How to Tear Out Cabinets

If you plan to keep your old kitchen cabinets for any purpose, you're going to have to be careful and not destroy them. Even if you're not planning on using them yourself, you can always donate them to a home building charity or to a thrift store.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Putty knife
• Power drill with the proper bit
• Storage space
• Stool (optional)

1. Find someone to help you. You're not going to be able to do this alone, unless you want to hurt yourself or ruin the cabinets.

2. Remove all doors and drawers. Set them aside and out of the way. Take care to remove any plumbing and uninstall the sink before tackling this job. If you need to, remove kitchen appliances before getting started.

3. Take off the countertop. Use a putty knife to cut into the caulk that seals the backsplash to the wall. If the counter is glued to the cabinets, use the same procedure. If it's screwed on, use your drill to remove the screws. Pull the countertop off and set it in storage.

4. Start with the bottom cabinets. Use your putty knife to cut any caulk sealing the cabinets to the wall. Locate the screws that hold the cabinets to the wall (usually on the inside of the cabinet on the side or rear panels). Unscrew these with your power drill. Have your friend help you pull the cabinets away from the wall and move them to a storage area. Repeat for every lower cabinet until they're all removed.

5. Repeat the process for the upper cabinets, except this time, have your friend hold the cabinets in place while you unscrew them. Use the stool if you can't get enough leverage standing on the floor. Take the cabinets to your storage area.

Tips & Warnings

• Patch and paint any areas that will be exposed if you're not installing new cabinets in the same places.
• Transport the old cabinets and unload them at their new location before putting the doors on and drawers back in.
• Your friend must be strong enough to hold the cabinet in place while you're unscrewing it. You run the risk of dropping the unit onto yourself or someone else and causing injury.