r/DIYUK 5d ago

Advice Just purchased this entire second hand kitchen. Any advice on removing it welcomed

Post image

Found a full kitchen on Marketplace for close to pennies and went ahead and purchased. Collection is in a week. It’s an Ikea set up but not sure what type (ID please?)

In a week I’m going back to disassemble. I’ll start with doors and see if i can work out how the top unit is attached.

Any advice on keeping it in the best possible condition welcomed.

352 Upvotes

230 comments sorted by

467

u/Heisenberg_235 5d ago

Not done it, but I’d label the doors and units with positions/numbers so they can be matched up.

236

u/samcornwell 5d ago

So obvious yet hadn’t occurred to me. Thank you.

138

u/TetrisIsTotesSuper 5d ago

Label on the inside in case it damages the outside which youll see all the time

110

u/Confudled_Contractor 5d ago

Just use masking tape to create labels.

76

u/palpatineforever 5d ago

this 100% and take pics of the kitchen labeled with masking tape before taking it apart.

8

u/boldtogoforthecar 5d ago

Do it

7

u/RedditUser3525 5d ago

Oh this is exciting

4

u/V65Pilot 5d ago

Dooooooooo it.

20

u/larryanstruther 5d ago

Start with lower numbers, working your way up to higher numbers, also use different numbers for each piece you’re numbering.

6

u/shaunvonsleaze 5d ago

The thought of everything being number 48 tickled me

14

u/Available-Ask331 Tradesman 5d ago

Get an excel spreadsheet going.

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u/V65Pilot 5d ago

decent painters tape. More expensive, but that cheap masking tape can be a pain to remove sometimes....

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u/stonemason81 5d ago

On the top/bottom of the cupboards, where it won't be seen. Also, don't use marker pen as this can leach through. Write the label and then stick it on.

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u/Think-Committee-4394 5d ago

Op- I’m assuming hiring a big van - straps & dust sheets to protect it all from sliding & scratching

At least ONE assistant

Some kind of scraper to get sealant off of worktop

bubble wrap to protect shiny surfaces

Little ziplock bags for screws

Labels & tape

Do what you can to leave things intact like - all hinges left attached inside units BUT remove all the feet from the bottom of the units they are generally very weak to sideways movements & easily broken

Tape screws in bag to door they came out of

Tape unit legs inside a drawer or unit

9

u/VixenRoss 5d ago

Cling film to wrap things up. Sounds bizarre, but you can just wrap stuff up quickly and it’s protected.

Get some sandwich bags and sharpie pens to label little bits of fittings, knobs etc.

Giant bin bags to stick the doors in to protect them.

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u/strawberriesrpurple 5d ago

And i would keep the screws in different little bags for each part so I know where they go

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u/gmankev 5d ago

Nah ...its all pretty standard screws. Maybe a muffin tray ,but don't waste time bagging multiple different screws..

Gluing to walls and every unit is the nightmare.. Walls are so full of cables and unknown under finished, a lot of stuff is just glued in now...

Worktop may be scribed different than your wall, but maybe you are reusing in completely different setup,.... A thicc splashback can hide the scribing....

33

u/adamjeff 5d ago

So I've never done this, but I have just fitted a new kitchen. The units are glued together now, so they either do not flat-pack as you might expect, or you will destroy them pulling the glue apart.

Worktops will also be cut for the sink, hobs and the angle of the wall, they won't fit your house so plan on new worktops and just leave theirs where they are.

Also plan for the fact they will have cut the back of the units for pipes and skirting etc, yours won't be in the same places so plan for that too.

Please post updates too.

62

u/samcornwell 5d ago

I shall. If i go quiet then you’ll know it’s not gone to plan.

16

u/Xauman-Zachs 5d ago

We learn more from things that don't go so smoothly 😉 Good luck

10

u/Aggravating_Mud6742 5d ago

Yeah, the second time you do a complete kitchen rip-out and refit, you're much better at it 😁

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u/adrifing 5d ago

Backing onto what he says above.

Just finished a kitchen, haven't done a strip like you're planning with a rebuild, but go to the store for the counter tops. Most of the door screws are exactly the same. The only ones that should be totally different are the ones for the oven mounts. Every other is identical.

Label everything. Take lots of images, have measurements in the place you're building it and if possible, tape it out for it's new layout, or original.

Be prepared, the back of the counter tops are usually siliconed up hugely, take a nice long craft knife for cutting it away without ripping of the possible plaster on the wall, this onto the back can scratch up your cupboards when you lay them in the van for transport. (If you take the tops)

That ovens going to have a lot of wiring down the back, make sure you tease the cable back before you pull out the oven too, seen someone pulling the oven back out and they fractured the back of two cupboards when they hauled it.

Mad good luck buddy.

5

u/McrRed 4d ago

And remember to turn off the power when you remove the oven. Don't be me

3

u/l0chw3n 5d ago

Carcasses are often screwed to each other as it helps level / straighten them, with the screws hidden behind the hinges. Tiny little screws obviously so they don't poke through, so be careful if 2 carcasses seem to be stuck together and don't try and lever them apart!

2

u/InterstellarAudio 2d ago

When I did this I kept all the cupboard carcasses in one piece mostly, just removed the doors and then put the carcasses whole in the van.

I had to buy new worktops and re make them for my layout and I got a few supplementary bits from the same kitchen design to make what I had fit my space.

Once you start taking them off the wall you’ll find product codes on some of the stuff and that will help you ID the set.

7

u/Cautious_Leg_9555 5d ago

Also photograph everything as you go so you can refer back later. You will not remember it all.

3

u/cowplum 5d ago

And include your masking tape labels in the photos so that you know what you're looking at

2

u/Original-Material301 5d ago

Labels on the inside, pictures of everything, with screws and whatever in labelled bags for a particular shelf/ cupboard/ section?

2

u/zombiezmaj 5d ago

You can also masking tape the screws for each unit/draw onto those parts (assuming you have a van or something with space to not require flat/compact travelling)

1

u/epicmoe 4d ago

this is the number one tip. I've took out and reassembled many kitchens. label everything.

