Originally posted this in kitchen design forum but thinking this might be a better place.

I'm buying a house with nice hickory cabinets but a terrible kitchen layout. I'd like to replace the corian countertops with something else, and pull out some bottom cabinets to put in a newer range along one wall.

Currently the stove and range is on the end of the cabinets practically jutting into a hallway, and there is a breadbox in the corner on the other side of the row of cabinets that seems to be built into the upper cabinet. How would I be able to get the countertops out with that breadbox there? Any way to remove the bread box without destroying the whole corner cabinet?

See pics from home inspection. Thanks!

 

IMO - you would be best removing the cabinets from the wall, modifying them, and then reinstalling them in their new configuration. After the uppers are removed, pulling the counter-top will be a piece of cake.

 

Well I had thought I would need to remove the uppers on the same wall where the stove is, but was hoping to avoid fooling around with the corner unit. Is pulling down the corner unit required to get the counter top out with the breadbox there?

Is this a pretty straightforward DIY job (cabinet relo) for someone without any DIY experience? I'd hate to pay an arm and a leg for work I could reasonably do myself.

Also, what about removing the breadbox entirely? Can you do this with a jigsaw and still make the bottom of the cabinet look ok? How would you "cap" the bottom/sawed areas so it looks smooth and flush?

 

You might be able to get the counter top out with out removing the "breadbox" depending how it was installed in the first place. My brother-in-laws did come out fine but yours might not. By pulling the upper down you will for sure have no problems.

If you have no DIY experience it will be a challenge but still could be done. Just take your time and plan your steps. If you know anybody that could help you it would be better.

It looks to be that the corner cabinet and bottom was made all in one piece. Cutting it off with a jigsaw could work with a reverse tooth blade but I really doubt you would get a straight cut. Jigsaws tend to wander. A table saw would be better protecting the cut with tape and a zero clearance throat plate to reduce tear out.

Most uppers have exposed bottoms so I'm not sure if you will need to cover it as long as steps are taken to eliminate tear out, as mentioned above.

 

Inspect the inside of the bread box and the inside of the wall cabinet above to find how it is held in place.

I have one and it is held by two screws installed vertically into the front bottom rail of the wall cabinet above.

You will need to remove the bread box before removing the counter top.