Blog>>Kitchen>Remove Kitchen Cabinets
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By:Jeremy Lydic|
Last Updated:05/24/2024
Time to Read: 15 min
Table of Contents
Can You Remove Your Kitchen Cabinets?Removing Upper Kitchen CabinetsRemoving Lower Kitchen CabinetsCan You Reuse Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Project Overview
Difficulty
Intermediate
Time to Complete
2-3 days
Project Cost
$$
The Complete Guide on Removing Kitchen Cabinets
Removing your kitchen cabinets can be the first step in a whole kitchen renovation or simply a way to give your kitchen a new look. It gives you a chance to restyle your kitchen or even dabble with modern open shelving. Whichever direction you go, this step-by-step guide will show you how to remove cabinets, both upper and lower.
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What to Know Before Removing Your Kitchen Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinet removal project begins with knowing how your cabinets were assembled. Regardless of the type of material used — plywood, melamine and hardwood being the most common — identifying how they were built and connected will help you remove them. How the cabinets are mounted to the wall determines if you can reuse your kitchen cabinets after removal. The most common assembly styles are:
Type of Cabinet | Description | How Are They Attached? | Good to Reuse? |
---|---|---|---|
Unitized | Built in place as one unit using the wall as the back. This style is commonly found in houses more than 25 years old. | Assembled and attached to the wall with nails or glue. | Not usually. |
Prefabricated | Assembled as individual units with their own back and arrive ready to install. Units are screwed together when installed, but can be removed individually. | Anchored to the wall using wood screws through the back of the unit or sides. | Yes. |
Ready-to-Assemble | Cabinets purchased as parts to be put together by the consumer. Have their own backs. Can be installed or removed individually. | Anchored to the wall using screws through the back of the unit or sides if necessary. | Yes. |
Frameless | Similar to prefabricated or ready-to-assemble cabinets, except the frames are small and hidden behind the doors. | Anchored to the wall by wood screws or sleeve-and-screw connectors. | Yes. |
Unitized Cabinets
Open your cabinet door and look at the back. If you can see your kitchen wall, you have unitized cabinets. Installers often use glue when building unitized cabinets into place. That can make removing cabinets from the wall a little trickier, and we’ll get into that further down in the How to Remove Glued Kitchen Cabinets section. If you’re removing glued kitchen cabinets, you probably won’t be able to reuse them.
Prefabricated Cabinets
Prefabricated cabinets — the most popular style in the U.S. — have back panels and can be easily removed for reuse. Wood screws typically anchor them into the wall studs. Drywall anchors or mounting strips may have been used if no studs were available.
Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets
Ready-to-assemble cabinets arrive in parts that need to be put together before you can install them. Aside from that, they are similar to prefabricated cabinets in how they are mounted, and aren’t more or less difficult to remove.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinets offer a more contemporary style by hiding their smaller frames behind the doors, which are attached directly to the cabinet box. They can offer more storage space and may use thicker material. Like prefabricated and ready-to-assemble, the individual frameless cabinets can be removed and reused easily.
Can I Remove Kitchen Cabinets Myself?
Yes, in most cases, kitchen cabinet removal is a simple DIY job that you can handle on your own. If you’re hiring a professional to remodel your kitchen or install new cabinets, removing the old ones yourself can save time and money. But when planning a kitchen remodeling project, it’s important to acknowledge what you can and can’t do. Consider hiring a professional if you have appliances built into your cabinets, particularly if your sink is plumbed into the cabinet or if you need to safely disconnect and remove your electric or gas oven. If you’re not 100% comfortable doing this work yourself, hiring a pro can save you major headaches and expensive mistakes.
How Do I Remove Kitchen Cabinets Without Damaging Them?
Unless your kitchen cabinets are unitized and were assembled on-site, keeping them intact shouldn’t be a problem — just don’t drop them. Before you get started, pay attention to the screwheads that connect the cabinets and hold them to the wall. If they’re still good, removing them is simple enough. If they’re damaged, you may need to use a hammer and crowbar/pry bar to get them off the wall and separate them.
How Do I Remove Kitchen Cabinets Without Damaging the Wall?
If you only need to remove the anchor screws, you won’t risk too much damage to the wall. Just remember to carefully pull cabinets away from the wall. If the wall was painted before the cabinets were attached, the wood may have fused slightly to the paint over the years. If you need to use the hammer or pry bar to remove your cabinets from the wall, you risk damage to the wall. To minimize damage, use your stud finder to locate the wall stud. Apply pressure from the pry bar to the stud area, otherwise you could damage the drywall. Keeping a piece of plywood between the pry bar and the wall allows the pressure to spread out rather than being concentrated on one spot, which helps you avoid damaging the wall.
How Much Does Kitchen Cabinet Removal Cost?
Hiring a pro will run you anywhere from $570 to $1,219, which includes labor and debris disposal, according to Homewyse.com. Removing kitchen cabinets yourself won’t cost you more than the tools you have to buy and material disposal. Time-wise, plan for at least two days of work. We recommend working with a buddy to stay on track.
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How to Remove Upper Kitchen Cabinets
To remove kitchen cabinets, you’ll be working in reverse order from how the cabinets were installed. Didn’t install the cabinets initially? Make sure your drill or electric screwdriver is fully charged and follow the steps below.
1. Gather Cabinet Removal Supplies
The tools and materials you’ll need to safely remove cabinets from the wall include:
Also, if you’re disposing of your cabinets or planning a larger kitchen renovation, consider renting a dumpster to get rid of your debris without having to wait for your city’s bulk waste collection day.