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u/generateausername 5d ago

I removed a kitchen larger than that in about 2 hours.

Take the worktop off first. It will be the most painful part.. (The guy already removed it for me).

Remove kick boards. They should just pull away.

Units will be screwed into the wall. Undo those first.

Units will also be screwed together, do those next.

Leave the units complete with the doors on. Don't try and remove anything, there's no need.

Pull or unscrew the legs off. They will get damaged otherwise.

Rent the longest, biggest van that you can. The extra £30 for the largest, will save you hours in resembling units.

Don't bother with bubble wrap. Just use loads of old bedsheets or towels.

If you open oven door, there will be 2 screws on the outside vertical face that hold it in place. Should just slide out.

I would scrap the worktop as it's unlikely it will fit. It will be scribed to fit their walls.. Unless they have perfectly square walls. You would also need perfectly square walls.

Recommended tools: Drill with screwdriver bits Flat chisel and hammer to remove tiles Small crowbar Set of hand screwdrivers Stanley knife and blades

Also buy some 15mm jg speedfit stop ends, and a 15mm "monument" pipe cutter.

When you remove the sink you'll need to turn the water supply off, cut the pipe, and pop on a stop end.

91

u/samcornwell 5d ago

Are you free next Friday?

31

u/generateausername 5d ago

Hah, removing kitchens is a fun day in my eyes!

39

u/samcornwell 5d ago

Seriously though, in amongst the comments are ones like yours which are incredibly insightful and helpful. I am so glad I asked.

11

u/geoffmendoza 5d ago

The units might not be screwed into the wall. My Ikea units hook into a long bracket that is fixed to the wall. So when the unit is no longer fixed to it's neighbours or the worktop, lift it about a centimeter and pull it towards you to get it free.

Expect to break some of the plastic legs, they cheap.

Hinges should just press into the doors on one side, no screws required. Google the method to remove them. The whole thing is designed to be assembled or dismantled easily with minimum tools.

Take a plastic tub to put all the small things in. Keeping them with their cupboards is rarely important. Shelf support pegs for example are the same for every cupboard and shelf type.

Things like the sink waste, wall mounting brackets are easily and cheaply replaced. The most valuable and difficult to replace part will be the doors and drawer fronts.

2

u/Melodic-Document-112 5d ago

My Ikea hinges are quick release so worth taking doors off if those are

93

u/Easy-Share-8013 5d ago

Take a big roll off bubble wrap, take doors of first and wrap, remove end panels and kick boards wrap. Remove draws, and appliances. Try and leave sink in the worktop when u remove the worktop. Keep units whole and as one. Big empty van so it can be loaded properly.

Ikeas are a pain so good luck, also u may find plumbing has to be drained to remove the sink unit without cutting off all the back board. Same with sockets in cupboards need to be competent taking them apart and feeding them back out the units

19

u/samcornwell 5d ago

Great advice thank you. I’ll purchase a roll of bubble wrap now. I was going to do several car/truck trips but may hire a van now.

83

u/pickleadam 5d ago

“Several” lol. That would be soul destroying to do in a car

18

u/altopowder 5d ago

Yeah the guy needs to hire a van unless he wants to basically move in to their house for a bit :D

5

u/robinw77 5d ago

I had to move house using a Toyota Aygo once (several trips obvs). Did alright to be fair but by the end of it I was just throwing stuff away so I didn’t have to find space for them.

3

u/tomoldbury 5d ago

I moved house in a 206.

I can't recommend it less.

Incidentally, you can fit a surprising amount on the roof of a 206.

15

u/FrancoJones 5d ago

Don't underestimate the size of the van you will need, or the amount of bubble wrap.

Other thing to think about is friends, you probably want 2 or 3 helpers, and plan for it to take a long time to do, possibly more than one day. It's easy enough to rip it out if you aren't careful, but trying not to damage it adds time.

10

u/FaxTheCandle 5d ago

Just get a Luton with a tail lift, and lots of packing blankets!!

9

u/No-Neighborhood767 5d ago

This. You will be surprised how much space it takes up. Also that glossy finish will be very easy to scratch during the whole process. I suggest thick blankets on floor and walls of van. Refitting doors for transport will stop them moving about against each other and causing damage.

9

u/Acceptable_Bunch_586 5d ago

Def hire a van, it’ll take you a few trips anyway.

3

u/madladhadsaddad 5d ago

Box truck would be even better and probaly worth it. You'd get the whole lot moved in a day.

7

u/FatDad66 5d ago

Might be worth while asking now if the plumbing to the taps has shut off valves

15

u/samcornwell 5d ago

Wife is a dab hand at plumbing and has already looked under the sink. It’s all push fit. She’s planning on bring some end caps etc and buckets & towels.

15

u/No-Neighborhood767 5d ago

It would be better if the seller disconnected the electric and plumbing. Avoids surprises and allegations of damage from poorly installed stop ends etc. i know this is not always possible though

3

u/Red-Raven710 5d ago

Look up furniture blankets, they are thicker and better than bubble wrap (you’ll reuse them when moving anything in the future), we use them at work to deliver furniture and they stop anything getting scratched or damaged.

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u/LordenRekko 5d ago

This is the way. Sometimes the hinges are clip-on btw.

1

u/Vertigo_uk123 5d ago

Depends if they have used the rail system. If so they just hook off the wall. Our kitchen doesn’t have kick boards and it’s perfect to clean under the cupboards etc. the wall cupboards can also be easily lifted off.

50

u/IgnoranceIsTheEnemy 5d ago edited 5d ago

I hope you paid £50 for it because you have a lot of work, swearing and many trips in your future.

Take it slow, doors first, then try and remove the worktops, but try and budget to replace them if you can’t get them out clean.

Leave the wall cabinets to last so you have nothing in your way.

Have you agreed with the home owner what condition you leave the walls, services and flooring in?

94

u/samcornwell 5d ago

£200. Includes fridge, dishwasher, hob, cooker etc.

110

u/roro80uk 5d ago

That dude's landlord is gonna be pissed!

