my cabinets (henrybuilt) came with very detailed instructions.
this is paraphasing from their installation manual:

1. review shipment/check for damages
2. check drawings for accuracy to site
3. lay out kitchen for fit
4. install base units, "beginning with units or appliances that dictate height or spacing of adjacent run(s)."
5. install upper/wall units
6. install wall/ceiling scribe
7. install sub-countertop spacers
8. install end/side/back panels, if flooring is complete
9. install appliance panels

10. install sub-kick, kickface
11. fine tune doors/drawers
12. remove protective coverings

my contractor did not strictly adhere to this sequence, but he did install the base cabinets first, then uppers.

just my layman's experience...i'm sure the GW pros will pipe in with the reasoning behind this order.

good luck.

A lot of people like to install wall cabinets first (have to make sure level line is struck for top of base cabinets starting at highest spot, then another level line or better, a temporary ledger board, 18" above it for bottoms of wall cabinets). This way they don't have to reach over the deeper bases to get the cabinets hung on the wall. I think it's just personal preference.

What about the idea of installing the range and hood while installing the cabinets. I never heard of doing that.

Hood maybe but I would not think the range- but just ask him why? There is no hard fast rule- maybe he has a reason for his madness.

Our installer preferred to do the base cabinets first but it's my understanding that either is fine. Don't really get the hood and range but if there is a cabinet above the hood he has to do the alterations before he puts it in so maybe he figures its best to just get it out of the way rather than coming back to it.

There is nothing wrong with his suggested order of installation. We chose to put our wall units in first with close attention to our bases to make sure they would line-up/center correctly. Honestly it sound to me like you have an installer who wants to make sure everything is centered and aligned. That's a good thing!

Sounds good. Thanks for the input and reassurance. He said it was better to install the appliances this way because it decreases the chance of scratching the cabinets. I guess that's true for the hood, but the range has to come out for soapstone installation, so I'm not sure much is saved there.

Don't install the appliances until the countertops are in. A cabinet door can be replaced or refinished fairly easily/inexpensively, but a scratch or dent on an appliance - major hassle.

Thanks ajsmama. I think the plan is to template with the range, move the range, install stone, replace the range.

I wouldn't even install a cabinet on the side with the range in place. Sure, put the other cabinets in, place the range to mark the width (should be standard 30" or 36" though?), but then pull it out and leave it out while the remaining cabinets are installed, and don't put it back in til all the work (tiling, painting, etc.) is done. I still have the plastic on my SS FD fridge b/c we're putting up crown and just didn't want to risk it. The Sears repairman already put a scratch in the side moving it out to do a warranty "upgrade" from LG.

We hung our wall cabinets first, then the base. It was easier to hang the wall cabinets without the bases in the way. In hindsight, I wish we had installed the hood while we were doing the top cabinets just because it would have made it easier. It was a tight fit. I actually ended up removing the cabinet next to it to make installation easier, then rehung the cabinet. I would NOT install the range though. It seems like if you install the cabinet-range-cabinet that there exists a possibility that it may be difficult to get the range back out at a later date. I'd leave the space as recommended by the range mfg and install the range later.