Removing the Countertops
Here is a list of what we need to do to finish our kitchen.
- Remove the countertops
- Install new countertops
- Move electrical outlet
- Tile the backsplash
- Patch wall
- Paint
- Paint door
- Caulk moldings
- Polish cabinets
- Polish hardware
- Reconfigure cabinet storage
- Clean everything well and put it back
Last night we took the first step and removed the countertops because the company that is going to install our new ones is sending people to take measurements today. We saved a couple hundred dollars by taking out the counters ourselves. I am not sure that Douglas still believes it was worth it. Neither of us are sure why they could not take the measurements with the old counters in place, but we followed the instructions.
After dinner, we first had to remove all of the items from the counters and some of the cabinets. On a side note, that drop leaf table we found in the trash has been a godsend. It is so versatile and has been useful in so many occasions, as a kitty dining room, outside at a party. I am glad we rescued it.
The pile kept growing as we realized just how much we needed to remove. Finally, virtually everything was out there, even the kitchen sink!
Then, Douglas took out the wooden counter to the left of the stove. The previous owners used three nice pieces of wood in that section, and we will be saving them for future use.
Unfortunately, the strips of wood above the counter were glued to the drywall and caused a lot of damaged when he pulled them out. I say pulled, but in truth the process included pulling, cutting, sawing and chiseling to get those suckers out.
Now we have several nice holes in our walls. The wall behind the stove is going to be tiled, but the wall to the left we were planning to paint. It is going to take a lot of work to get it ready to paint.
The counters to the right of the stove were easy to detach from the cabinets, but it was a nightmare to separate the two pieces. It required removing the dishwasher and sink to get them out. Douglas was particularly upset that he is going to have to reinstall and remove and reinstall those appliances again before we are done with this kitchen.
In order to separate the two pieces of laminate, he had to hammer a chisel all the way down the seam to break the connection. Finally, the counters were fully disconnected.
Luckily, he has his trusty helper to assist every step of the way.
We will remove the counters tomorrow morning so that the measurements can be taken, but it is going to be another two weeks before the new counters are installed since they have to manufacture them. We will be replacing the old counters so that we can use the kitchen for the next couple of weeks. More fun!
So, as of now we can cross one item off of our list. Slow but steady wins the race, right?
Remove the countertops- Install new countertops
- Move electrical outlet
- Tile the backsplash
- Patch wall
- Paint
- Paint door
- Caulk moldings
- Polish cabinets
- Polish hardware
- Reconfigure cabinet storage
- Clean everything well and put it back
Happy Homemaking!
I am a teacher, traveler, artist, writer, homemaker and a whole lot more. In January 2009, I bought the Cape of Dreams. It was the second house that I had ever owned, but it was the first that I bought by myself. I now live in the house with my husband Douglas, our dog Kahlua, and Crème de Menthe, the cat. Because, what life is complete without a little Kahlua and Cream? I love arts and crafts of all kinds, and I refinish furniture as well. We are slowly redoing our entire house. You can read about my projects on my blog www.CapeofDreams.com
you left out a few steps. We still have to re-remove the old counters, because I have to temporarily reinstall them. Also, it is not just that I have to reinstall sink, dishwasher, etc, I have also then reuninstall, and re-reinstall them… Sigh… It will be worth in the end…
It will be worth it in the end. Keep your eyes on the prize! Also, I did mention the multiple reinstallations. 😉
You’ll be happy you did your own demolition in the long run. Charlie did most of ours slowly and carefully. The pros are faster but much more destructive. They’d rather rip it apart, buy new, and patch it later on your dime. Can’t wait to see the upgrade. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Those are words of wisdom, and they make me feel better! Thank you. You guys certainly had a lot more demolition than we did! Douglas is just stressing over the repairing of the holes in the wall right now, and he is getting me all worked up too.
I am so happy to see someone else’s house beginning to look like ours! Welcome to chaos! 🙂
When you’re at this stage, the end seems SO far away and the work seems overwhelming … but soon you will have gorgeous new counters. We used slabs of 3/4 in. plywood for temporary counters, and it worked great. If you have any questions, just ask Crème. She always looks like she knows what to do.
I just keep telling myself that it’s only for a short time. Hopefully, we will be motivated to get it done, and that will be true! I don’t know about trusting Creme, though. She just keeps telling us we are doing it wrong! 😉
Isn’t it interesting how real demolition is so unlike those “remodel in 3 days!” shows on cable? They’d be sledgehammering, chainsawing, and lobbing pieces of counter-tops through windows wouldn’t they? They don’t have to live in the chaos like real DIY’ers.
I’ll check back and see how it goes!
John
You are so right. It is also more challenging when you want to keep parts of your kitchen rather than demo the whole thing. It would have been so much easier to do a gut job! Thanks for taking the time to comment, John.
I once remodeled my mother-in-law’s house and lived in it for 3 months using cardboard and scraps of wood as a temporary countertop. Fun times. I look forward to following you along.
I hope we don’t have to go three months!!! I don’t think I could do it. I am going to keep following your progress as well.
Oh your little helper seems to never be tired!
She is relentless in her inspection! She only pauses to take a nap when we take a break. Are your cats as involved in your projects?