How to raise or remove benchtop to fit washing machine?

plague

I am in the process of buying a new property. One thing I have a problem with in the new property is that the washing machine doesn't fit the space in the laundry room. There's no room in the laundry to put it anywhere else.

This is the existing laundry room currently in display.

Anyone have a recommendation on how I can remove the top part of the washing machine space? The width should be ok (or better to remove the side as well) but height is definitely a problem.

I just bought a new washing machine a few months ago. So I don't want to replace that just to fit this space. But I don't want to put the washing machine outside the laundry room as well. Only place is to put it outside the house.

Would appreciate any advice I can get on dealing with this issue.

JacobZ

Hi @plague,

Before deciding on a solution, it would be worth checking exactly how much extra height you need. What is the height of the washing machine, and what is the current clearance under the benchtop?

I ask because many washing machines have adjustable levelling feet that can be wound up or down, and in some cases, they can even be removed or swapped for lower-profile feet. If the difference is only minimal, that might be enough to get it under the bench, provided the machine can still sit level and stable.

If the height difference is more than that, the practical answer is to modify the cabinetry. Rather than trying to raise the whole benchtop, you would cut the benchtop along the dotted line below and remove the end panel/side panel so that area becomes an open space instead of a boxed-in washing machine cavity. The machine can then sit at full height without being trapped under the bench.

Now there are a couple of things that you should check before committing to this. The first is that the tiles actually cover the wall behind this section. As it is an open cabinet, there'd generally be tiles behind it, but it is not a guarantee. The other thing to check is what the benchtop is made of, as if it is engineered stone, modifications must be done by a suitably trained and licenced person. DIY modifications to engineered stone are not legal.

If you were set on raising the benchtop and retaining the bench space over the washing machine, then that would mean altering the cabinetry, so they sit higher, uninstalling the benchtop and sink, having a plumber alter the pipes to accommodate the alterred position of the sink, then reinstalling the benchtop and sink. It would not be a simple task and would likely be more expensive than you'd hope.

I'd see if there is any way the washing machine height can be reduced, and if not, consider removing that section so the washing machine simply sits next to the cabinets.

Allow me to tag @R4addZ, @Dave-1 and @Noyade to see what they think.

Jacob