How to Remove Kitchen Cabinets
You can remove your kitchen cabinets easily with a screwdriver and an extra set of hands. Though you can hire a professional, doing it yourself will save you money.
Written by Lynell Spencer
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
To remove kitchen cabinets, you will need basic tools like a screwdriver, wrench, and a crowbar. You don’t need a professional for this work, but if you want your cabinets to remain intact, it can help to have a partner.
If you have watched any home renovation show ever, you know that “demo day” is the most fun part of a renovation. But, removing kitchen cabinets doesn’t require full-on demolition—it just takes a couple of tools, some elbow grease, and a lot of stamina. If you do it right, you can even keep your cabinets intact to reuse, donate, or even sell them for a little extra cash.
Insurance
super app
Jerry is all about the extra cash—whether it is by saving you money on your home insurance
or saving you money on your DIY kitchen remodel. So read on, and let Jerry
give you a step-by-step guide for how to remove kitchen cabinets.Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Shop Now
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How to disassemble kitchen cabinets
Whether you are remodeling your whole kitchen—or just doing a little spruce up—replacing your cabinets has a major impact on the look of your house.
If you are going to rip out kitchen cabinets, it is important to do so in a way that won’t damage your walls, counters, or other areas of your home. What’s more, if you remove your cabinets without damaging them, they can be upcycled, reused, or resold—which benefits you and the environment.
Here is what you need to have to get started:
Materials and tools
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Dust mask
- Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Putty knives
- Crowbar or pry bar
MORE: Can you negotiate upgrades on new construction homes?
Prepare the kitchen
Once you have assembled all your tools, you will need to prepare your kitchen for the work you are about to do.
Before you can get to the cabinets, you will need to move other fixtures to a secure spot. Start by taking out your appliances—including your dishwasher, refrigerator, range hood, and stove. This will require disconnecting electricity and water, so call in a pro if you aren’t confident about that work.
Remove the sink
- Disconnect the water supply lines to the faucet, the drainpipe, and any garbage disposal attachments
- Cut through the caulking around the sink
- Unscrew the sink from the countertop
- Lift the sink out
Remove the countertops
Your countertops are most likely secured from the bottom. Look inside your lower cabinets and disconnect all the screws holding your countertops in place. Use a utility knife to cut through the caulking between the countertop and the wall.
You should be able to pull your countertops off now and set them aside.
Remove trim and molding
Remove all the molding and trim from the cabinets. This can be a delicate process. Trim can crack or break easily. Use a putty knife to pry directly where the nails are so that you can gently remove them.
Remove the drawers and doors
Next, take out all of the drawers and remove the cabinet doors. Drawers should lift out easily—but look for any locks on the rails that may hold them in place.
Depending on the type of cabinet you have, you may have quick-release doors that make for easy removal. If not, you will need to unscrew all of the hinges to remove your cabinet doors.
Pro Tip As you work, make sure to keep a bag or box handy for storing small fasteners and other parts.
Remove the lower cabinets
Once you have the area prepped, remove the lower cabinets. This way, you will have easier access to the upper cabinets, which can be a bit trickier.
Start by removing the screws that attach cabinets to the wall and the adjoining cabinets. Pull the cabinets out gently, using a pry bar only if the cabinets are glued or painted to the wall.
Remove the upper cabinets
Once you’ve taken out the lower cabinets, it’s time to remove the upper cabinets. This work is best done with a partner so that you have someone to catch the cabinet as the last screws are removed. Here’s what to do:
- Start by taking out the screws between cabinets that attach them
- Next, working one cabinet at a time, remove the bottom screws and then the top. Make sure you have someone underneath the cabinet to catch it as it comes down
- Work your way around the room, removing each cabinet
Now that your cabinets have been removed, your kitchen is a blank canvas—ready for whatever you have planned next!
MORE: How to decipher home insurance quotes
Does homeowners insurance cover cabinets?
Your cabinets are protected under your home insurance policy for the same perils that cover the rest of your house. Make sure that you know which perils are covered in your policy—typically these include fire, vandalism, and other common occurrences.
However, if your cabinets are damaged while you are renovating, you are on the hook for the replacement cost—so be careful and work safely!
How to find affordable home insurance
If you are in the process of renovating all (or part) of your home, you are changing your home’s overall value—which will impact your
home insurance
policy. Since you already need to make changes, this is a great time to see if there are savings out there. This requires comparison shopping, looking for bundling and discount options, and requesting quotes. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
“Jerrywas wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Can I remove kitchen cabinets myself?
Removing your cabinets can mostly be done by you alone, but if you are working with upper cabinets, you are going to want one or two helpers to catch them as they come off the wall and to support them while you are removing the last screw.
If you are planning to sell or reuse the cabinets, working with a partner assures that they won’t get damaged.
How do you remove kitchen counters intact?
To make sure your counters stay intact when you remove them, make sure to gently pry them away from the lower counters once you have removed all the screws holding them in place. Then, cut through the caulking, and have a partner help you lift the counter away from its base.
Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance
Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!
4.7