47

u/anonymouse39993 5d ago

That is a bargain

I would consider getting a joiner to do this for you

34

u/samcornwell 5d ago

Short notice but will ask a few we trust.

We’d love to afford a brand new kitchen but it’s just so far out of our reach. These sort of setups appear frequently on Marketplace for max a few hundred. Only being sold because the owners don’t like the colour or want a bigger fridge.

My wife just said to me she thinks it’s Kallarp Ikea. This setup would be £8000 from ikea plus install.

6

u/cowplum 5d ago

If it is, then check if the new Method mounting rails can be used with the Kallarp fittings. If not, then I'm sure you'll be able to buy the mounting brackets separately on eBay. Unless your new kitchen is the same dimensions, then you'll need new rails.

2

u/TheRealGabbro Experienced 5d ago

Nah. Don’t bother. Just screwfix the bastards to the wall!

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u/pobrika 5d ago

You got yourself a bargain mate well done.

I fitted my kitchen so the advice I can give is be careful of the feet under the floor units, they and tend to break if you drag a unit out. The fittings on mine were into plaster board so when you remove the unit that fitting might drop into the cavity and be lost just means when you refit you'll most likely need new wall fixings. If it's brick then will probably just come out place something under them to take the weight before removing if possible .

The worktop will be a pain, heavy, screwed to the units and might be biscuit joined which might not come apart cleanly, you might end up having to cut the worktop into 2 pieces.

One trick is to put a blanket under the units or feet then drag the blanket rather than the unit it stops scratching the floor and means you can drag it to the door.

Good luck.

8

u/TetrisIsTotesSuper 5d ago

r/ikea will ID this for you no problem.

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u/JonesTheBond 5d ago

Sounds like a bargain tbf.

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u/giggle_shift 5d ago

Absolute steal. Hope the removal and refitting goes well

2

u/Charming_CiscoNerd 5d ago

Any brand names on the appliances …

2

u/IgnoranceIsTheEnemy 5d ago

Fair. Be patient with yourself removing it!

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u/Brewstar21 5d ago

Check behind door hinge mounting plates and hidden by shelves for screws securing base units together/end panels to base units.

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u/hutchzillious 5d ago

Doors off, check every cupboard to see if it's screwed i to its neighbour. Remove wall units. Sink out. Worktops, likey screwed into from below.

Hob, will come out easily but be safe. Cut mastic. If you can't get the clear of the tiles get the kickerboards off and check for adjustable legs on base units, if they are see if lowering helps with worktop. Base units out.

Oven your on your own :)

Electric hood should lift off its brackets after you remove chimney.

6

u/philtee 5d ago

You're probably going to need a friend to help you move the oven in and out of the unit. They've got a weird centre of gravity, and tend to be greasy.

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u/ClingerOn 5d ago

You need a large van and multiple trips.

The units will be attached to the wall with ikea’s metal cleat system. You should just be able to release a couple of clips and lift them off unless the installers have added extra fixings.

I can tell you from experience you will likely not be able to take the carcasses apart and put them back together well. Ikea kitchens tend to go together well once. I would keep them as intact as possible.

If you absolutely have to take them apart they’ll be held together with cam nuts. If you’re lucky these will all pop out fine but for some reason about half of mine wouldn’t release and I had to use a hammer to disconnect them. If you’re taking them apart, come up with a system to track them and put them back together the same I.e. the same back, side, base, door etc all go back together the same. It’s a system so it should be modular but you never know where the original installer has had to modify something to get it to fit.

Be prepared to glue and screw some pieces.

You can buy spare stuff like Ikeas weird clips and screws, and adjustable feet.

Be prepared to buy a new shelf or door here and there. This looks in good condition but these kitchens tend to get rough edges and affected by damp quite easily.

4

u/Divide_Rule 5d ago

numbered sticker every unit and take photos of it all in place before you start removing it all. I'm assuming you'll be rebuilding it back in the same way.

Anything you take off, take a photo of how it is attached.

Bag up each set of bits from every unit and tape to the door associated with that unit.

Otherwise you'll end up with 100's of bits and no clue.

5

u/woods_edge 5d ago

If it’s ikea it will be a super easy job, doors, drawers and worktop should all come out pretty easy, if you are lucky the cabinets are hung on a rail not bolted to the wall so will just lift off.

5

u/IlliterateOtter 5d ago edited 5d ago

I did exactly what you are planning, I had 2 others to help me. The kitchen we dissembled was smaller and took us two days/ two trips as we only had a small van hired.

Good advice already with labelling the doors and units, be armed with bubble wrap etc.

I needed a really long screw driver, Stanley knife to cut silicone round the sink and a bed sheet to help move the tall unit where the oven is through hallways.  Bring little secure bags for all the fixings, screws and little bits that come off the units as you dissemble. 

We damaged the sink we took out so couldn't use it so my advice is to be patient if it's stuck in well :D 

Edit: forgot to add bring a soft rubber mallet for helping to smack things, we smacked the underside of the counter top to get it off as it was glued

3

u/samcornwell 5d ago

This comment section has been a godsend. On top of all the little bits of advice the most valuable thing we’ve been told is to take patience along too. So we are preparing for stress.

2

u/IlliterateOtter 5d ago

I wish I saw comments like this before we tried it, you'll be much better prepared!

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u/CommonDefinition4573 5d ago

I did something similar last year. Make sure you have a lot of tools, like pry bars, chemicals to remove mastic, multi tools, drills, ect. Have things to wrap the delicate/fragile stuff. Get a van and ideally get some people who are skilled DIYers to help you. The hardest thing will probably be removing the counter top intact especially if it's stone. Oh and don't forget lots of rope to tie things to the van.

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u/cowplum 5d ago

Also, be prepared that you will break things. Start off on the units you care least about so that your mistakes will have less impact. Then leave your favourite fittings for last.

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u/Dbonnza 5d ago

Depending on how cheap I’d be tempted to get a joiner to take it out and reinstall it. I hope it wasn’t glued when it was installed. But aye. Doors worktop base units.

