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How to remove kitchen cabinets and benchtops

The image shows a completely stripped kitchen space with drywall patches and exposed flooring.

Overview

Whether you’re renovating or replacing a tired old kitchen, removing your existing benchtop and cabinets is a great D.I.Y. project to take on yourself - as long as you follow the right steps. This guide walks you through the safe and simple process of removing your kitchen benchtop, wall cabinets and base units, so you can start fresh with your new kitchen design.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. 

Steps

1Protect the flooring

Before anything else, remove all items from your cabinets, drawers and shelves. This clears your workspace and makes each section lighter and easier to handle during removal. It also helps prevent any damage to your belongings. Next, lay down protective drop sheets or floor covering to keep your flooring safe from dust, scratches and falling debris. This is especially important if you're keeping your existing floors during the renovation.
A Bunnings Team Member is laying a blue protective mat on the kitchen floor to keep your flooring safe from dust, scratches and falling debris.

2Disconnect services professionally

Before moving any fixtures, you must get a licensed plumber and electrician to disconnect any gas, water or electrical connections. This includes appliances like ovens, cooktops and dishwashers. These services must be made safe before any removal work begins, and doing it yourself is both unsafe and not permitted by law.
A person is disconnecting a gas cooktop carefully before any removal work begins.

3Remove doors, drawers and shelves

With the area cleared and services disconnected, start by removing any doors, drawers and loose shelves from the cabinets. This makes each cabinet lighter and more manageable, reducing the risk of damage or injury during the removal.
A Bunnings Team Member is removing a kitchen cabinet door.

4Attach the adjustable feet

With the main cabinet box assembled, attach the adjustable feet using the pre-drilled holes underneath the base. Set each foot to a height of 145mm. These feet are essential for leveling your cabinet, particularly on floors that aren’t perfectly flat. Maintaining this height is also important as it aligns with standard kicker board dimensions used in most cabinetry setups.
A Bunnings Team Member is using a power drill to unscrew and remove a wall cabinet.

5Remove the splashback

Once the wall cabinets are down, you can move on to the splashback. This is often easier to remove before tackling the benchtop. Depending on how it was installed, removing the splashback tiles may pull some plaster with it. To help avoid this, use a utility knife or multi-tool to score along the top and sides of the tiled area. Then gently work a pry bar or scraper behind the splashback to lift it away. This is usually quicker than removing tiles one by one.
A Bunnings Team Member is removing a splashback from a kitchen wall.

6Lift out the benchtop

With the splashback out, you can now remove the benchtop. Start by unscrewing any fasteners holding it in place. If the benchtop is sealed with silicone or adhesive, score along the edges using a utility knife. Then carefully lift it free using a pry bar. Take your time - benchtops can be quite heavy and may require a second person to help with lifting.
A Bunnings Team Member is carefully removing a kitchen benchtop.

7Remove the base cabinets

Now that the benchtop is gone, you can start removing the base cabinets. These are typically fixed to the wall or floor using screws or brackets. Use your drill or screwdriver to undo these fixings. If any units are joined together, unscrew them from each other first to make removal easier.
A person wearing gloves and work boots is using a power drill to unscrew a base cabinet during a kitchen renovation.

8Take off the kickboards

Kickboards are usually attached to the base of your cabinets either with clips or screws. Remove these using a drill, and if necessary, gently pry them off using a pry bar. Be careful not to damage surrounding cabinetry or walls if you’re planning to reuse them.
A person is using a pry bar to remove a kickboard from the base cabinet during a kitchen renovation.

9Clean up and prepare for the next step

Once everything is out, give the space a thorough clean. Remove leftover screws, debris and dust. Use wall filler to patch any holes or wall damage so you’re left with a clean, blank slate for your new kitchen installation.
A person is cleaning the floor and removing leftover screws, debris and dust.

10Now that you’ve removed kitchen cabinets and benchtop

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.