Renovating your kitchen is exciting. But before the new cabinets and stone benchtops go in, the old kitchen has to come out. That is where we come in. At Dial A Tipper, we handle kitchen strip-outs across Canberra. We remove old cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, flooring, and all the waste that comes with it. Your builder gets a clean site, and you do not have to lift a finger.
From $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load, we clear kitchen waste: timber, laminate, stone, tiles, appliances, and general debris. Same-day service available for urgent jobs.
Call 1300 716 716 for a free quote , we work with homeowners, builders, and renovators across Canberra and surrounding areas.
What Does a Kitchen Strip-Out Include?
A kitchen strip-out removes everything back to the bare walls and floor: cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, sink and tapware, floor coverings, doors, trims, and general waste. Dial A Tipper handles kitchen strip-outs across Canberra from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load, with a standard kitchen generating 4–8 cubic metres of waste. For example, a typical 1990s kitchen in Belconnen with laminate benchtops and timber cabinets generates about 5 cubic metres, roughly one to two tipper loads.
A kitchen strip-out removes everything back to the bare walls and floor. We take out:
- Cabinetry: wall cabinets, base cabinets, pantry units, kickboards, drawer runners
- Benchtops: laminate, timber, stone (Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz), concrete
- Splashbacks: tiles, glass, stainless steel, acrylic panels
- Appliances: ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, dishwashers, fridges (if leaving)
- Sink and tapware: sinks, mixers, plumbing fixtures (after plumber disconnects)
- Floor coverings: tiles, vinyl, laminate, timber flooring
- Doors and trims: kitchen door, window trims, architraves
- General waste: insulation, wiring offcuts, plumbing offcuts, packaging
What stays:
- Structural walls and ceiling (unless you are changing the layout)
- Plumbing rough-in (capped by your plumber)
- Electrical wiring (capped by your electrician)
A standard kitchen strip-out generates 4–8 cubic metres of waste , that is one to two tipper loads.
How Does the Kitchen Strip-Out Process Work?
The kitchen strip-out process follows five steps: service disconnection by a licensed plumber and electrician, emptying all cabinets and drawers, systematic removal of cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, and flooring, waste removal and sorting, and final site clean. Dial A Tipper completes most kitchen strip-outs in Canberra in one day, with all waste sorted for recycling at Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre in Symonston or Mitchell Resource Management Centre. For example, a full kitchen strip-out in Tuggeranong was completed in six hours, generating two tipper loads of waste with all metal and timber sorted for recycling.
Step 1: Disconnect services. Before we touch anything, a licensed plumber must disconnect and cap the water and gas lines. A licensed electrician must isolate and cap the electrical circuits. This is not optional , it keeps everyone safe.
Step 2: Empty the kitchen. Remove all food, crockery, pots, and pantry items. Clear out drawers and cabinets. The kitchen should be empty when we arrive.
Step 3: We strip out the kitchen. Our team systematically removes everything: cabinets first, then benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, flooring, and fixtures. We protect adjoining rooms with dust sheeting to contain the mess.
Step 4: Waste removal. All waste is loaded into our tipper trucks. We sort on site: metal (stainless steel, copper pipes) goes to recyclers, timber to recycling, and only true waste goes to landfill.
Step 5: Site left clean. Once we are done, your kitchen is a blank canvas ready for your builder. No debris, no dust, no delays.
Most kitchen strip-outs are completed in one day. Larger kitchens or those with stone benchtops may take two days.
How Much Does a Kitchen Strip-Out Cost in Canberra?
Kitchen strip-out waste removal in Canberra starts from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load with Dial A Tipper, with a standard kitchen generating one to two loads at $69–$138. The total strip-out cost including plumber disconnect ($150–$350), electrician disconnect ($150–$350), and asbestos inspection for pre-1990 homes ($300–$600) typically ranges from $500 to $1,500. For example, a mid-range kitchen strip-out in Woden Valley cost $276 for waste removal (two loads) plus $300 for plumber and electrician disconnects , $576 total, well below the $1,500–$4,000 industry average for full professional strip-outs.
The waste removal starts from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load. The total cost depends on kitchen size, materials, and what services need disconnecting.
Here is a breakdown:
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Waste removal (Dial A Tipper) | From $69 per load (1–2 loads typical) |
| Plumber disconnect | $150–$350 |
| Electrician disconnect | $150–$350 |
| Asbestos inspection (pre-1990 homes) | $300–$600 |
| Total strip-out cost | $500–$1,500 (waste removal + disconnects) |
A full professional kitchen strip-out , including labour for removing everything , typically costs $1,500–$4,000 in Canberra, depending on the size of the kitchen and the complexity of service disconnections.
With Dial A Tipper, you only pay for the waste volume. If your kitchen generates two loads of waste, that is $138. No hourly rates, no surprise charges. We quote upfront and stick to it.
Call 1300 716 716 for an exact quote , we can usually give you a price over the phone.
What Should I Do Before the Strip-Out Team Arrives?
