Kitchen

[IamMrsG]

I’m getting a new counter top and backsplash next week, which brings me here to ask:

1.  What is the best way to prepare for the removal of the old counter top? My inclination is to remove drawers and empty the bottom cabinets; however, our designer said that isn’t necessary. Her advice was to just cover the drawer contents with towels. What say y’all?
2. I would very much like to keep my new counter top as clear of paraphernalia as possible. How on earth do you accomplish that feat?      

Any wisdom you care to share will be appreciated.

[meem120]

No need to empty cabinets at all.  Towel covering drawers is a great tip.  

[GCR18]

In my last house, I had new countertops installed and didn't remove anything.  No issues.  I think if I had something special that couldn't be replaced, I'd remove it.  That's just me, overly cautious.

I don't keep anything on the countertops that isn't used at least a couple times a week.  I have a medium sized pantry where everything is stored.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Do you have an older laminate countertop now?  You and Mr. G could remove yourselves  and save some $$$.  It's pretty easy.  We did ours when we replaced it this past spring.   

[Allegheny]

---

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

Do you have an older laminate countertop now?  You and Mr. G could remove yourselves  and save some $$$.  It's pretty easy.  We did ours when we replaced it this past spring.   

---

You were lucky your's came off so easily. When our kitchen was redone I watched the removal of the countertops. The original installer nailed and glued them down and they were a real "b" to remove. If we weren't planning on repurposing the old base cabinets, I am sure they could have taken a sledge hammer and sawzall to the countertops.

[IamMrsG]

Thank you all for your advice.  I am surprised you agree with our designer about not needing to empty things out, but am glad as you've saved me quite a bit of work.

Speaking of which, JeanLouiseFinch, your suggestion to take off the old counter top ourselves to save the labor charges is a good one.  We got lucky, though, in that our jobber includes removal and disposal as part of their work. 

Argh!  I just remembered I still have to schedule a plumber to install the faucet and disposal.  Wow, even a kitchen upgrade (as opposed to a complete tear out and remodel), is much more involved than I ever expected.  When does it become fun? 

[Sooner]

I wouldn't think about having the tops replaced without removing the contents.   It will get some dirt in the area, and taking towels off would create more dirt falling down.  Why not see it as a chance to get rid of things you don't need, find things you'd looked for and just cleaning and getting things in great shape, which you have to do anyway?  

[sfnative]

---

@IamMrsG wrote:

Thank you all for your advice.  I am surprised you agree with our designer about not needing to empty things out, but am glad as you've saved me quite a bit of work.

Speaking of which, JeanLouiseFinch, your suggestion to take off the old counter top ourselves to save the labor charges is a good one.  We got lucky, though, in that our jobber includes removal and disposal as part of their work. 

Argh!  I just remembered I still have to schedule a plumber to install the faucet and disposal.  Wow, even a kitchen upgrade (as opposed to a complete tear out and remodel), is much more involved than I ever expected.  When does it become fun? 

---

Oh, geez!  Too bad we don't live close to you.  My husband does faucets and disposals for friends all the time.

Hope everything turns our well and looks beautiful!

(We're moving on Thursday and will have the laminate counter for a while, as we just had to replace every single appliance in the house.  Please let us know how you like your new countertop.)

[tansy]

We've made all of the decisions now regarding the sink and faucet.  The template still needs to be made and then the kitchen nightmare will be over

I can't wait to not be searching HOUZZ 24/7.

Let us know how it goes, @IamMrsG.  

[violann]

We are in the early stages of planning a multistage switcheroo (professional term meaning "OMG will this ever be over?") which may or may not involve actually moving to a totally new house, staying where we are with MAJOR changes, or just sitting on the curb and waving to passersby for the rest of our lives.

I take my hat off to ou and salute you, MrsG, because you are so much farther along in the process than we are.

We have "stick built" cabinets, and the last time we did new countertops we didn't move anything, and everything that was stored turned out just fine. 

The towels sound lke a good idea to me, too.