Kitchen Cabinet & Countertop Removal in Bethesda and Rockville
Demolition Done Cleanly, So the Next Trade Can Start
Every kitchen project starts with an empty room. We remove kitchen cabinets, countertops, backsplash tile, soffits, and flooring as a standalone service — utilities safely capped, dust contained, and everything hauled away the same day. Hire it on its own, or let it roll into the first phase of a full kitchen remodel with new custom cabinets and countertops.
Teardown in the DMV is rarely as simple as a crowbar. The 1980s and 90s kitchens across North Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney hide layers of vinyl and mastic under the cabinet runs. Older Bethesda and Chevy Chase colonials often have plaster walls that crumble when a bonded backsplash comes off, and pre-1978 finishes that call for lead-safe handling. In the condo and co-op buildings of Friendship Heights, the Pike District, and downtown Silver Spring, building rules govern work hours, elevator padding, debris routes, and a certificate of insurance before the first cabinet moves — all of which we arrange as licensed, insured Maryland contractors.
Removal also sets your budget. If the cabinet boxes turn out to be sound, cabinet refacing may save you 40-60% over new cabinetry, and we will tell you so before we tear anything out. To price the work on the other side of demolition, start with our kitchen remodel cost calculator.
Our Kitchen Removal Services Include:
- Granite, quartz, marble, butcher block, and laminate countertop removal
- Base, wall, and island cabinet removal plus soffit and bulkhead demolition
- Backsplash tile, sink, faucet, disposal, and appliance disconnection
- Water, gas, and electrical shut-off and safe capping by licensed trades
- Dust barriers, floor protection, and HEPA cleanup of the work zone
- Haul-away, disposal fees, and optional ReStore donation of usable cabinets
- Wall, ceiling, and subfloor patching so the room is ready for install
Our Removal Process
- 1
Walkthrough & Scope
We identify what comes out, what stays, and what is worth keeping or donating.
- 2
Protect & Disconnect
Dust barriers and floor protection go up; water, gas, and power are capped.
- 3
Controlled Teardown
Counters, backsplash, cabinets, and soffits come out in order, not all at once.
- 4
Haul-Away & Prep
Debris is removed, walls patched, and the room left clean and install-ready.
Need Your Kitchen Cleared Out?
Send photos of your cabinets and counters and we'll quote the removal — and tell you whether anything is worth saving.
Get a Free QuoteRemove It All, or Keep What Still Works?
Demolition is the one step you cannot undo, so it is worth an honest look first. If your layout works and the boxes are solid plywood, refacing keeps them in place and costs far less than a teardown plus new cabinetry. If the kitchen needs a new footprint — the usual verdict in compartmentalized older colonials — full removal clears the way for custom cabinets, new stone countertops, and updated kitchen lighting. Because we do both, there is no incentive for us to over-demolish.
1–2
Days for a Typical Kitchen Teardown
Included
Haul-Away & Disposal Fees
2,700+
DMV Projects Completed
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet & Countertop Removal
How much does it cost to remove kitchen cabinets and countertops?
In the Bethesda and Rockville area, removing countertops alone typically runs $400-$1,200, cabinets alone $600-$1,800, and a full kitchen teardown with cabinets, counters, backsplash, flooring, and haul-away $1,500-$4,500 in 2026. Granite and quartz cost more to remove than laminate because the slabs are heavy and usually have to be broken out in sections.
Can cabinets be removed without damaging the walls?
Mostly, yes — but expect some repair. Cabinets are screwed into studs and the backsplash is often bonded to the drywall, so pulling them typically tears paper or leaves gouges. We score the caulk and tile lines first, back out the screws rather than pry, and patch the wall as part of the job so the surface is ready for new cabinetry, tile, or paint.
How long does the demolition take?
A typical Montgomery County kitchen takes one day for countertops and backsplash and one to two days for cabinets, soffits, and flooring. We shut off and cap the water, gas, and electrical connections first, then haul everything out the same day so the space is clear for the next trade.
Do I need a permit to remove kitchen cabinets in Montgomery County?
Removing cabinets and countertops alone is generally a non-structural cosmetic job and does not require a permit. A permit is required once the work touches structure, plumbing, gas, or electrical — moving a wall or soffit, relocating a sink or gas line, or adding circuits. We pull those permits when your remodel scope needs them.
Will you haul away the old cabinets and countertops?
