How to Remove a Kitchen Island

One thing that can really pull a kitchen together in a unique way is a well-placed kitchen island. But what do you do if you have a kitchen island already in your space that you no longer want? Removing such a heavy piece might sound difficult—impossible, even—but fortunately, it is actually very doable. The cost to remove a kitchen island can be next to nothing, as well, if you're willing to put in the time.

When your kitchen island doesn't have any sort of power, gas or water hookup, it's actually quite easy to remove. The first step in the process is to remove any drawers or loose shelves. This way, when you move the unit, nothing will become loose and fall. This is important when you have breakable or sharp objects stored in your island, or when any sort of dropped items would damage your kitchen floor.

Next, you'll need to remove the countertop portion of the island, which may mean removing any screws that are holding it in place — or could even go as far as prying the countertop away from the unit, if it's glued on. If your kitchen island is secured to the floor, you'll also need to remove any fasteners. Typically, though, most islands are not attached to the floor.

Once you've loosened the unit, you can start taking it apart in sections. This process might require a saw to remove any lingering supports that don't want to budge. After the island is apart, you can either discard it or put it back together again in a new area as desired.

If your kitchen island has water or electrical hookups, you'll need to take some additional steps during the removal process. As with any home renovation or repair, if you're not completely comfortable with the type of work you'll need to do, it's best to call a professional.

If your island has water hookups, you'll need to shut off the cold and hot water valves, then remove the water lines through the bottom of the faucet. You'll also need to remove the fasteners that hold the island's sink in place, and then use a wrench to loosen and ultimately remove the drain fitting. Water remaining in the lines will likely leak out, so have something available to clean up. Once you remove the sink, you can leave the water lines where they are if you'd like to put a new island in the old one's place.

For electrical hookups, you'll need to start by turning off the electrical circuit and locking the electrical box so you don't accidentally shock yourself while working. Then, you'll disconnect the wiring from the outlets and switches, and pull the wires out of the boxes. From there, as you remove the island, you can pull the wires out of the access holes. You can choose to leave the wires there if you plan to install another kitchen island that will also have electrical hookups.

Once you've removed your old kitchen island, you may be in the market for a new one to replace it. These pieces can range in price, just as they come in a variety of styles and sizes. For instance, you can purchase a prefabricated kitchen island for between $600 and $900. However, if you're looking to get a kitchen island with electrical or water hookups, or additional features like a dishwasher, you might find yourself spending upwards of $5,000, depending on size and features.

A kitchen island is a great way to complete your kitchen, but you'll need to make sure its functions are well-suited to your needs. Both installation and removal should be approached cautiously and with plenty of preparation.