Which npm script hook can be used to remove node module BEFORE npm install

I need to remove a local package prior to npm install. I was hoping to use an npm script hook to accomplish this, but the ones that appear to be viable do not work. preinstall does not work because it will not run before the package tree is calculated (discussed here), and prepare seems to run into the same issue.

Is there an npm hook that can be used prior to the tree being calculated?

via skwny