How to Remove Kitchen Cabinet? Easy And Step by Step Guide

Introduction

Taking down kitchen cabinets is easier than most people think. You don’t need special construction skills or professional tools. With basic equipment, a helper, and some patience, you will be able to remove your kitchen cupboards in one day.

Follow the below 3 main processes, and you will learn how to remove kitchen cabinet, which includes preparations, removing the cabinets safely, and cleaning up. Follow our step-by-step guide, and let’s do it.

Tools You Need

Here are the basic tools for removing kitchen cabinets:

• Phillips head screwdriver – Removes most cabinet screws
• Hammer – Helps pull out nails and tap stuck parts loose
• Power drill – Makes screw removal much faster than hand tools
• Bucket – Keeps screws and small hardware organized
• Safety glasses – Protects your eyes from foreign objects.
• Gloves – Prevents splinters and cuts on your hands
• Pry bar – Separates cabinets stuck to walls using caulk or paint.
• End nipper pliers – Grabs and pulls out stubborn nails
• Putty knife – Cuts through caulk lines cleanly

Most people already own these tools. If you don’t have a power drill, you can rent one for about $30 per day. Using a drill instead of a screwdriver saves hours of work.

Other Things Need to Prepare Before Dismantling

Take Photos and Measurements

Snap pictures of your cabinets before you start.

• How doors align with each other
• Where each cabinet connects to the wall
• The layout of your kitchen storage

Measure cabinet sizes if you plan to sell them or move them to another room. Write down the measurements on masking tape stuck to each cabinet.

Empty Your Kitchen

Remove kitchen stuffs from your cabinets. Place dishes, food, and small appliances in boxes. Place them in another room where they will not become dusty or damaged.
Don’t forget items on top of your cabinets. Many people store dishes or decorations up there.

Shut Off Gas, Electrical and Water

Shut down utilities before you start working. This prevents accidents if you accidentally hit a wire or pipe.

• Electricity – Flip the breaker for kitchen outlets
• Water – Shut off valves under the sink
• Gas – Turn off valves under the sink.

Test that utilities are off by trying light switches and turning on faucets.

Get a Helper

Kitchen cabinets are heavy and awkward. Wall cabinets weigh 50-80 pounds when empty. Base cabinets with countertops can weigh over 100 pounds.
Your helper doesn’t need to be strong. They just need to support one end while you work on the other. Two people can remove cabinets safely without dropping them.

Protect the Floor and Countertop

Cover your floors with old blankets or cardboard. Cabinet removal creates dust and small debris that scratches hardwood or tile.
If you’re keeping your countertops, cover them with plastic sheeting. Granite and marble chip easily if you drop tools on them.

Take Stuff Out the Cabinet

Double-check that cabinets are completely empty. Look in the back corners where items sometimes hide. Remove shelf paper if you plan to reuse the cabinets.

Remove Under-Cabinet Lighting

Unplug or disconnect any lights mounted under your wall cabinets. Remove the light fixtures completely so they don’t get damaged during cabinet removal.
Some under-cabinet lights are hardwired. If you’re not confident doing electrical work, call an electrician for this phase.

Steps to Remove Kitchen Cabinet

How to Remove Wall Cabinets

1. Remove the Cabinet Doors

Take off all cabinet doors first. This can reduce the weight of cabinet, can you can handle it easier.
Open each door and look for the hinges. Most hinges have two screws holding them to the cabinet frame. To remove these screws, use your Phillips head screwdriver.

Some European-style hinges have clips instead of screws. Press the clip and pull the door away from the cabinet.
Keep doors and hinges together. Put the hinge screws in a small bag taped to the inside of each door.

2. Unscrew the Cabinet

Look inside the cabinet for screws that attach it to the wall. Most cabinets have 2-4 screws going through the back panel into wall studs.
Use a power drill to remove these screws. Keep the screws in your bag; you may need them later.

3. Remove Screws Connecting Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets connect to each other with screws through their side panels. Look for these screws inside the cabinets near the front edge.
Remove these connection screws to separate each cabinet from its neighbors.

4. Remove the Decorative Trim

Many kitchens have decorative trim pieces between cabinets and the ceiling. Using your utility knife to cut through any caulk or paint holding the trim.
Slightly pry the trim away from the wall with your pry bar. Work gently to avoid cracking the trim if you want to reuse it.

5. Pry Down Nailed Cabinets

Some older cabinets are nailed to the wall instead of screwed. If you can’t find screws, look for nail heads in the back panel.
Use your pry bar to carefully pull the cabinet away from the wall. Your helper should support the cabinet while you pry.