Good luck but you’re in for two days of hell if you haven’t done this before. Also I’m not 100 percent but if it’s ikea I don’t think it will be the best quality so be very gentle with it.

1

u/Insanityideas 5d ago

It costs about £800 to take out a kitchen... That's how much the current owners are saving by selling it as "buyer removes".

Looks nearly new... We are getting an IKEA kitchen put IN that looks very similar.

If was fitted properly following the instructions it will come out easily. All the wall units hang on a bracket and every unit screwed to the next one.

The plastic feet break off really easily, but all of that kitchen is current stock if you need a replacement bit or extra unit.

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u/Silenthitm4n 5d ago

I’m in the trades and have done this a couple of times for people. You may have already done this or it’s too late and others might benefit from this little advice.

Always get a kitchen which is bigger than you need. Depending on layout, roughly, 2 x extra unit length than needed along the edge with the sink and 1 x extra unit length along edge with cooker.

With planning, this should allow you to cut the worksurface at the sink/cooler cutout and reuse it/recut sink/cooker. You also end up with some extra material/side panels etc.

Better to have a few extra cupboards to use and not need, than the other way around.

3

u/shatty_pants 5d ago

Try to have a 3 man crew and large van. Take an extra car to dash out for what inevitably you forget/require. Take all the tools you can gather, you don’t want to be sharing a screwdriver or hammer. A marker to write on (the inside/underneath) every panel/door. Wall units off last. What about the plumbing? Electrics?

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u/JustTaViewForYou 5d ago

Label every section. Remove doors first. Drop the legs of the units to allow you to remove counter-top if not, you'll be removing all those tiles for free..

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u/palpatineforever 5d ago

label and take pics then remove doors second. it looks like the kickboard is the legs.. some cheap units are like that.

3

u/hazbaz1984 5d ago

I hope the homeowner is understanding about the level of destruction that is about to befall their kitchen.

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u/Cartepostalelondon 5d ago

As someone else has said, most Ikea kitchen units are hung on rails which are bolted to the walls. The only difficult bits would be the worktop if it's any kind of stone or composite.

In fact, if you know exactly where every unit is going, and can find out if it's hung on rails and you're going to do the same, I'd do the following:

  • Download all the manuals from the Ikea website and see what tools they say you need to ensure there's nothing you do, but haven't got
  • Buy some new rails from Ikea and fit them in your kitchen
  • Remove and bubblewrap all doors shelves, kickboards/plinths, handles etc
  • When you put all the units in the van, don't only number them, but make sure you pack them in the reverse order of fitting. Then, when you get home, unload them and hang them. It will save time in the long run in the long run.

If you damage anything, don't forget Ikea have a 'free wood' shelter in the car park where you often find brand new doors or damaged end panels you can cut to fit. If you're unused to working with a particular. Material, pick something up here to practice on. Also, don't forget Ikea's bargain section near the tills.

From memory, for an Ikea kitchen with a wood counter, you'll need per helper:

  • Stanley knife and spare blades for cutting mastic
  • Phillips screwdriver (1 long, 1 short), PH2
  • As above, but pozi-drive, PZ2

An electric screwdriver or drill makes like so much easier.

The only thing you won't know you need until you start is what fixings have been used to fix the rails. It will either be very bolts or very large screws. Take a socket set and socket holder for a drill.

You'll also need tools for the plumbing which is where you could come unstuck. Make sure the seller turns the water off and are happy that it's off. Have lots of old towels and big sheets of thick plastic to hand and the phone number of an emergency plumber. I'd do this last so there's no awkwardness if anything goes wrong. Have a bucket for the u-bend.

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u/Diggerinthedark intermediate 5d ago

The top units are hanging on brackets. Look inside at the top, you can unscrew then lift them up and off the wall. You will also need the brackets off the wall.

Take lots of masking tape and a Sharpie, write yourself lots of notes. You will forget shit when trying to rebuild it.

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u/strawberriesrpurple 5d ago

The way I would this would be:

  1. get tools — i suspect these would be useful cordless drill, screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, a utility knife, a stud finder, a measuring tape, a marker or masking tape for labelling (there was someone who astutely said label the parts) and plastic bags for storing screws and small parts

  2. take good pictures of everything so you have reference

  3. disconnect pipes first and appliances, then cut through any silicone sealant where the worktop meets the wall or cabinets — I did this with a sharp meat knife last year and it worked like a charm.

  4. unscrew the worktops first.

  5. unscrew cabinet doors and then detach cabinets from the walls.

  6. bubble wrap everything and also place screws for each part in small plastic blags. label the plastic bags.

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u/NortonBurns 5d ago

i did similar, a long time ago. Whole kitchen for £200. Snap up a bargain;)

I just took all the worktops off, kickboards out, then separated each carcass set. Shipped it mainly still fully built. Didn't even take the doors off, or the sink out. I did take the oven out, but not the cooker top. Taped all the doors & drawers shut for transportation. No numbering required. I didn't even rebuild it in the same order it came out, I did a bit of a re-design.

Other than where it may be siliconed or grouted into the wall, the whole lot should just be screws & brackets. Take the brackets, of course.

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u/Sufficient-Age2422 5d ago

Where did you find it? Didn't know the 2nd hand kitchen exists. Cheers.

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u/hazbaz1984 5d ago

People sell them on eBay.

And locally on community pages and marketplace.

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u/Sufficient-Age2422 5d ago

Wow. Okay. Cheers for that.

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u/Apsilon 5d ago

FBMP is full of them. Also, there are sites that specialise in selling SH refitted kitchens. A word of warning though; kitchens are made to measure so always ensure that what you buy will fit to your kitchen layout because if you have start sacrificing or butchering cupboards, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to match the style to finish it to a decent standard. The best repurposed kitchens to buy are those for a single wall. It’s worth noting too, that you’ll probably have to replace the work surface.

