Homeowners know they can save money doing part of their kitchen renovation on their own. However, they may not realize how easy it is to do the demolition part of the renovation and get ready for the professionals to handle the rest. Those who want to get their hands a little dirty and do a part of the renovation on their own or those who want to save as much money on the kitchen renovation as possible will want to follow these five steps to remove the kitchen cabinets.
Rent a Dumpster Before Starting
Rent a dumpster before beginning. A Dumpster Rental provides the perfect place to dispose of the kitchen cabinets which are too large to go out with the regular trash. Plus, anything else that’s going to be tossed before or during the renovation can be put in the dumpsters, as well. Schedule the dumpster to arrive before the work begins, so there’s plenty of room to throw away anything that needs to be tossed. It can remain at the home as long as is necessary to contain all of the waste from the renovation.
Remove Any Caulking Around the Cabinet
Use a knife, razor, or caulk scraper to remove any caulking that may be around the cabinet. The upper cabinets may not have caulking, but the lower cabinets likely do, especially around the countertop. Take the time to pull out any appliances that may be in the way at this point to make sure there isn’t any caulking that would be hidden by the appliances. While removing the caulk, if the cabinets will not be kept, it’s not necessary to be as careful against the cabinets. Be sure, however, to avoid damaging anything that won’t be replaced, like the walls.
Take Off the Countertop if Applicable
For lower cabinets, it’s necessary to remove the countertop. Look underneath to see how it attaches and make sure it’s removed properly, especially if the countertop is going to be reused. Different materials may be attached in specific ways, and it’s easier to remove them properly than to try to break the counter and remove pieces. If there is a sink in the countertop, remove the caulk around the sink, turn off the water, then disconnect the plumbing. The sink can then be removed from the counter, so the counter can be taken off the cabinets.
Carefully Remove Screws and Pull Out the Cabinet
The cabinets, both upper and lower, will be screwed to the walls. It’s important to unscrew them carefully to avoid damage to the walls or the studs. As the cabinets are unscrewed, they can be pulled away from the wall. Take care when taking the screws out of upper cabinets so they don’t fall. This is generally a two-person job, so one can take the screws out while the other holds the cabinet to keep it from falling. If any screws are stripped, remove them using a screw extractor.
Toss the Old Cabinets and Prepare for New Ones
After the cabinets are removed, they can be tossed in the dumpster. If they are heavy, it’s possible to break them down and toss the individual pieces in the dumpster to make them easier to move. This also helps conserve space in the dumpster for more waste from the renovation.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, save some money by taking out the cabinets by yourself. Follow the steps here to remove the cabinets properly and get ready for the new ones that will be installed.
