A kitchen renovation does not begin with the arrival of new cabinetry. It begins with a thorough, safe, and methodical removal of everything that currently exists in the space. Skipping this stage or rushing through it creates delays, safety issues, and costly rework. Smash Stripouts has prepared this guide to walk you through exactly what needs to come out before your renovation can begin.
Key Takeaways
- All appliances must be disconnected by licensed tradespeople before removal.
- Asbestos testing is essential in homes built before 1990.
- Cabinetry, benchtops, and splashbacks must be cleared before tradespeople arrive.
- Plumbing and gas disconnection requires a licensed professional.
- Proper removal protects the structure and prevents costly damage.
Why Pre-Renovation Removal Matters
Before a single new cabinet is installed or a single wall is plastered, the old kitchen needs to be completely cleared. This is not just about making room. It is about preparing a safe, clean surface for the tradespeople who follow.
According to RACV’s kitchen renovation checklist for Australian homeowners, a suggested order of operations for any full kitchen renovation begins with demolition and structural work before anything else begins. This includes clearing the existing kitchen down to the bare walls and floor. Getting this right is what sets the project up for success.
Australians invested between $25,000 and $50,000 on average in kitchen renovations in 2024. Protecting that investment starts with the preparation phase, and poorly managed removal is one of the most common causes of budget blowouts.
1. Appliances: Disconnect Before You Disconnect Anything Else
Every appliance in the kitchen needs to be properly disconnected before physical removal begins. This step is not optional, and in most Australian states, it cannot legally be done without a licensed tradesperson.
Here is what must be addressed:
- Gas Cooktops and Ovens: Gas disconnection must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter. As noted by BUILD.com.au, all gas work must comply with AS/NZS 5601 and must be performed by a qualified tradesperson holding the relevant licence for your state.
- Electric Ovens and Induction Cooktops: A licensed electrician must disconnect hardwired appliances. All electrical disconnection must comply with AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules.
- Dishwasher and Sink: These involve water supply and drainage connections. A licensed plumber must disconnect both before the cabinetry is removed.
- Refrigerator: This can generally be unplugged by the homeowner if it is a standard plug-in unit, but any plumbed water connection must be addressed by a licensed plumber.
As Houzz Australia’s kitchen renovation timeline confirms, you need a plumber and electrician to disconnect all appliances, the sink, tap, and gas outlets before cabinets are removed. This is not a stage you can skip or sequence incorrectly.
2. Cabinetry, Benchtops, and Splashbacks
Once all services are safely disconnected, the physical removal of the old kitchen can begin. This includes:
- Upper and Lower Cabinets: These are removed carefully to avoid damaging adjacent walls or structural elements.
- Benchtops: Stone, laminate, and timber benchtops all need to come out before anything else can be measured or quoted.
- Splashbacks: Tiles, glass, or stone splashbacks are removed, often requiring care around existing plumbing or electrical points behind them.
- Kickboards and Cornices: These finishing elements come off easily but must be removed completely to prepare the walls and floors.
If your kitchen cabinets are in reasonable condition, you may be able to sell them through secondhand platforms. This is worth considering before demolition begins, as it can offset some of the renovation cost.
Kitchen strip out service at Smash Stripouts covers exactly how we approach each of these stages to ensure a clean, safe, and precise outcome for every client.
3. Asbestos: The Step That Cannot Be Skipped
This is one of the most critical elements of any kitchen stripout in older Australian properties. Kitchens built before 1990 are likely to contain asbestos in a number of locations, including the backing boards behind cabinetry, vinyl floor coverings, splashbacks, and adhesives.
As SafeWork NSW confirms, asbestos is present in one in three Australian homes, and homes built before 1990 are likely to contain it in over 3,000 different building products. Removal of more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, or any amount of friable asbestos, must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist.
If you are unsure whether asbestos is present, the steps are straightforward:
- Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to conduct an inspection and sampling before any stripout work begins.
- Do not disturb any materials that could potentially contain asbestos until testing is complete.
- If asbestos is confirmed, engage a licensed removalist to manage its safe removal and disposal in line with NSW or state requirements.
This is not an area where shortcuts are appropriate. The health consequences of disturbing asbestos fibres are serious and long-term.
4. Flooring
Whether the kitchen floor is tiled, vinyl, or timber, it will generally need to come up before new flooring or cabinetry is installed. The specific order depends on your renovation plan.
Tiles can be particularly labour-intensive to remove, especially if they have been laid with strong adhesive or if there are multiple layers beneath. Magnesite, a material commonly used as a levelling compound in older buildings, also requires specialist removal. If discovered during the kitchen strip out, it must be handled correctly to avoid damage to the structural floor beneath.
Old vinyl flooring in pre-1990 kitchens may contain asbestos backing. Do not attempt to remove it without testing first.
5. Walls and Ceiling: Assess What Stays and What Goes
Not every wall removal requires a structural engineer, but some do. If the kitchen renovation involves opening up the space, removing a wall, or creating a new opening for a window or doorway, professional assessment is essential before any demolition begins.
Before walls or ceilings are touched:
- Confirm whether walls are load-bearing by engaging a structural engineer or licensed builder.
- Check for plumbing, electrical conduit, or gas lines running through the walls.
- Identify whether any plaster or lining materials may contain asbestos.
- Obtain any necessary council approvals or notifications before structural changes begin.
Professional Strip-Outs removal prevents damage to structural elements and protects everything that is supposed to remain.
Conclusion
Getting the removal stage right is what allows your renovation to run on time, on budget, and to the standard you expect. Every item that remains in a kitchen during the renovation phase creates a risk. If you are ready to start with a clean slate, contact us today for a free quote.
FAQs:
Yes. Gas, electrical, and plumbed appliances must be disconnected by a licensed gasfitter, electrician, or plumber respectively.
Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to test materials before any stripout begins, especially in pre-1990 homes.
You may be able to remove cabinets once all services are safely disconnected by licensed trades. Check with your contractor first.
Work must stop immediately. A licensed asbestos removalist must be engaged to manage safe removal and disposal.
Most cosmetic removals do not require approval, but structural wall removal or plumbing relocation often does. Always check with your local council.
A standard kitchen stripout typically takes one to two days depending on the size and complexity of the existing kitchen.