Replacing kitchen units but use existing worktop

TadleyBaggie

Our kitchen units are original installed by the builder, circa 1988. We had the work surfaces replaced, 10 or so years ago and it is still in reasonable nick.

Due to a long term (but only recently discovered) leak under the sink, there has been a collapse of the shelf. The units themselves are extremely tired and dated. It's possible we will be downsizing in a year or so and would like to get the house into a better state before we do.

My idea would be to DIY replace all the units (floor and wall) with the work surfaces in-situ to provide a cheap upgrade of the kitchen. So to achieve this the footprint and height of the floor units would need to be exactly the same. I haven't yet measured the existing units but do learned members here think I am trying to do the impossible?

spadoosh

Is it a particularly special worktop?

a 3m laminated worktop will cost about £60. One kitchen cabinet will cost about £40.

Depends how its been done but i would imagine the cabinets are supporting the worktop as such, you wont be able to keep the worktop in situ and replace the cabinets. Ie youll need to remove the worktop to remove the cabinets, put the new cabinets in and then refit the worktop.

Height should be a non issue, the cabinet legs are adjustable.

Cabinets are typically generic sizes, so 300mm, 400mm, 500mm 600mm, 800mm and 1000mm.

Doozergirl

what are the worktops made of?

FreeBear

spadoosh wrote: »

Depends how its been done but i would imagine the cabinets are supporting the worktop as such, you wont be able to keep the worktop in situ and replace the cabinets. Ie youll need to remove the worktop to remove the cabinets, put the new cabinets in and then refit the worktop.

Height should be a non issue, the cabinet legs are adjustable.

If it is an old MFI style kitchen that predates the use of adjustable legs, then the worktop will have to come off first. With adjustable legs, it might be possible to replace a unit at a time, but it is going to be a real fight...

TadleyBaggie

Good points. My reasoning to do the job myself (cost) and the cabinets would not be that hard to do. The existing main worktop isn't anything special but is L shaped. I don't have the skill/tools to make an invisible joint.

MarcTJTD

Typical height from floor to underside of worktop is 870mm.

If you've the same difference, you may well be able to re-use your worktops, assuming the cabinets that are under them are standard widths.

In the majority of kitchen ranges, this is usually 150mm plinth/legs and 720mm door/cabinet; though some manufacturers do vary. We've a range that's 166mm plinth/legs and 704mm door/cabinet, for example.

mallymal

I think you could do it! Most kitchen cabinets have adjustable legs hidden behind the plinth. Your main challenge is finding all the screws the original installer used to screw cabinets to each other/ to the wall / to the worktop.

If you’re logical about it, you should be able to leave most units in place, so as to keep the worktop supported, then remove a couple and slide in your replacements. Then tackle another couple, and so on.

Years ago I helped out a friend whose washer sprung a leak, and the mains stopcock was buried behind a kitchen cabinet! Did exactly as above to pull out the cabinet to gain access. As the cabinet wasn’t damaged , I put the same one back later, but it’s the same principle. Good luck