What is the best way to demo an old kitchen in New Brunswick?

Kitchen demolition in New Brunswick requires careful planning before you swing a single hammer, because older NB homes frequently contain hazards like asbestos floor tiles, galvanized plumbing, knob-and-tube wiring, and load-bearing walls that can turn a straightforward demo into a dangerous and expensive problem. Budget $1,000-$3,000 for professional demolition and disposal of a typical NB kitchen.

Before any demolition begins, identify hidden hazards. In homes built before 1990, have floor tiles and any suspect materials tested for asbestos ($30-$75 per sample). Check whether your home has knob-and-tube wiring or aluminum wiring, both common in older NB housing stock. Locate your main water shut-off, electrical panel, and gas shut-off (if applicable). If you are removing or modifying any walls, have a contractor or structural engineer confirm whether they are load-bearing. In many NB homes, the kitchen wall separating it from the dining room is load-bearing, and removing it without proper support will compromise your home's structure.

Turn off utilities to the kitchen before starting. Shut off the water supply to the kitchen sink and dishwasher at the shut-off valves (or the main if there are no local shut-offs). Turn off the electrical breakers serving the kitchen circuits. If you have a gas range, shut off the gas valve and do not disconnect the gas line yourself; that requires a licensed gas fitter. Cap any disconnected water lines to prevent leaks.

For the demolition sequence, work from top to bottom. Remove cabinet contents, then take off cabinet doors and drawers. Unscrew upper cabinets from the wall (have a helper support them so they do not fall). Remove countertops next; laminate countertops can usually be pried up, while granite or quartz requires careful handling due to weight (a 10-foot quartz counter can weigh 300-400 pounds). Remove base cabinets, then tackle flooring, backsplash, and any fixtures.

Disposal is a significant consideration in NB. Most municipalities in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John have specific rules about construction waste. You cannot put demo materials in regular garbage pickup. Your options include renting a dumpster ($350-$600 for a 10-yard bin, which handles most kitchen demos), making multiple trips to your local landfill or transfer station, or having your contractor handle disposal as part of their scope. Old appliances can often be picked up by scrap metal recyclers at no charge.

While some NB homeowners handle basic demolition as a DIY project to save $500-$1,500 on labour, be realistic about what you should and should not do yourself. Removing cabinet doors, hardware, and countertops is reasonable DIY work. Disconnecting plumbing, removing electrical fixtures, and dealing with any structural elements should be left to licensed professionals. Any work involving asbestos must be done by a certified abatement contractor following WorkSafeNB regulations.

If your contractor is handling the full renovation, many prefer to do the demo themselves so they can inspect the condition of walls, subfloor, plumbing, and wiring as they go. This often catches hidden issues early, before new materials are installed. Ask your contractor whether they prefer to handle demo or if they are comfortable with you doing it to save on costs.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Gionetterenovations
• Thirty Four Renovations