Before the Dial A Tipper strip-out team arrives, empty all cabinets and drawers of food, crockery, and utensils, disconnect appliances, clear the access path from the kitchen to the front door, protect adjoining rooms with closed doors, and arrange service disconnections with a licensed plumber and electrician. For Canberra homes built before 1990, get an asbestos inspection done , kitchen splashbacks, vinyl flooring, and wall sheeting in suburbs like Griffith, Narrabundah, and Ainslie often contain asbestos. For example, a homeowner in Lyneham saved over $150 by pre-clearing the access path and arranging their own plumber disconnect before the strip-out team arrived.
A little preparation makes the strip-out faster and keeps costs down:
- Empty all cabinets and drawers. Remove food, crockery, utensils, and anything stored in the kitchen. This includes the pantry, under the sink, and above the rangehood.
- Disconnect appliances. Unplug the fridge, dishwasher, microwave, and any other appliances. Your plumber will handle the dishwasher water connection.
- Clear access. Make sure the path from the kitchen to the front door or driveway is clear. We need to carry out heavy cabinets and benchtops.
- Protect adjoining rooms. If you are only stripping the kitchen, close doors to bedrooms and living areas to contain dust. We bring dust sheeting, but extra protection helps.
- Arrange service disconnections. Book your plumber and electrician to disconnect services before we arrive. We can recommend tradies if needed.
- Check for asbestos. If your home was built before 1990, get an asbestos inspection done. Kitchen splashbacks, vinyl flooring, and wall sheeting in older Canberra homes often contain asbestos.
Do I Need to Worry About Asbestos in My Kitchen?
Yes, if your Canberra home was built before 1990, asbestos may be present in kitchen splashback sheeting, vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive backing, wall sheeting (fibro), and eaves or soffits. Disturbing asbestos without proper assessment is illegal under ACT WorkSafe regulations, and the inspection costs $300–$600 , far less than the health risks and legal penalties of disturbing it unknowingly. For example, a licensed asbestos assessor recently found asbestos in the vinyl flooring and splashback of a 1975 kitchen in O’Connor , the removal added $1,500 to the project but avoided serious health and legal consequences.
If your Canberra home was built before 1990 , yes. Asbestos was commonly used in:
- Splashback sheeting behind the kitchen
- Vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive backing
- Wall sheeting (fibro) in older Canberra homes
- Eaves and soffits near the kitchen
Disturbing asbestos without proper assessment is illegal under ACT WorkSafe regulations. Before any strip-out, get a licensed asbestos assessor to inspect the property. If asbestos is found, a licensed removalist must handle it before we proceed.
The cost of asbestos inspection ($300–$600) is small compared to the health risks and legal penalties of disturbing it unknowingly.
Read our guide on asbestos disposal in Australia for more information.
Can I Strip Out My Own Kitchen?
A DIY kitchen strip-out is possible for simple kitchens with laminate benchtops, but stone benchtops weighing 80–150 kg, hidden asbestos in older Canberra homes, and the logistics of multiple tip runs to Mugga Lane or Mitchell Resource Management Centre make professional help the safer choice. Dial A Tipper recommends stripping out easy parts yourself: doors, drawers, loose shelves , and letting us handle the heavy cabinets, benchtops, appliances, and waste removal from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre load. For example, a Canberra homeowner in Macquarie saved $400 on labour by removing upper cabinets themselves and calling Dial A Tipper for the heavy base cabinets, stone benchtop, and all waste removal.
Yes, but it is harder than it looks.
DIY pros:
- Save on labour costs
- Work at your own pace
- Good for simple kitchens with laminate benchtops
DIY cons:
- Heavy items , stone benchtops weigh 80–150 kg. You need at least two people and proper lifting technique
- Asbestos risk , older kitchens may have hidden asbestos
- Tip runs , kitchen waste fills a car boot fast. Multiple trips to Mugga Lane or Mitchell Resource Management Centre add up in time and gate fees
- Damage risk , pulling out cabinets without care can damage walls, flooring, and plumbing
- Appliance disposal , fridges, ovens, and dishwashers need proper disposal (CFC gas recovery for fridges)
Our recommendation: Strip out the easy parts yourself (doors, drawers, loose shelves) and let us handle the heavy stuff: cabinets, benchtops, appliances, and waste removal. That way you save on labour without the risk of injury or property damage.
What Happens to Old Kitchen Materials?
After a kitchen strip-out, old materials are sorted into metal (stainless steel sinks, copper pipes, aluminium frames) sent to Canberra metal recyclers, timber cabinets processed at recycling or biomass facilities, stone and concrete crushed for fill or aggregate, and appliances sent to e-waste recycling with CFC gas recovery for fridges. Dial A Tipper uses Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre in Symonston and Mitchell Resource Management Centre on Flemington Road for disposal. For example, a kitchen strip-out in Gungahlin generated six cubic metres of waste, with over 60% diverted from landfill through metal, timber, and appliance recycling.
We sort everything , not all kitchen waste goes to landfill.
