Working through a similar quandary. Searched the web, and this site, but there is not a definitive answer.
This is how we are working it:
-My cabinet guy will install the cabinets after the hardwood floor is installed, but not finished. He will leave off the kick plates and base molding.
-The floor guy will finish the floor.
-The cabinet guy will install the kick plates and base molding. (BTW, the cabinet guy is my GC, who will install but not finish the floor).

The floor under the fridge will get finished, but not under the dishwasher, sink or oven. (I hope this is not a problem.) If your cabinet guy would do the extra step with the kick plates and base molding sounds like you're in good shape.

I'm interested in hearing what others say about this.

I honestly hate having a floor finisher in after my cabinets are set... They always leave the swirl marks from the edger along the cab's, always manage to get some poly slopped somewhere, and I dont think there's such a thing as dustless sanding.

Whats the big deal about finishing the floors first? Give them a few days to cure, and then make sure the cab guy lays down some protection. I do it that way all the time. Of course Im not one of those get-in, get the check, get-out types. I guess that's also why I dont make any money. hah! :-)

I know when I see cabinets in in kitchens where the floor still needs to be re-finished that I always cringe.

Let's put it this way. DH and I installed our cabinets ourselves- we managed to do it without one single ding or mark on our floors. I know there is no way we could have stained and varnished the floors (ours were factory finished)without getting something on to the cabinets. And no one is going to be as careful as the owners- right?

However, putting the kick plates up afterwards is a good comprimise- but I'd much prefer the floors done first!

I'd word the email...
After sleeping on this, I/We have decided that we are more comfortable with having the floors sanded and finished before the cabinets go in. We will let the floors cure for XXX days and protect them with resin paper and cardboard. Once the cabinets are in, you can do the final finish coat.

I've toyed with so many different ways to have the wood floors refinished, before cabinets, after cabinets, one coat then the other 2 coats at the end. What ended up happening was that I had the floors completely refinished while waiting for replacement upper cabinets and correct hood. Anyway....Circuspeanut (a poster on this forum) told me to protect the floors with rosin paper first then with Masonite. It's working like a charm. As a matter of fact a few sub contractors have commented on what a great idea. I haven't taken it up yet because we are still not finished. But I'm sure the floor will be fine.

Wow I am amazed, reading these posts, that the people we are paying to do our kitchens don't seem to know or agree on the best process.

Does that mean you are always having to be there, adjudicating, troubleshooting, monitoring everything, even if you have a GC and may-be a KD too?

I don't know why I'm so surprised because actually this was the lesson we learned, are learning, with the bathroom remodel.

Everyone is looking out for themselves. No one wants to be responsible for damaging what the other has already done. The guy who goes first does not have the responsibility or financial risk of something going wrong. They all want the OTHER guy to assume the risk. It CAN be done and done well either way if necessary. When a house is built new, floor goes in first, then cabinets.

My cabinet installer would have been happier not to have the floor finished first. He was up front that the reason was less liability for him.

According to my floor finisher there is some protection from moisture (not severe floods) by applying a finish coat under appliances. Things like steam a little dripped water are less likely to cause problems. Also, if you ever replace any cabinets, change anything, you have a consistent flooring underneath.

Think of it this way, if you already had a wood floor in the room, would the cabinet installers need to rip it out to put new cabinets in? No? Then they can obviously work with the flooring already in place. It is their responsibility to make sure they don't damage already existing walls and floors and woodwork. But why should they have to bother being careful if they can convince you to leave the just a plywood floor until they are done? It goes the other way, too. If you called someone to refinish your wood floors that were already in place would they expect you to remove the cabinets, first? NO! They too, can work around cabinets without destroying them. It is even easier if the toe kick has not been installed first, and will cover up any small nicks by the sander.

I do think damage to the cabinets by the sander, since you really want them to get right up close to cabinets for a nice finish, is more difficult to avoid then damage to floor, which can be covered and protected in numerous different ways, including those described above, as well as drop cloths, corregated cardboard and other items being used.

Sue

I big time regret having the floors done after! The idiot floor guy actually poly-ed pieces of protective paper that the GC had the cabinet guys install the cabinets on, and now they can't come out without redoing the floors.

I should also mention the damage done to my cabinets by others on the GC's crew. I had to have two drawer faces redone, and have to live with the scratch between them, bc some moron decided it was a good idea to lean a piece of wood on my cabinets, which then apparently slid down to the floor. I also had to have two upper cabinet doors refinished at the factory after they were mysteriously scratched. Also, the painters were morons, getting paint all over everything that wasnt' supposed to be painted, including my pre-finished cabinets. If I could do it again, I'd have the cabinets put in as last as possible. Obviously, appliances and countertops have to come after, but I see no reason why anything else should come after!

You can tell someone they are "responsible" for your cabinets all day long, but the bottom line is you are the one that will have to live with the "touch-ups" to hide the mistakes of morons who do not care one bit about YOUR kitchen.

(Oooo, do I sound bitter?!? Sorry, but after spending zillions for over a year, we have SOOOO many issues, I could just scream!)

Smarge, I feel your pain. We had the most crooked, dishonest, deceitful brothers do our remodel. Now, over two years later, we are STILL repairing their messes. I'm livid.My dear husband spent a lot and these fools lied and took advantage of him. Did I say "I'm livid??"

Smarge

Add a shoe molding to that base

Smarge-

I understand your frustration with the bits of paper, but honestly, there's no reason to completely re-do the floors just for that. With a razor blade, 2 Q-tips dipped in the stain, and an artists brush for the finish, I'd have those area's back to perfect in an hour.

Who works for whom here? You decide what you want and how it's done. If I want the job (as a contractor) I'll meet your needs.

If you've paid your $$$ to the floor guy already , sorry you're SOL.