Cabinet making costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional cabinet removal costs $500 on average, with your small kitchen running $180 to $400 and large kitchens reaching $600 to $1,000.
Your kitchen size and the linear footage of cabinetry determine your total removal cost, with contractors charging per foot or hourly.
Budget for electrical or plumbing disconnection if your cabinets contain built-in appliances, and consider debris removal fees when planning your project.
Hiring a local cabinet professional keeps you safe by handling heavy lifting and protects nearby counters, floors, and plumbing from damage.
In 2026, the national average cost for cabinet removal is $500, though the exact price depends on kitchen size, linear footage of cabinetry, and local labor rates. Most homeowners spend $350 to $800, with contractors charging $15 to $20 per linear foot.
Your cabinet removal cost depends primarily on kitchen size and labor rates, with costs varying by the specific factors that make up your total budget.
Cabinet removal costs $15 to $20 per linear foot, with most contractors pricing the job based on the total length of cabinetry being removed. The table below shows how kitchen size (in square feet) and cabinet size (in linear feet) influence the cost to remove cabinets:
| Kitchen Size in Square Feet | Cabinet Size in Linear Feet | Average Cabinet Removal Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 70–100 | 12–20 | $180–$400 |
| 100–200 | 20–30 | $400–$600 |
| 200–400 | 30–50 | $600–$1,000 |
A local cabinet contractor or general contractor will remove your existing kitchen cabinets safely and efficiently, with many charging by the linear foot and others billing around $50 to $100 per hour. If your cabinets contain built-in appliances or utilities, you may also need a local electrician at $50 to $200 per hour or a local plumber at $45 to $200 per hour to handle disconnections before removal begins.
Whether tipping your remodeling contractor is necessary is a common question, and the short answer is no; contractors set their rates to reflect fair compensation. That said, if your crew went above and beyond, a tip of 10% to 20% of the total project cost is a reasonable gesture, or you can offer a meal or refreshments instead.
Here are a few projects you may want to consider while you plan your cabinet removal project:
Cost to install kitchen cabinets: $2,000–$10,600
Countertop costs: $1,900–$4,400
Tile flooring cost: $800–$3,000
New appliances cost: $350–$8,000
Cost to demo a kitchen: $300–$3,000
There are many reasons to leave this job to a pro. For one, you risk damaging nearby counters, floors, and appliances, and repairs could cost more than what you’d save by DIYing.
Plus, cabinets are heavy and often located near plumbing and electrical work, making it a risk to try removing them yourself. You’ll need to recruit a friend to help, and still you could risk shock, piercing the plumbing and causing a leak, or dropping the cabinetry and injuring yourself. Instead, let a cabinet contractor near you safely and efficiently handle removal.
There are several safety, financial, and time benefits to hiring a pro:
Cabinets are heavy, but pros can safely take down cabinets with minimal risk of injury or damage to nearby counters and floors.
Reputable cabinet contractors are licensed and insured, offering peace of mind in case of an accident.
Pros can inspect for and safely remove any cabinets with lead, asbestos, or mold.
DIY cabinet removal or installation could void material warranties.
If you want to reuse or sell the cabinets after removal, it’s best to let a pro remove them to minimize the risk of damaging the cabinets.
Pros will carefully remove old cabinets to minimize drywall damage and to avoid striking any plumbing or wiring in or behind cabinets.
Cabinet contractors can remove cabinets faster than if you DIY.
Cabinetry pros can even haul away the old materials for you.
The fastest, safest route for cabinet removal is to hire a pro. However, you can assist with this project by:
Removing doors, drawers, shelves, and hardware from the cabinets.
Clearing the area in and around the cabinets, including removing appliances and dishes from counters.
Renting a dumpster and cleaning up the construction debris yourself.
List used cabinetry in good condition for sale, or donate materials in good condition.
Keep these tips in mind to help you save on costs for your cabinet removal project:
Obtain quotes from at least three different contractors to find the best deal.
If you have the necessary skills and tools, consider removing the cabinets yourself.
Consider selling your old kitchen cabinets if they’re still in good condition after removal.
If planning a more extensive renovation, consider handling your cabinet removal with other projects to save on your overall cost.
Measure the size of the cabinets so that pros can give you the most accurate quotes for the job.
Make a plan for what to do with the cabinets after removal, especially if you plan to reuse, sell, or donate the cabinets.
Discuss costs for cleanup and junk removal, and compare whether to let the pros handle these tasks or rent a dumpster and DIY.
Clear all cabinets of food, dishware, and other objects.
Have an electrician and plumber come to mark and potentially relocate utilities before construction begins.
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We live in a condo and had space to add a tall cabinet. The problem was the space was already occupied by our catsâ litter box. We needed to still keep the litter box in that same corner. Beiler Custom Cabinets was able to work with our need and design request. What was created was an...
Beiler Custom Cabinets, LTDAbsolutely amazing, Rob and his team are extremely efficient and professional. Pink Dumpster Rentals, Demolition, And Hauling is a go to for getting my property cleared up so we can pursue the upgrades we want to make on our home.
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The Theater PeopleI couldn't be more pleased with the job Ryan and his team did! My old oak kitchen cabinets now look like brand new white ones. They were able to provide an estimate based on my photos that was far below other companies I checked with, and that was the final price too. They were able to come...
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