Cabinets first or flooring first?

[Mona V.]

I am working on one of my rentals and need to do the flooring and the kitchen cabinets. I am thinking vinyl planks for flooring, ones which glue, not the floating ones. What do you put first - cabinets or flooring? I think its cleaner if I get the flooring complete and put cabinets on it but I have never worked with vinyl planks before. Any advise from experienced members here would be helpful. Thanks!

[Charlie Price]

Interesting that there are many on both sides. Like many remodeling projects it seems there are different ways to go about doing them. I suppose it does not makes a whole whole lot of difference, but I prefer the floors down first. I have been using the higher quality vinyl plank flooring where possible for the last 5-6 years and it just makes for a cleaner/quicker/easier install. Can’t imagine the buckling or intention issues coming into play. I could be wrong though. As far as the “less material” used...it is really just a small amount when compared with the overall project and investment.

[Ola Dantis]

Yes, there are different ways to do things but sometimes in construction, it is better to do things right first time as opposed to trying to save a buck here and there. 

[Roger S.]

Its a lot easier to lay the floor without making a lot of wonky cuts around the cabinets.

[Roger S.]

If the weight of cabinets causing buckling were really an issue, then you'd have to lay the floor around your refrigerator and stove.   It's not that big of a deal.  leave your 1/4 inch gaps at the walls and go for it.  Done it for years.

[Emma T.]

Flooring first. That way you know all of your floor is covered before you put your cabinets in place.

[Mona V.]

wow, Thank you all for advise!!. I finally decided to go in with the flooring first because my flooring wouldn't be floating, easy to install, avoids a sandwiched dishwasher, hopefully will protect the subfloor from leaks.