6. Lift Carefully

With all connections removed, you and your helper can lift the cabinet off its wall mounting system. Most wall cabinets hang on a rail or cleat attached to the wall.
Lift straight up about 1/4 inch, then pull the bottom of the cabinet toward you. The cabinet should come free from the wall.

How to Remove Base Cabinets

1. Remove the Countertops

Most countertops are held down with screws from underneath. Crawl under your cabinets with a flashlight to find these screws.
Remove the screws with your drill. Some countertops also have caulk around the edges. Cut through this caulk with your utility knife.
Granite and stone countertops are extremely heavy. You may need 3-4 people to lift them safely. Consider hiring pros for stone countertop removal.

2. Remove the Drawers and Shelves

Uninstall all removable shelves and drawers. This makes the base cabinets much lighter.
Most shelves just lift out. Drawers usually pull straight out, but some have clips or stops you need to press.

3. Deal with the Kitchen Sink

You might not need to remove your sink completely. But you do need to disconnect the plumbing.

Turn off the water valves beneath the sink. Disconnect the supply lines from the faucet by use your pliers. Put a bucket under the connections to catch dripping water.
Disconnect the drain pipe from the g

4. Cut the Caulk

Run your utility knife along all caulk lines where cabinets meet the wall or floor. This prevents the caulk from tearing paint off your walls when you remove the cabinets.

5. Remove the Toe Kick

The toe kick is the strip at the bottom front of your base cabinets. Most toe kicks are secured with little nails or clips.

Use your pry bar to carefully pull the toe kick away from the cabinet. Begin from one end and work your way across.

6. Take Off Cabinet Doors

Remove base cabinet doors the same way you removed wall cabinet doors. Unscrew the hinges and keep the hardware with each door.
If you have Q12 certified doors, you can release them with one click using the quick-release mechanism on the hinges.

7. Remove Screws

Look for screws connecting base cabinets to the wall and to each other. Base cabinets usually have screws through the back panel into wall studs.

Remove all connection screws between neighboring cabinets.

8. Lift the Cabinets Out

Base cabinets are heavier than wall cabinets, but easier to move since you’re not working overhead.

You and your helper can usually slide base cabinets away from the wall once all screws are removed. Tilt them a bit to clear any uneven flooring.

Finishing Touches

Patch Up

After removing your cabinets, you’ll see screw holes in your walls. Fill the holes with spackling putty or wood fill.

Don’t forget to sand the filler smooth after allowing it to completely dry. Prime the patched areas before painting to keep the patches from showing through the new paint.

Label the Cabinets

If you plan to reuse or sell your cabinets, label each cabinet clearly. Use masking tape and a permanent marker to write:

• What room did the cabinet come from
• Where it was located
• The cabinet’s measurements

Put all loose screws in labeled bags. Tape these bags to the inside of each cabinet to avoid lost.

Clean Up

Sweep up all debris from your kitchen. Cabinet removal creates a lot of dust and small wood pieces.

Check your floors for any scratches. Small scratches in hardwood can often be buffed out with wood polish.

Wipe down your walls where the cabinets were mounted. You’ll likely see dust and dirt that was hidden behind the cabinets for years.

Conclusion

Removing kitchen cabinets is a simple project that most homeowners can complete. The key is good preparation, choosing the right tools, and having someone help you with the heavy lifting.

By reading this complete guide, you have gained knowledge, and you’re able to remove kitchen cabinets.

FAQs

1. Is It Hard to Remove Kitchen Cabinets?

Removing kitchen cabinets is simple provided you have the necessary equipment and a helper. You don’t need construction skills. The hardest part is usually dealing with old caulk and paint that makes cabinets stick to walls.

2. How Long Will It Take to Remove Kitchen Cabinet?

A typical kitchen takes 4-8 hours to remove all cabinets. Small kitchens with 8-10 cabinets take about 4 hours. Large kitchens with 20+ cabinets can take 8 hours or more.

Time you will spend will depends on:

• Qualities of cabinets you have
• Whether you’re keeping the cabinets (requires more careful work)
• How stuck the cabinets are to the walls
• Whether you have help

3. Can I Remove Kitchen Cabinets Myself?

Sure, you can remove kitchen cabinets by yourself. You will need a helper for the actual lifting and moving, but you don’t need to hire professionals.

4. Cost to Remove Kitchen Cabinets

Professional cabinet removal costs $300-800 for an average kitchen. The price depends on:

• How many cabinets you have
• Whether you want them disposed of or carefully preserved
• Local labor rates

Doing it yourself costs almost nothing except tool rental if needed. Most people already own the tools.