Order of installation

[Brennan]

I am fussing with my builder over the order in which I would like the house to be built. We already are sheetrocked and taped and I would now like the hardwood and tile floors to be laid. The builder wants to do them as one of the last things after the cabinets, plumbing and further painting is completed. What is the usual order for the hardwood floors and tile ?...It seems inefficient to lay them around cabinets when you could simply place the cabinets on the floors at the end ....help!

[Rich]

Typically it's done with setting the cabinets and then the flooring. Of course, there is always debate about it which is better, easier, or smarter. The way I look at it is if you want to switch floor later or it gets damaged by water it's a whole lot easier to replace it if it butts up to the cabinets instead of going underneath. The cabinet installer can come in and set the cabinets wherever they want to and not have to worry about damaging the floors. If you ever have a nail/staple stuck to the bottom of a cabinet and somebody pulls it across the floor - you'll understand what I mean.

[mjpliv]

Generally, the finish kickplate for the cabinets can be left off untill after the finish flooring is installed. This will make ir easier to fit the tiles to the cabinets in place.

[grumpydasmurf]

Youd think the floors should be done close to last so they don't get damaged and it's easier for the trades to do what they need to do.

[grumpydasmurf]

Ummm quick question. Why do you want the floors in now?

[mfinley919]

I always put the cabinets in before the floor. Leave the doors off until the floors are done then reinstall all the doors last thing to protect them.

- Why pay for expensive finish flooring under the cabinets? Got to be adding 20% to the cost.

- Also makes it impossible to do anything involving any type of boarder within the center of the room that would butt up against the cabinets.

- As stated the floor stands a better chance of being damaged.

The main reason : - As stated, can you imagine the nightmare and the huge costs involved at changing the floor later? Removal of cabinets, counters and back splash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That would be grounds for hunting down the floor installer and killing him for doing that to me.