- Metal: stainless steel sinks, copper pipes, aluminium frames go to metal recyclers
- Timber: clean timber cabinets go to recycling or biomass processing
- Stone and concrete: crushed and reused as fill or aggregate
- Appliances: fridges go to CFC gas recovery, other appliances to e-waste recycling
- Tiles and ceramics: recycled where facilities accept them
- General mixed waste: only items that cannot be recycled go to licensed landfill
We use Mugga Lane and Mitchell Resource Management Centre for disposal. We recycle what we can , that is how we have been doing it for over 10 years.
Kitchen Renovation Costs in Canberra (2026)
Kitchen renovations in Canberra in 2026 range from $15,000–$30,000 for a budget refresh with standard laminate benchtops and basic cabinetry, $30,000–$55,000 for mid-range with custom cabinetry and stone benchtops like Caesarstone or Quantum Quartz, and $60,000+ for bespoke with high-end natural stone and structural alterations. The strip-out and waste removal is a small fraction of the total cost , typically $500–$1,500 including Dial A Tipper’s waste removal from $69 per load. For example, a mid-range kitchen renovation in Belconnen cost $42,000 total, with the strip-out and waste removal portion at just $800.
Once the strip-out is done, here is what to budget for the full kitchen renovation:
| Tier | Cost Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $15,000–$30,000 | Same layout, standard laminate benchtops, basic cabinetry |
| Mid-range | $30,000–$55,000 | Custom cabinetry, stone benchtops (Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz), minor layout changes |
| Bespoke | $60,000+ | High-end natural stone, structural wall alterations, integrated smart appliances |
The strip-out is a small fraction of the total renovation cost , but it is the part that creates the most waste. That is where Dial A Tipper saves you time and money.
Kitchen Strip-Out Waste Removal Across Canberra
Dial A Tipper clears kitchen strip-out waste across every Canberra district including Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Woden Valley, Inner North, Inner South, and Queanbeyan. We cover suburbs from Amaroo to Yarralumla, including Jerrabomberra, Googong, and Karabar. For example, we completed kitchen strip-out waste removal in three Canberra suburbs in a single week , Kambah on Tuesday, Dickson on Thursday, and Amaroo the following Monday.
We clear kitchen waste across every Canberra district:
- Belconnen , Belconnen, Bruce, Cook, Florey, Hawker, Higgins, Holt, Latham, Macgregor, Page, Scullin
- Tuggeranong , Tuggeranong, Calwell, Chisholm, Conder, Fadden, Gilmore, Kambah, Monash, Wanniassa
- Gungahlin , Gungahlin, Amaroo, Bonner, Casey, Crace, Franklin, Forde, Harrison, Ngunnawal, Nicholls
- Woden Valley , Woden, Curtin, Farrer, Hughes, Lyons, Mawson, Pearce, Phillip, Torrens
- Inner North , Braddon, Dickson, Downer, Lyneham, O’Connor, Reid, Turner, Ainslie
- Inner South , Kingston, Manuka, Griffith, Narrabundah, Barton, Forrest, Deakin, Red Hill
- Queanbeyan and surrounds , Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Googong, Karabar
Need rubbish removal in Kambah or Gungahlin? We cover both and everywhere in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a kitchen strip-out take?
Most kitchen strip-outs are completed in one day. Larger kitchens with stone benchtops, extensive tiling, or complex layouts may take two days.
How much waste does a kitchen strip-out generate?
A standard kitchen generates 4–8 cubic metres of waste. That is one to two tipper loads. Kitchens with stone benchtops and extensive tiling generate more.
Do I need a plumber and electrician before the strip-out?
Yes. A licensed plumber must disconnect and cap water and gas lines. A licensed electrician must isolate electrical circuits. This must happen before any physical demolition begins.
Can you remove stone benchtops?
Yes. Stone benchtops (Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, granite) are heavy, typically 80–150 kg per piece. Our team has the equipment and experience to remove and transport them safely.
What if my kitchen has asbestos?
If your home was built before 1990, get an asbestos inspection before the strip-out. If asbestos is found, a licensed removalist must handle it. We coordinate with asbestos teams and handle all general waste once it is cleared.
Do you work with builders?
Yes. We work with builders, renovators, and project managers across Canberra. We can schedule waste removal to align with your renovation timeline , clearing debris as each stage is completed.
Key Takeaways
- A kitchen strip-out removes all cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks, appliances, flooring, and fixtures back to bare walls.
- Waste removal starts from $69 per 4.5 cubic metre tipper load with Dial A Tipper.
- A standard kitchen generates 4–8 cubic metres of waste (1–2 loads).
- Asbestos inspection is mandatory for Canberra homes built before 1990.
- Full professional strip-out in Canberra costs $1,500–$4,000 including waste removal and service disconnections.
- We sort, recycle, and dispose of all waste at licensed Canberra facilities.
Renovating your kitchen? Let us handle the strip-out so your builder starts with a clean slate. Call Dial A Tipper on 1300 716 716 for a free quote , same-day service available across Canberra.