Here's a good illustration, does it make sense to sheet rock all your walls and then have your electrician come in and mount outlets and pull wire ? No , you do your electrical first then sheet rock after. It's the logical way to do it.And flooring in a kitchen is usually a similar situation.There are exceptions like floating floors perhaps as already mentioned

I've been in flooring for over 15 years and have done many homes in Greenwhich ,CT and a few in Manhatten and everywhere in between. Certainly not fly by night kinds of houses . Under normal circumstances, I can deliver the best possible floor (glue down or stapled)(unfinished or prefinished) when I install the floor first and in the case of an unfinished floor do all but the final coat until the kitchen is completely installed. Then I apply the final coat which takes care of any minor scuffs or shallow scratches.

Here's a few of the benefits:

-The base cabinets will be sitting on the flattest possible surface and might even require less shimming to be perfectly level.
-Far less chance of the flooring contractor damaging or scratching the cabinets.I'm careful in any instance.
-With unfinished flooring , there will be much less edging which will speed up the job.
-No hidden unfinished wood under cabinets.All the flooring will be finished and able to resist moisture better as well as spills.

Many builders and kitchen companies hate this because they have to be careful and conscientious . In over 15 years of installing and sanding/finishing floors , I have yet to see a water damage issue where cabinets had to be removed because the flooring extended under the cabinets. In every case, I have been able to correct the situation by having a plumber repair the water issue and then tackling the flooring portion through rip out and re install . But usually, re sanding corrects the problem 75% of the time

If a builder or kitchen company rigidly claims that flooring should be installed after the kitchen , no exceptions , then they are being evasive or dishonest.Maybe they are in a rush and don't feel like taking the time to let the flooring acclimate.

Well, here in Belgium, acording to the scope of work. The floor is install before the cabinets.
If the client want the cabinets before, to save on + - 8 - 10 M², the labour cost for installation in this situation will be 30% higher over the normal rate.
By this way I assure you that all the clients choose to do the flooring before.
I do kitchen installation too, I always have some plywood 4mm thickness 6x4 which are placed around, after having levelled all the base cabinets.
If it's tiling, do you think that you can tile after the kitchen. These type of questions here, people will take you for crazy.
OK let have some more interesting POST.

Hi.......!!
I'm completely redoing my kitchen including wall changes, new cabinets, countertop and lighting. I will be installing either prefinished engineered flooring or prefinished 3/4 flooring. (I'm still deciding which is better). Should I install the floor BEFORE OR AFTER I put the cabinets in? I get conflicting opinion from the cabinet and flooring retailers. The cabinet person says the floor goes in last and the floor person says the floor should be first. Also, my construction floor is 3/4 plywood. Do I need to tack on a 1/4" sheet of plywood before the finished floor as if I was installing a vinyl floor? HELP!!!

Put the floor in first, because when you install up to cabinets the last 3 rows of wood coming to the cabinets will be finish nailed instead of stapled because the gun wont fit, If the cabinets arnt in yet the finished nailed boards will be hidden under the cabinets. And no you dont add another layer of plywood, you're all set. Your cabinet guy doesnt want to have to protect the floor while installing. I would rather tighter boards just under my feet at the cabinets, especially where there could be a little water spillage here or there. Remember, the flooring will run across the joist pattern, if that doesnt look good for you , add the 1/4" plywood and that will give you an inch of subfloor allowing you to run the flooring the other direction.

Joe:

Good point. It's not something often mentioned...rarely. Also some installers will face/top nail the remaining rows where the floor nailer/stapler cannot reach.

Thanks for joining in:)

It depends on where the cabinets are... i generally would say it's better to have the hardwood down first for a few reasons... the install will look better overall, easier to sand, plus if you ever have the cabinets replaced down the road you don't have to worry about them being exact size.

I like it better installed before because if you do a remodel down the road you have a complete floor to work with. There are some nice things about doing it after but I would say do it before because I think its a little easier and its better for long term. If you do it first make sure the other subs are very careful with it tho. They can tend to scratch it up when working.

unfinished before cabinets..then finish at end of project.

prefinished after cabinets..thats what we always have done..no issues.

you get the crazys who want you to come in a seal where the cabinets go..so they can put the cabinets over..

wasted efforts on all parties involved.

This is definitely true. I have never installed flooring under cabinets like that though i have done a couple repairs from such installations and it was not easy. A little forethought can always save headache in the long run. Sure it would be easier to install first but you have always got to consider the next trades coming in to work behind you and the effect your work will have on them now and in the future. I have been installing hardwood, laminates and tile for 17 yrs and I am always near the end of the totem pole for my installations. Have you ever laid a beautiful floor only to have it destroyed by less than careful workers coming in behind you? If I had my way about it I would be last on the job every time. By the way everyone I am new to posting here so I would like to take this opportunity to say hello to everyone!

Welcome aboard Tradesman. We're always happy to have newcomers, but take a look at our rules. I removed a link you posted because...well... take a look at our rules.

Last always! Two things come to mind! Ever try to take plywood and hardwood out from under cabinets? If floor floods it will rot and mildew there not a pleasant prospect. How will the wood be allowed to expand or contract if cabinets are nailed to them or even resting on them.

Not sure of the set-up but in my kitchen if you installed the cabinets and countertop and then the hardwood floor you would never be able to get the dishwasher out from under the countertop if it needed repair and was leaking.

I agree with you Jedecker and thanks for putting light on this point.

Agree with JD as well. I just did a repair on a flooded hardwood and luckily they had those cheapy cabinets from Ikea, still a pain in the azz cutting around those supports.

As far as the diswasher goes, you can set the cabinets 3/4 of an inch higher with shims, run the hardwood under the dishwasher. Slide that puppy in there. Planning before hand is a bitch.

99.9% of the time, doing the floors after the cabinets is totally fine. I have installed many hardwood floors post cabinets and the houses are still standing just fine.