Yes. Haul-away and disposal fees are included in our removal pricing, and we handle the Montgomery County transfer-station runs. If your cabinets are sound and you would rather donate them, we can dismantle them carefully for a Habitat for Humanity ReStore drop-off instead of landfilling them.
What about asbestos or lead in an older kitchen?
It matters in the DMV, where much of the housing stock predates 1978. Old sheet-vinyl flooring, mastic, and some joint compounds can contain asbestos, and painted cabinets can carry lead. We test before disturbing suspect materials, follow EPA lead-safe renovation practices, and bring in a licensed abatement contractor when a sample comes back positive rather than sanding or cutting through it.
How Much Does Kitchen Cabinet & Countertop Removal Cost in the Bethesda Area in 2026?
| Project Scope | Estimated 2026 Cost* |
|---|---|
| Countertop removal onlyLaminate at the low end; granite or quartz slabs broken out and carried at the high end. | $400 – $1,200 |
| Cabinet removal onlyBase, wall, and island boxes unscrewed, removed, and hauled away. | $600 – $1,800 |
| Cabinets, counters & backsplashThe common pre-remodel package, including wall patching. | $1,100 – $2,800 |
| Full kitchen teardownAdds soffits, flooring, appliance disconnection, and utility capping. | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Lead-safe or asbestos-aware prepTesting plus containment or licensed abatement in pre-1978 homes. | +$500 – $2,500 |
*These figures are rough planning estimates only. Your actual quote will depend on in-home measurements and the current cost of materials and labor at the time of your project, as well as the specific finishes and scope you choose. For an accurate price, schedule a free in-home consultation with our team.
Cabinet & Countertop Removal Across the DMV Area
We handle kitchen demolition and haul-away throughout Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia, including:
Bethesda, MD
North Bethesda, MD
Rockville, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
Potomac, MD
Chevy Chase, MD
Silver Spring, MD
Washington, DC
Explore Related Services
Custom Cabinets
Made-to-measure cabinetry to fill the space once it is clear.
Countertops
Granite, quartz, and marble fabricated and installed after demo.
Cabinet Refacing
The lower-cost alternative when your boxes are worth keeping.
Kitchen Design & Remodeling
Full kitchen design and renovation across the DMV.
Drywall Repair
Patching and refinishing walls after cabinets and tile come off.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
Estimate the full project budget on the other side of demolition.
What Our Clients Say
Five-star reviews from homeowners across the DMV area.
Kitchen Remodel & Custom Addition
This was our fourth project with iDesign in the past couple of years, and they impress us every time — the office responds quickly and the crews show up when promised. For our full kitchen renovation and custom addition, the showroom team explained every phase and worked in everything on our list. They even matched the paint and style of the addition to the rest of the house, something other contractors had told us was impossible.
Roger
Multi-Room Home Remodel
iDesign made our dream home happen. Coordinating separate contractors for a multi-room remodel had been a struggle, but working with one design team and their own crews took all of that stress away. Communication was excellent from start to finish across nearly 2,400 square feet of renovation — including the kitchen, which had felt overwhelming before. We are grateful to the whole team.
Man J.
Full Condo Remodel
Our condo received a stunning top-to-bottom remodel: a flawless kitchen transformation, a bathtub-to-shower conversion, popcorn ceiling encapsulation, and new recessed lighting that brightens the whole space. The craftsmanship is exceptional, and the customer service made a major renovation completely stress-free.
Elena D.
Second-Story Addition & Rental Prep
We were on a hectic timeline preparing our house as a rental before moving out of the DMV, and we could not have navigated it without iDesign. They built a custom second-story addition, replaced the kitchen backsplash, installed a new bathroom vanity, and repainted several rooms — and they connected us with a licensed architect for the DC permits, which saved us a huge headache. Their attentiveness and input were invaluable.
Rami B.
Emergency Repair & Bathroom Remodel
When water started leaking through our ceiling one morning, the iDesign team and their plumber were at our house within hours and quickly traced it to a pipe under the bathroom floor. The price they offered was so good that we ended up redoing the entire bathroom. The work was wonderful, finished quickly, and barely disrupted our routine — we would call them again without hesitation.
Claudia F.
Visit Our Showroom
Planning what replaces it? Compare cabinet doors and countertop slabs at our North Bethesda showroom.
iDesign Interior Solutions · North Bethesda, MD
(301) 881-1115 · Mon–Fri 9am–6pm · Sat 9am–6pm · Sun 10am–3pm