highly recommended, even for small upper cabinets. Upper cabinets are awkward to handle, and trying to hold a heavy box steady while reaching for the last screw is dangerous. A helper ensures safety during the entire cabinets removal process.
Q: Is it better to disassemble kitchen cabinets completely (remove doors, drawers, and box) or move the whole box?
A: It is almost always better to disassemble kitchen cabinets by removing doors and drawers first. Moving the empty box is much lighter and safer. If the cabinet box itself is very large or awkwardly shaped (like a pantry), taking it off the wall in one piece might be okay, but always remove the hardware first.
Q: How do I remove the clips on hinges when taking off cabinet doors?
A: Most modern European-style hinges have a small plastic tab or lever near where the hinge attaches to the cabinet frame (not the door itself). Press this tab firmly while gently lifting the door up and away from the frame. If you can’t find a tab, search online for the specific hinge brand if possible, or carefully inspect the hinge mechanism for a release point.