2. Prep Your Kitchen
Before you begin removing cabinets, follow these steps to prepare your kitchen: If you’re doing a full remodel or have appliances built into your cabinets, you’ll need to remove them as well. Again, if you’re unsure how to do that safely, contact a professional to disconnect and remove those appliances.
![Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (3) Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.budgetdumpster.com/images/blog/removing-lower-cabinets-600x300.jpg)
3. Prepare Your Kitchen Cabinets for Removal
Before you remove your kitchen cabinets: If you plan to reuse your cabinets, take these additional steps before moving on to cabinet removal:
![Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (4) Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.budgetdumpster.com/images/blog/removing-molding-from-cabinets-600x300.jpg)
4. Remove Caulk and Molding
Before removing your cabinets from the wall, detach any decorative exterior elements. Caulk and Paint: Use a utility knife to cut away any caulk sealing the gap between the cabinet edge and the wall or trim. This helps reduce damage to the wall and cabinets when dismantling. Use the same process if the cabinet edges were painted to the wall or each other. Take extra care if you want to save these materials: Continue until the molding or trim is loose enough to remove in one piece.
Molding and Trim: If you’re not saving the molding or trim, use a hammer to wedge a pry bar beneath the trim and pull it away from the cabinet.
5. Separate Cabinets From Each Other
This is easier if your cabinets are prefabricated. Locate the screws connecting the cabinets on the inner side panels. Use your drill or screwdriver to remove them. This lets you remove your upper kitchen cabinets one at a time. If your cabinets are older and were built as one unit, this doesn’t apply. You’ll need a helper to remove the unit in one piece if you plan to reuse your kitchen cabinets in the garage or elsewhere. If you’re tossing the old unitized cabinets, carefully use your reciprocating saw to make cuts from the front of the cabinets to the back, cutting the unit into sections. Be sure to check for hidden wires or plumbing before making cuts. Wear the appropriate safety gear as well.
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6. Remove Cabinets From Wall
Have your helper hold upper cabinets steady before you start taking out the screws anchoring the cabinets to the wall. Or, use pieces of scrap wood under the cabinet to support its weight. Otherwise, you may drop your cabinets, damaging them and your countertops. Be sure to wear your safety gear during your project.
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Quick Tip
If you’re not saving your backsplash, feel free to remove the tile before taking down your cabinets.
How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets Attached With Screws
How to Remove Glued Kitchen Cabinets
You’ll need to use your hammer and pry bar when removing glued kitchen cabinets, or cabinets held together with nails.
How to Remove Lower Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet removal is a little different with the lower units. You don’t have to worry as much about dropping them, so you can remove lower kitchen cabinets without damaging them or your wall as long as you pace yourself. But you can’t do anything until the countertop is out of the way. Countertops can get heavy depending on the material — the average granite countertop weighs 13 to 19 pounds per square foot — so consider working with a helper. If you’re replacing wood or laminate countertops and aren’t saving your cabinets, you can use your reciprocating saw to cut the countertop into sections that are easier to manage.
![Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (7) Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.budgetdumpster.com/images/blog/taking-off-kitchen-countertop-600x300.jpg)
1. Remove Countertop From Lower Cabinets
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Quick Tip
Some countertops, such as granite, need an adhesive or epoxy to hold them in place. Removing these types of countertops is more challenging, and you likely can’t do it without damaging the cabinets.
2. Separate the First Two Cabinets From Each Other
3. Remove Kitchen Cabinets One at a Time
4. Remove Any Corner Cabinets
Have a single cabinet installed between a wall and an appliance, like your refrigerator? It might seem like a tight spot but removing a corner cabinet isn’t tricky as long as you’re careful.
5. Carefully Remove the Cabinet Around Plumbing
Pipes and water lines going through the wood can make cabinet removal tricky, even with prefabricated cabinets. Cabinetry built around plumbing will likely need to be cut unless the installers left space between the pipes and the wall. If the bottom of your cabinet was drilled to fit the water intake lines, you’ll need to cut the wood. Use your reciprocating saw to carefully cut a large enough piece around the pipes so you can easily remove most of the existing cabinet. If the bottom of the cabinet is nailed to the base, use your pry bar to lift and remove it, leaving the small remaining piece that still surrounds the pipes. Using your saw, carefully cut slits in the remaining piece where the installer drilled holes for the pipe. Be careful not to let the saw rub against or cut the water pipe.
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Can You Reuse Kitchen Cabinets?
Yes, if you keep them in good shape when removing them, there are plenty of creative ways to reuse kitchen cabinets:
![Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (10) Removing Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.budgetdumpster.com/images/blog/cabinets-in-dumpster-600x300.jpg)
Three Common Ways to Get Rid of Cabinets
1. Throw Them Away
The materials used to make kitchen cabinets can safely go in a landfill. But odds are, you’re going to have way more debris than will fit in your garbage can. If you have a pickup truck and want to haul the load yourself, research your local landfills to see where you can throw away your old cabinets. Renting a roll off dumpster is a simple solution if you have more debris than you can haul yourself, or if you just want someone else to deal with it.
2. Donate Them
Nonprofits like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity will take your used kitchen cabinets if they’re in good shape. Habitat’s ReStore sells used furnishings, appliances and building materials at affordable prices for people who need them. Along with helping a member of your community update their living space, you’ll benefit from the tax receipt for your cabinets’ estimated resale value.
3. Sell Them
If you want to make a little extra coin on your cabinets, you can always try selling them. See if any of your neighbors want to take them off your hands. Or list them on Craigslist, OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace.
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Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches
Once you’ve made room for your beautiful new cabinets, you have a few more decisions to make. What color will you paint your walls to match your new cabinets? Do you need a new backsplash? Wouldn’t an island be amazing? Fortunately, we have everything you need to answer these questions and more.
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