[alydev]

I'm still in the planning stages and doing lots of internet reading about other people's renos. I have seen things done in so many different ways.

Whenshouldthe floors go in? Before or after base cabinets are installed?

When is best to paint? Before or after wall cabs are mounted?

Why did you do it in the order you did?

[DesignDiva]

The flooring depends on what kind of flooring, what kind of appliances, etc. You may want to do the whole floor in case you ever move your kitchen around, you won't have to patch. You would want to do tile or hardwood (anything thick like that) in the area where the range and fridge and dishwasher are going to be so you can get them in and out for service if needed. Be aware that installing cabs over the floor may raise the height of your counter, so take that into consideration. You can do it either way. If you decide to do flooring after cabinets, make sure you have enough room to get your appliances in under the counter, and that you install a piece of plywood to raise them up to meet the floor.

Painting is easiest before the cabinets go in, but that doesn't always turn out to be the most convenient time. You can do it either way.

We did flooring after cabinets but put the DW and range on blocks to raise them. The reason we did that is we have wood floors and the range and DW could have damaged them, so we chose not to floor under those appliances. We did floor under the fridge, island (it's on legs and exposed underneath) and the coffee bar and bev fridge (also exposed legs).

We painted after the cabinets were in because we were having some drywall work done on the dining room entry and had to wait for that to be done before we painted. While we waited I installed the cabinets. Then I painted the dining room, kitchen and living room all at one time, taping off the cabinets as needed.

[ourmoneypit]

Hi,

We did laminate in the kitchen, and left it until almost last. We went around the cabinets, as we have toekick everywhere. We also put the laminate under the built-in DW and where the fridge is, for the reasons Eva mentioned. We had the experience of having to move the fridge over the lip of the laminate when we were working, and it was not fun. I couldn't imagine how we would have done it if the fridge had been in place in it's cubby. :shock:

As for painting, I did the kitchen walls before cabinets went in, but only where it was going to show when all was done. The ceiling was done after the cabinets went in, but that was because it took me a while to work up the courage to paint the ceiling green. I know, sounds weird, but we love it.

From experience, painting a backsplash, or the wall above the upper cabinets, after the cabinets are in is no fun.

Good luck!
Martine