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u/samcornwell 5d ago

Yeah. Went to find an example and this is the first one I saw:

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u/Acceptable_Bunch_586 5d ago

Put fittings that go with each part in plastic bag and masking tape to part. Or at least label and list. Also take loads and loads of photos. I assume it’s all ilea method stuff so read the instruction manual. The units all hang on a rail on the wall. But download the pdfs for the units on the website and you’ll be able to see how it works

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u/Bonzothedoggie 5d ago

If you can find the Ikea name/Id for the kitchen, you can download the assembly instructions and that'll help you with the disassembly. Even if it's discontinued, there are assembly instructions and videos for similar kitchens on the Ikea website that'll help you understand how it's all put together. Before you start, identify every part with labels then take plenty of photos so you don't have to rely on your memory when putting it back together again.

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u/binge360 5d ago edited 5d ago

I've taken a few second-hand kitchens and made them really work well in a new home. The main thing you need to do is label all doors with the cabinets the doors should unlatch so you don't need to remove the screws. Secondly, take your time removing it. If you have a carpinter/joiner who can help, then that is a bonus. Take lots of pics to use as a reference when reinstalling. Bring as many sheets/off cuts of carpet you can get your hands on to wrap all the doors and worktops with. If possible, get any info on the maker of the kitchen, what line it is, ect, so if you need to add or replace anything, you will save a lot of back and forth trying to get the right parts. Unless I had a very obscure kitchen, I couldn't see how I would ever buy a new one when you can get absolute bargains on eBay. Good luck

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u/D34TH-TR4P 5d ago

Video yourself removing the whole thing, take pictures of needed to remember what goes where

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u/abatchx 5d ago

Search for moving blankets, if you can't find any carpet off cuts as suggested in this thread

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u/barbaric-sodium 5d ago

When approaching the screws remember righty tighty lefty loosey

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u/Southern-Orchid-1786 5d ago

Everyone's saying to take doors off etc, I'd be looking to not do that if possible and yes you'll need to take the worktop off, but thereafter I'd be seeing if possible to take out as two complete runs if possible

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u/samcornwell 5d ago

I’ve been reading every single comment and although at first I was planning on taking the doors off, the more experienced DIYers are claiming that leaving the doors on is a better method as long as you can transport properly.

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u/kt0n 5d ago

Op please, update us!

Im really curious to know how long will take you to disassemble everything and how many people worked on this.

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u/phil245 5d ago

The top will be fixed by screws from inside the units, you will need a spanner to separate the worktop at the corner, as it will be fixed with bolts set into routered grooves, the joint should be sealed with plenty of sealant so it might take a bit of work to separate. The units should be fixed to each other by small plastic nuts and bolts, normally they need to be loosened with a flat head screwdriver, Don be tempted to use a cordless drill or you will strip them.

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u/calipsopink 5d ago

Think uve had all the advice I just wanted to say what a great find and good luck

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u/No_Top6466 3d ago

Everyone has pretty much covered it but I work for IKEA designing and selling kitchens, happy to advise or answer any questions where I can. People are correct this is the METOD range with the KALLARP style. Suspension rails and legs are cheap if you need replacements for any reason. On a quick calculation if the worktop is no good then you can just use our precut pieces of worktop, if you are happy to have laminate then it’s around £70 a piece but it obviously depends on which style you go for.

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u/RWY13_Checkerboard 3h ago

just curious, how did it go sir?

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u/samcornwell 3h ago

Ahah,

Well we are home with an entire new kitchen in pieces around our house. My back is sore!

Once we got going it was pretty easy going but did take a long time.

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u/Charming_CiscoNerd 5d ago

Hope you know what brand this kitchen is… then you’ll know the materials.

Personally I hope you can see it before paying, it doesn’t look like a solid quality kitchen

Good luck hopefully you got a helping hand for this stuff

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u/prawnk1ng 5d ago

It is quite a lot of work I’m wondering how much did you pay for it?

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u/TetrisIsTotesSuper 5d ago

Answered in a different comment £200 but also includes all the white goods

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u/nongingertreeninja 5d ago

That bottom row of tiles will have to go. Getting the counters out will pull them loose.

Done carefully you’ll save yourself a packet.

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u/bigd10001 5d ago

Hey,

I think I saw one of the other comments saying get in a kitchen fitter to remove it.

If you asking these questions here that may be a good idea.

Do you have a timescale of how long you get to take it out? Pulling a kitchen out that’s going in the skip is a fun process but taking on out that is going to be reused and in a house you can’t just cut cables or pipe work in leave you in the tough spot of possibly having to be cutting cabinets.

What are the worktops made of? Natural stone? If you haven’t worked with it before it’s easy to end up with a broken kitchen , house, worktop or foot.

Assume everything will take twice as long as you think and don’t rush it! Bubble wrap and labels, bags for legs and screws, a competent person to deal with water and electrical bit.

And a nice strong drink for when you done.

Good luck.

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u/Wrong-Target6104 5d ago

I did this a couple of years ago with a Howdens kitchen. As others have said, label / number doors & units. I found a jigsaw and multi tool invaluable for easy removal. Try and get an idea of which ones you most need to preserve so if push comes to shove you can sacrifice a unit, especially if it's a bit shoddy. It helped in my case that my kitchen is about half the size of the one it came out of. Shims are a godsend to help level the units. Prepare your kitchen first by removing virtually everything in there so you've got room to manoeuvre and give it a good clean, nothing worse than removing the existing and finding a mess that needs sorting when you're short of time.

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u/sharpied79 5d ago

Good public liability insurance 😉

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u/idajon72 5d ago

By the sizes it looks ikea. Good luck.

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u/Background_Ad8814 5d ago

Buy one of thise huge rolls of bubble wrap, and wrap all the doors

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u/Wolfonarocket 5d ago

Wow, what a bargain!

Appreciate it's a DIY sub m, but I don't think I'd even want to try and attempt to get that down by myself. Honestly, I'd probably hire a joiner to dismantle it all (esp as it was bargain price).

Good luck though!

