Before You Begin
1. Protect what you’re keeping, whether floors cabinets, appliances or fixtures.
2. Seal off the kitchen from the rest of the house to minimize dust and dirt in other areas.
3. Rent and schedule the delivery of a dumpster for non-salvageable items.
4. Make arrangements with Habitat for Humanity or another charity to haul off usable construction goods, cabinets, fixtures, hardware or appliances following the demolition. Your donation may qualify for a tax write off, so keep your documentation.
5. Pull a linoleum sample to test for asbestos. If it tests positive, make arrangements with an abatement team for floor removal. If it’s negative, you may safely remove the floor yourself.
If you are working with the help of a family member or friend, you may want to trade demolition and clean up responsibilities to keep your site clean and safe as you go. If you are working alone, clean up often to reduce hazards in the area.
Prepare Your Kitchen in 10-Steps
Work backwards from the way the kitchen was originally built to make removal easier. This is always the fastest way to strip out the kitchen while minimizing damage to fixtures, counters and cabinets intended for reuse or recycle.
1. Disconnect the gas, plumbing and electricity to your kitchen.
2. Disconnect the water and drain pipes from the dishwasher, sink and refrigerator.
3. Disconnect the gas from the oven and the electricity from any appliance that is hardwired directly into the wall.
4. Remove glass shades from light fixtures, outlet covers, heat registers and window coverings.
5. Pull out the appliances and remove faucets and sink attachments. Lift out the sink if it sits above the countertop.
6. Pry trim from around cabinets, windows and floor, removing the sink’s backsplash, wall tile, countertop and particleboard. Remove the sink if it sits below the countertop.
7. Remove the upper and base kitchen cabinets using a pry bar or drill.
8. Pull the old drywall or lathe & plaster off the ceiling and walls using a crowbar or prybar. Exercise extreme caution around electrical wiring and ductwork. Remove nails and insulation.
9. If your floor tested negative for asbestos, remove the various layers of linoleum and glue or floor tile and grout using a pry bar and rubber mallet.
10. Clean up waste and clear as much dirt and dust as possible to prepare for your new kitchen installation.
Be sure to keep your trash bucket, contractor trash bags, a shop vac, broom and dustpan handy to clean as you go.
Kitchen Layout
The classic work triangle recommends the total length between the stove, sink and refrigerator be between 12 and 22 feet. Evaluate your space. This is the perfect time to rearrange ill-fitted layouts into desirable work zones.
Kitchen Demolition
Before you begin tearing things apart, decide which pieces you wish to save for reuse later. Sinks and cabinets are likely contenders, but countertops and appliances are also viable. Make a plan to gently dismantle your existing kitchen.
Seal off the kitchen from the rest of your home to minimize dust and dirt spreading through the house. Carefully remove the items you wish to salvage, as well as pieces you can donate to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.