Need advice/tips on tearing out old laminate countertops

TumsGum

Hi everyone!
I am new to this site and I came here hoping I can get some answers to my questions.

We recently got an estimate on Silestone countertops via Home Depot. It appears we can save quite a bit of money if we do some of the work involved ourselves. Approx. $1100!

I have tried doing a few web searches for how to tear out existing countertops and I am coming up empty. I am hoping some of you might have some advice/tips on the best way to do this ourselves. There is about 45 sq. ft. of laminate countertops and backsplash that need removed. The backsplash is mounted to drywall and not tile, so I believe that makes thing a bit less complicated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Bob Mariani

The countertops and backsplash is not hard to remove. I charge about $75 for this.. The tops are screwed in from below. Remove everything in your base cabinets and look for the screws. Front and back. Have a helper lift up the top to see what scews you are missing. The backspash is either screwed to the top or glued to the wall. So just use a prybar to pull it off the wall. You can use a sawsall to cut the top in place into smaller sections to make it easier to lift and move.

buletbob

Bob M. Said it all. That's the way I do it. That much $. I have to raise my prices Then.
If its wall to wall and there is any door casing on either side wall, that could interfere with the new top being installed its best to remove it now.

TumsGum

Thanks so much for your replies! If Home Depot was only charging $75 for the job, I would totally let them do it. However, they want $10/sq. ft for the tear-out. That puts us around $500 just for the tear out fees! Add in the plumbing disconnect, plumbing reconnect and diswasher connect and it all comes close to $1100!

We are pretty confident we can do those things ourselves and save a good chunk of change! I have never tore out countertops before and wanted a little advice on what's involved so we don't end up mangling the cabinets and walls.

Thanks again for your help!

rjordan392

The above says it all,
But I want to add to it. In the event the backsplash has glue or adhesive between it and drywall, then if you decide to cut the drywall above the backsplash, just keep in mind that there may be electric wires or a heating duct in the wall. I would suggest that you use a box cutter to scour the drywall at the top edge of the countertop. Then the countertop can be removed with minimal damage to the drywall.

Bob Mariani

There is nothing to do with the dishwasher except two screws to remove. Open the door and you will see them. No elec.. no plumbing. The sink.. undo the supply lines by the valve, unscrew tail pipe and it is done. Maybe 11 minutes. HD overcharges for anything they do not move through the store quickly. Countertops and such are a good example. This is possibly the most expensive way to get new counters and you are also assured that you are getting the lowest level installers possible. None of us would work for Lowes or Home Depot as installers.

Knucklez

HD is ripping you off (of course), glad you're wise enough to do some of it yourself.