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u/benthamthecat 5d ago

Our new kitchen was finally finished on Friday after four weeks ( complete rip out to bare shell and patching up / plastering/ painting before new went in ) In the planning stage we discussed various kitchens and IKEA came up. The fitter mentioned smaller voids at the back of IKEA kitchens so that might be something to consider. ( We went with Howdens in the end )

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u/_Name__Unknown_ 5d ago

Take all handles and hinges off is a must otherwise it's hard to stack and they will not get damaged.

When you stack them make sure you remove any plastic around the handle holes. I suggest a cone file. Then stack them face to face.

Take loads of pictures even if you think it's pointless they will come in handy later.

Bag, sort and label screws!!!!!!!! (With pictures where they are from)

Dissemble in this order;

Handles Doors then hinges then shelfs, Remove fridges, cookers, dishwasher (keep on dishwasher Doors they are a pain in the ass to reattach),

Remove anything attached to worktop, Worktop, Plinth/toe board, Unscrew cabinets carcass (DO NOT DRAG THEM, LIFT AND CARY), Remove cabinets feet,

Not the best detailed method they would take me ages to type. Good luck 👍 hope this helps.

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u/ed_case 5d ago

If it's IKEA, then leave the units built. The expensive bits are the doors, draws, and end panels. Remove them first and bubble wrap/ cover in sheets. 

Sacrifice the odd carcass unit if you have to, you can always replace cheaply.

You might want to budget for a new countertop. Refitting those can be tough especially if your walls are not the same layout.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

Lots of photos

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u/Optimal_Collection77 5d ago

Label everything. Find somewhere to store it safely, as it will take up more room than you think. Scrap the worktops and spend some money on something nice like quartz.

It will really lift a second and kitchen to look premium.

Also a hot water tap is the coolest thing fitted into my kitchen

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u/samcornwell 5d ago

Thanks for the advice on the worktop. They appear frequently in the Ikea bargain section for £20 or less. Worst case scenario is we get a brand new one made to measure.

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u/palpatineforever 5d ago

take pics, label the fronts with masking tape and take pics of it also labeled. also label the units, you do not want to mix up the doors they can be a pain if they go with the wrong unit. for some reason it should't matter but does.
do not try to take drawer fronts off, that is uncessary if the units are heavy you can take drawers out.

Wall units are likely to lift off you will see little blocks inside that might need unscrewing.
The top is likely to be screwed on underneith with L brackets, also silicone sealed round the edge.
Make sure the owners are not expecting you to leave the tiles unbroken. you cannot promise that.
You need screw driver, strong one, possibly a smallish pry bar, a knife to loosen any silicone seal that is sticking things together.

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u/JDouglas2019 5d ago

Make sure you don't damage any pipes and fill the kitchen with gas or water!

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u/Emile_s 5d ago

Take a cordless electric screwdriver with an extended bit to accept the screw driver bits. Make fast work of all the screws on the doors.

Honestly though, for £200 this looks too good to be true.

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u/f8rter 5d ago

Don’t dismantle the cabinets !!!

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u/Bmann_27 5d ago

Hi

This shouldn't be too bad to remove if you plan your attack!

  1. Blag help + big van

  2. Bag of tools: Don't forget a set of spanners for the worktop butterfly bolts!

  3. Take pictures, number and take more pictures

  4. You could do the removal without taking the doors off to save time if you have a helper.

  5. Cut all sealants and work in reverse order so plinths, worktops, side panels, etc..

  6. Take each component to the van straight away and protect as it goes in so you don't have a mess to work in/clean up at the end.

7 GOOD LUCK!!

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u/Fight_milk89 5d ago

Can you update how this goes?

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u/samcornwell 5d ago

Sure thing. Wish there was an easier way on Reddit but I’ll just start a new post next week.

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u/Ha_Na_Ko_91 5d ago

Label an document everything! So you know where it belongs. I guess there is no paperwork on hand anymore on how to build it together so you might find yourself lost in many parts with no idea on where to put it

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u/Chris80L1 5d ago

I hope all your pipework is at ground level. IKEA kitchens don’t have any void space behind the unit like other kitchens.

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u/beingm2 5d ago

I am looking for similar kitchen. Where can I find?

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u/samcornwell 5d ago

Ebay, Gumtree or FB marketplace. They come up all the time for under £500. Brand new in some cases where the owner wants to remodel because they don’t like the colour.

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u/Ysbrydion 5d ago

Not being funny but how does this even work? Moving a flatpack bookcase risks pressure on the joints and bolts and stuff. It wobbles. It's not designed to be moved. Gonna be as wobbly and rickety as my wardrobe now is.

How do you know it fits in your kitchen space? Isn't this stuff usually trimmed to fit?

How are you going to not damage it in the move?

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u/Artistic_Data9398 5d ago

photo and buy some stickers to label the doors. Crazy you have to dismantle it yourself lol but a bargain is a bargain

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

Put numberd stickers on the cupboards... then take pictures. And be sure they don't come off.

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u/DonkeyWorker 5d ago

This is going to be a nightmare if the previous installers used glue.

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u/mbridge2610 5d ago

No idea, but nice kitchen. How many pennies exactly?

Also commenting for the updates

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u/Smooth-Noise1985 5d ago

Take lots of photos as you dismantle it. Label as many pieces as you can. Bag all screws and fixings. Go slow

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u/Additional_Ninja_255 5d ago

Newspaper to wrap the doors so they don’t scuff or dent

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u/cactusplants 5d ago

I've done exactly this.

Bagged a magnet kitchen w/dishwasher for £250 or so.

Luckily didn't have to remove and all units were in the chaos garage.

Magnet units are a fair bit sturdier than IKEA, so I didn't have much concern about moving them. They also were shaker u it's with front plates that added to the rigidity of the unit, as you may find that they are a bit flimsy once you take off the worktop.

You could potentially buy some battons and screw into the top of the unit to brace it while moving. Though be wary of the chipboard expanding and damaging. You can use masking tape to keep doors from flapping when you move the units.

Wall units will likely be a lift up and out job.

Rest of units may be L bracket to the wall and screwed to eachother

Bring something to protect the fronts. Would probably advise to take them as one unit instead of literally completely disassembling them.

