Has anyone ever taken out their own kitchen prior to a refurb?

[AmericanPastoral]

We're having my mum's old house rewired and the electrician would like the kitchen out and the carpets up before he starts his work. We thought we could probably take the carpets and lino up ourselves and maybe the kitchen but just wondered if we were over estimating our abilities with regard to the kitchen. Has anyone ever taken out their own kitchen - we might have to get someone to remove the old gas cooker - but apart from that maybe we could manage? Thanks.

[shovetheholly]

I would think this would be relatively straightforward - you will need someone qualified to sort out the gas, and you might want a plumber to be on the safe side too.

But dismantling cupboards, worktops and taking out carpets etc. is not difficult at all. Packing the crockery, glasses etc will probably take more time than knocking the cupboards out!

[AmericanPastoral]

Thanks very much shove. Cupboards are clear so just need to sort out the tools.

[shovetheholly]

You can go a long way in destruction with nothing but a sledgehammer . However, another idea occurs to me - if the kitchen is in a reasonable state, you could offer it on Freecycle, on the proviso that someone else comes and removes it?

[Bobochic]

You could do this but, when I needed a kitchen taking out recently it was quite cheap to get someone to do it for me.

[AnnaLP]

Good idea about selling it to someone else and then they can remove it. Someone suggested we do that with our kitchen back in the spring as it was a bespoke oak kitchen but about 30 years old. Then I got thinking that if someone else might buy it why don't I re-use it.

We removed most of the cupboards (because we were knocking through to the dining room) but left what we could in-situ. Re-positioned cupboards where we could (that took quite a lot of planning and some cupboards had to be cut down in size) then had the cupboard doors re-painted, new handles and worktops and it looks fab. I now have a hand-painted bespoke kitchen for next to nothing cost wise.

[AmericanPastoral]

shove AnnaLP thanks - it's an old kitchen no-one else could possibly want so we'll be getting rid.

Bobo - thanks - it's probably worth getting a quote for removal.

[Qwebec]

Unless it is a wreak, there are multiple uses for an old kitchen: storage/work surface in a shed, in a green house, in a workshop, children play room, crafts room etc... for those areas it does not alwaysneed to look fashionable and cheap means less worry if damage happens by accident.

[AnnieOnnieMouse]

We took our old kitchen out ourselves, and Freegled it, and fitted the new one ourselves, including the tiling, plumbing and flooring. People on Freegle are always on the lookout for old kitchens for fitting in garages, workrooms, etc. Taking it out yourself and rehoming it keeps it out of landfill. Only things that went into landfill were the old plastic wastepipes and the tiles; everything else was rehomed or recycled.
ilovefreegle.org

[May09Bump]

Yep, just did take one out of our renovation - quite easy except for cooker etc. Need electrician and gas to remove them. We had to skip ours - very grim indeed.

[AmericanPastoral]

Thanks Annie. I hadn't heard of freegle. Thanks May. I fear ours may be grim as well.

[eyebrowsonfleek]

We did it easily.

[BeMorePanda]

My friend has "sold" 2 kitchens on eBay for fairly nominal amounts on the condition the buyers remove it. Worked out well twice for them.

[WidowWadman]

Done this not too long ago, was quite cathartic

[JustWantToBeDorisAgain]

I've picked up and old kitchen and refitted it as garage units ( worked really well) am going to ask my new neighbour if hers needs anew home when she gets her new kitchen next month

[SpringSpringSpring]

We took ours out ourselves and freecycled it too. We just got someone to disconnect the gas and radiator (it was the same guy who was connecting the new ones so paid all in one go).

[Vixster99]

DH & I removed all the units ourselves. Not difficult, just needed 2 people because of the weight. We installed some of the units in the garage, but the grimmest went quite unashamedly to the tip, as did the lino (2 layers of it).
We also removed all the tiles: that was extremely satisfying! They had been there for over 30 years & came off very easily, mostly intact without damaging the plaster. Made a LOT of mess though!

[AmericanPastoral]

We successfully removed most of the kitchen at the weekend. Just the sink and surrounding units to tackle. Very therapeutic and satisfying. Thanks for -all the advice and encouragement.

[shovetheholly]

Well done you!! Really glad you did it - it's a great feeling afterwards, isn't it?

[AmericanPastoral]

Thanks shove - such a good feeling We took the dismantled units to the skip today - feeling very productive. Would never have thought it was possible!

[shovetheholly]

I know! There's so much stuff that is actually really, really doable when you get stuck in. It's just the thought of the unknown that is scary!!