Please can you tell us what goes first flooring or base cabinets

You can do either one first. Each project is judged on it's own. Such as-- are you using hardwood flooring, or tile? Are you confident you won't damage the floor while you are installing the base cabinets?

I've done it both ways, when I install the cabinets first, I set them up on 'skids' to raise them. If you install the base cabinets first, and your flooring goes in after that, keep in mind that the dishwasher needs to be able to go in and out. You don't want to block the opening. And I put skids down for the dishwasher to sit on.

If you do 'fastened in' hardwood floors, then doing the cabinets after will help to hide flooring fasteners - otherwise you'll have to surface nail/staple the ones near the cabinets. If you do put down the flooring first, keep in mind that the flooring doesn't have to go all the way under the cabinets - you can stop them short and add skids to save time and money.

It also depends on what shape the cabinets form -- such as an "L" shape, or a "U" shape, or whatever. I believe grout lines and such should parallel the cabinets -- not look a big "V".

And do you have the upper cabinets installed yet? It's easier to do the uppers first, but maybe you shouldn't do them until the base cabinets are in. Some people say always do the upper first, but that's not true -- it depends on the configuration of the kitchen. Such as a refrigerator panel may require doing some base cabinets first, then the uppers to match up with the base. It's all a head scratcher, thats where experienced people come in, their knowledge and skill is worth money for a reason.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Re-mdlr,

Thank you I appreciate your answer