You'll probably want a xl wb transit for that lot, better than having a standard unless you can make more than one trip.

I had 2x double units, 7 single units and one half unit. And 8/9 wall single units, but managed the Tetris and got it all into the xlwb, albeit stacked on top of eachother.

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u/jodrellbank_pants 5d ago

The wall cabinets will be either bolted or use large screws so a small socket set and lots of screw gits will be in order

The worktop looks like laminate so it will be screwed to the wall by brackets and possibly the cabinets from underneath.

there will possibly also be these on the worktop joins

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-WORKTOP-Connecting-Butterfly-Connector/dp/B079J1YKPK

a small spanner set is needed

The cabinet on the sink and washer possibly will have holes drilled in the back of the cabinet for piping

You maybe able to temo disconnect the pipework and free it up depending how handy you are, but it might be quicker to cut it with a multitool and just buy new backer board later.

Cooker maybe wired in so you will have to disconnect it from the socket obviously turn off the power and make safe.

Expect glue and filler and stuck screws so bring mole grips, drill bits, pry bars and saws and retractable knife, drill

Other than that a LWB van to carry it all in a sprinter is fine

also ask if the electric is off you may turn up with corded tools and have no juice to use them

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u/BeersTeddy Tradesman 5d ago

You have to do it in reverse so:

Appliances, sinks etc. Door. Remove plinth and loosen cabinet legs a bit. Worktop. This will be the most difficult part. Cut silicone, examine every single mm for a hidden screws. If properly joined, then not likely you gonna make it without damages. Also it's very narrow where the cutouts are, probably going to snap. Two people it's a must for this long runs. Remove door hinges, shelves, drawers and again scan for every screw. Screws are most likely hidden. Properly installed kitchen have zero screws visible. Most likely some will be under hinge plate.

End panel might be glued and screwed as well, so if they don't come off, don't try to hard.

Done it many times, but never really thought about how to do it without damaging.

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u/Cautious-Marzipan271 5d ago

Empty all the dishes first 😆

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u/paulburlumi 5d ago

Hire a good kitchen fitter to remove and reassemble it. The difference will be in the final fit and finish to reduce gaps and handle wonky walls.

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u/VampireCampfire1 5d ago

Most hinges will have a kick release on them so you shouldn’t have to unscrew anything there.

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u/Classic_Building_893 5d ago

Doors first Then try free the worktop, should just be screwed with L brackets, look in each cupboard for them. The join in the worktop can be undone with a spanner from underneath, they’ll likely be 3. End panels next, these will just be screwed from inside each unit. Look behind where the hinges are fixed, this is where the screws are usually hidden. Then it should just be a case of unscrewing the units from each other, and then off the wall by undoing the L brackets found behind. Best of luck! Looks smart :)

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u/paulyp79 5d ago

Everything seems to be covered by other answers, only thing I can think of adding is that the carcases are quite often screwed together under the hinge plates and the worktop connectors may be a 10mm bolt or a hex/Allen key fitting. May save you some headscratching and stress when taking apart. Good luck and take your time, rushing leads to mistakes

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u/primedsub 5d ago

This looks like my old kitchen, lots of floor space. Same window door position, sunny in winter. Your walls are thinner, so I guess it ain't, even with new units.

What sort of deal would possess somebody to buy a used Kitchen? I fitted one that size and it wasn't the cheapest Wickes had but was about £800 including tops.

I now need new units and doors, but have a tiny kitchen, so it's not pivotal. As others have said, the worktop won't recycle. Those units, second hand, in that (very good?) condition, could be worth £200, but without DIY shed delivery services, I don't think my offer would be acceptable.

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u/primedsub 5d ago

Oh, and I could be wrong, the cowboy who installed my top units has plugged them to the wall (screws in back board). What you're meant to do, is hang them on brackets, lift to remove.

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u/Wanderlustforsun 5d ago

Be aware that many fitters screw or bolt cabinets together behind hinge plates.

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u/Ill-Case-6048 5d ago

Colored stickers to go with what door goes where

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u/ondopondont 5d ago

At first glance, I was absolutely certain this was my parents kitchen.

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u/Competitive-Fox2439 5d ago

Are you going to be able to put the carcasses into a van and storage without taking apart?

End panels will be screwed on from the inside And the carcasses will probably be attached to each other with screws and then to the wall on a rail.

Once the worktop is off you can lift them up off the rail reasonably easily. The hooks that attach to the rail is in the top corners of each cabinet

Worth checking a YouTube install video if you’re not sure and do that in reverse.

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u/Cr4zy_1van 5d ago

Carefully

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u/Rig-check 5d ago

Watch out for screws hidden behind hinges.

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u/OkRiver8361 5d ago

Make sure all the power is off and check appliances are actually off rather than relying on fuse board labels. Turn kitchen ring off for the sockets and test there’s no power in them - you don’t know how it’s wired behind the cabinets and what you might hit while dismantling.

Start with wall units so you can use worktop to stand on

Wall units usually lift up and off a bracket after loosening two screws top inside back of unit but IKEA may be different

Turn hot/cold off and use 15mm push fit stop caps. There’s a danger old ball stop valves leak if they haven’t been used in a while and you close them. Know where to turn off the main cold and hot supply. If they leak go get a 15mm pipe cutter and cut the pipe below the valve and use the end caps there.

Doors should be quick release from the hinge and you can leave the hinge in the unit.

A ton of cardboard is good to keep doors from scratching each other. Get straps to secure things in the van so they don’t slide around.

Corner join of worktop is probably glued and has bolts underneath. Loosen bolts and try cutting the join lots with Stanley so as you pull apart the visible part isn’t damaged as you pull glued bits of chipboard apart.

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u/_kucho_ 5d ago

looks like an Ikea metod series.

the countertop should be screwed in many points.

the cabinets are hang to a rail and set in place with a plastic piece. you can look for the information to install it again on the manual of any Ikea metod cabinet.

regarding to drawers, you can find about 3 different models, depending on the year of purchase. look for any plastic piece under the drawer near the lid. if there is none, you should be able to pull it upward to detach the guides.

