I removed mine to install a tile backsplash. It is a DYI if you are very careful and patient. Mine was attached with globs of silicone that I had to score and used a putty knife with a sharp edge and a hammer. I was also careful not to have the granite backsplash scratch the countertop as I was removing it. I scored the drywall on the top of the granite, as to not tear the paper. Of course there was patching and priming to do, but it all turned out well.
The only problem is that your counter might have gaps that are larger than the tile. When they install a granite backsplash, the counter does not need to be scribed as closely to the wall.

Thanks, annalyn123, it sounds like a job requiring time & caution, but doable.I just peered under the backsplash at what I thought was a score line in the granite and discovered it's actually a bead of silicone.

I knew the wall might need patching or repair, even if we planned to tile over it, but I was concerned that I might have to build out with drywall to cover cuts in the countertop.

Funny how the range breaks and it leads to thoughts about removing the whole backsplash.....

Be careful, our range broke and it led to all new appliances, refinishing the cabinets, new countertops and backsplash..........:)

i agree with what annalyn said.

oldryder, thank you for responding. I haven't proposed this scheme to my DH yet as I wanted to know what we might find if we did it and what it would take to preserve the countertop and do the least damage to the wall.

amck:

The gap issue can't be overstated. Think of ways you will get yourself out of trouble before you pull your splash. Perhaps a profiled piece of complementary or contrasting 1/4" or 1/2" x 1" solid surface laid on the flat on the deck and scribed to the wall to cover the gap.

Haha. This was us a month ago! We removed the 4" back splash in order to tile. Turned out there were several really big gaps (some around 1") those granite pieces were covering up.

We ended up putting them back, but not before having them cut down to 1.5" by a fabricator. Not totally finished yet, but here it is. Not the end of the world.

Xand83, clever idea to just make the 4" back splash less tall to 1" which looks nice. I love the new back splash tiles you chose with your counters and the cabinets.

Xand83, nice!

Xand83, that had been my original plan! I had started a thread about cutting down the 4" backsplash. I did not end up having huge gaps and did not need to cut my old splash. I did have to have a side splash I would not have wanted otherwise, but I have gotten used to it and it looks fine. I actually miss having the security of the granite trim with water spills, etc. I know the tile is sealed well, but I felt more secure with the granite. Your kitchen looks great!

Amck, I laughed when I read your last post. My DH was the last to know. I did all my homework first. Actually, he would not help since he was convinced I would break the counter and wanted no part of it. He would only carry out the heavy pieces, but would not do the scoring and tapping with the hammer. Be very careful. Score, score, and score some more. Then take a very sharp putty knife and tap gently with a hammer. I went ever so carefully and slowly. Thankfully, nothing broke.

Glad I asked this question. That was a clever fix.

I'm both curious and scared to know what size gap is behind my backsplash....

we just had a full quartz backsplash placed incorrectly in a new build kitchen. now the contractor will not remove because he says too difficult, Can anyone comment on how hard this is to do for a stone fabricator? possible? not possible? Obviously we don't want to damage our cabinets and quartz countertops.