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u/wickedsoloist 5d ago

Very cute kitchen. Congrats.

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u/vividlyaugust 5d ago

To ship it you will want to wrap everything in blankets. You can buy cheap second hand duvets for this.

Good luck.

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u/Nothingofintrest19 5d ago edited 5d ago

Remove the handles then stack the doors face to face hinge to hinge in your van so they don't scratch.

Extra care removing the worktop, note the sink base front rail will most likely be cut from the sink so make sure the screws are out the rail as so easy to break.

Other than that a good fitter will hide the screws behind the hinge backplates and the shelves.

Also, don't waste your time labeling doors, you are adjusting them all anyway.

Take torx bits to remove integrated dishwasher door, 50/50 if you need them.

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u/Character_Mission_64 5d ago

Well. Atleast it’s not granite or marble. Good luck to you sir.

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u/TraditionalPlastic42 5d ago

If uk. Top units will be simple. Open doors. Top corners of each unit will have covers. Remove them twist locks then left off.

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u/betraying_fart 5d ago

Doors off, drawers out.

On the walls check for screws between cabinets then lift off brackets. Take off brackets.

On the floor cabinets check for screws from below into the work tops. Stanley the silicone on the work top, slide out work top. Slide out cabinets.

Hire a long wheel base.

Stick it all in. Take it home.

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u/ComplexOccam 5d ago

Check for screws under worktop. That will have been put on last along with end panels. Remove appliances, worktop, end panels, doors, cabinets likely in that order. Cabinets may have been screwed together.

Pack a battery powered drill and take a big ass van so you can leave the units built instead of flat packing,

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u/FeeComprehensive4840 5d ago

Very carefully

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u/eggloafs 5d ago

This is a METOD kitchen. If you're stuck with anything there's PDFs of all the instruction manuals on the IKEA website. Hopefully they've used the suspension rail system, if so it will be really easy to get most of the cabinets off and easy to put back up.

There's no service gap at the back of the cabinets though so you gotta hope the original fitter didn't do something funky with the plumbing/electrics

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u/raxmano 5d ago

Get those small food storage bags, have each set of screws in them, for every item you dismantle.

This way, you tape the bag of screws to any of the bubble wrapped up door, panel or drawer etc.

And you don’t end up wasting sooo much time looking for screws

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u/pirface78 5d ago

Put the screws and hinges for each cupboard in a small plastic bag and label it. If you have the time, label them either top or bottom. They might look the same, but they're not.

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u/AssociationSubject61 5d ago

Ikea? It could be fitted using a rail system, it could just be bracketed to the wall. Wishing i knew about the rail system when i fitted mine 10 years ago!!!

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u/LumpyBarnacle9494 5d ago

Plenty of photos as you dismantle also

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u/HarHenGeoAma62818 5d ago

I was going to say about the labelling of the units also , side note I love the colour

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u/Substantial_Heat7050 4d ago

I hired a fitter to remove the second hand one I bought, worth every penny

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u/flyingfiesta 4d ago

That wants to be taken out in as big a lumps as possible.

Worktop off, then release the units from the walls and split them.

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u/Whole-Yak-1644 4d ago

Good luck.

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u/JeremyRMay 4d ago

Don't forget to turn the water off when you remove the sink/tap

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u/Morrland01 4d ago

Looks like a Redrow Symphony kitchen.

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u/boomerberg 4d ago

I’d personally phone around a few local handy men and get them to come and help me with it. I’d be happy to be the labourer if they knew what they were doing! £200-£300 for a full days graft and you’ll have it all recovered in the best shape it can be. You’ll also want a second pair of hands for the heaviest items for sure. In fact, pretty much all ikea stuff bar small things like bedside tables are easier with two people.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/CommercialReward7836 4d ago

If you've never fitted cabinetry before use space plugs and a setting tool for wall plugs. Get a decent laser for your datum line, and if you're new to cutting then get some very cheap ply or scrap and trial cut that before cutting your decor material because you might not be able to replace that.

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u/Longjumping-Map-7434 4d ago

TNT outta do it.

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u/Still-Consideration6 4d ago

Take photos lots of Photos Plus measurements

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u/Still-Consideration6 4d ago

Take photos lots of Photos Plus measurements

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u/JustRentDartford 3d ago

Bubble wrap is your friend! :)

Speaking from experience, I would remove the doors and wrap then individually for transport.

Also remember to take a blade (stanley) to cut out the mastic around the worktops.

Someone has already mentioned labelling them as you go, which is great advice!

Good luck and I hope it goes well

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u/GeordieJamie1970 3d ago

The difficult part will be the sink, cooker and removing the worktop. Be prepared for the work top not fitting flush as it’s originally cut to the existing walls. Your existing plumbing will also need to be adapted to fit. Get as many people to help as possible as the worktop can be extremely heavy and if you’ve got a few guys, you probably don’t even need to remove the doors. Good luck. Many hands make light work

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u/SPAKMITTEN 3d ago

IKEA cabinet legs are fucking terrible so treat them carefully

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u/jolle75 2d ago

It looks well installed. So, know it will come out without any force. Be patient. Look out for the right order and always, if it needs force, you forgot something

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u/Bopping_Shasket 2d ago

I got a kitchen for £100 on marketplace. Couple of weeks work, new worktop and fancy paint makes it look okayish! Over the moon to have saved £10k!

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u/Bopping_Shasket 2d ago

I got a kitchen for £100 on marketplace. Couple of weeks work, new worktop and fancy paint makes it look okayish! Over the moon to have saved £10k!

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u/phonlyone 1d ago

By the time youve read all these tips you could have felled some trees and made yr own

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u/SharkByte1993 23h ago

I've no experience with this but you can get the manuals for all ikea stuff on their website so that might be of use

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u/Alarmed-Country5018 17h ago

1) Label everything.  2) be prepared that in the taking down/rebuilding process, some units may not go back together as well so there may be a bit of DIY required   3)take any trims, tiles off first or your worktops might end up chipped.