This is the base molding we have.

That was one of the things I was wondering...if the toe molding would get really messy without shoe. But doesn’t that stand to reason that the shoe molding would get messed up too? So either way you have a messy look from bumps and scuffs? Or does shoe handle the bumping and scuffing better? I have no idea how all this works! I googled and it said shoe molding is just a finishing “look” and to use or not use based on preference. So I was confused what other reasons to have or not have it.

Shoe molding gets touch up painted, or replaced as sacrificial. It’s easier to do that than it is to paint the toekick.

But that is a lot of height difference on your floor here. Your standard toekick isn’t tall enough to deal with that. You’d have a 1”+ gap at the top if you follow the floor with it. That much gap would be visible. You need a custom cut toe.

Has the floor issue been diagnosed, addressed, and stabilized? When a floor has that much height issue, first route is to address the root of the problem.

Did the installers average the floor. Sometimes it's one high area that is throwing it all off -- it's better to remove some vs shim up the whole other side. Scribe the base. I would not have a shoe ... not in a kitchen.

Shoe moulding is a "fix" ... to hide a less than perfect joint where the base moulding meets the floor. I never do one

They didn’t level the floor. Our floor was already in, and I think the plan was just to level the cabinets.

I prefer not to have the shoe looks wise, but if it’ll be an issue with maintenance I agree it’s easier to replace and repaint that than the toe kick.

Our job is at a standstill because of cabinet issues, so I can’t even ask our contractor at the moment. Interested to see what he’ll say.

Thanks for the helpful advice. To be continued...

:)

I've never noticed that the toe kick gets beat up so I wouldn't worry about that. As was suggested above and was done in my kitchen for both remodels, a custom size toe kick panel must be made and then scribed to the floor or cabinet so that it sits on the floor. It's not difficult or complicated and it looks fine in the end. The peninsula in our first kitchen was at least an inch rise from one end to the other. They obviously didn't average it. The second kitchen was off by two inches. When I insisted they be reinstalled to split the difference in height between the two ends the contractor refused and I fired him. Had to hire another carpenter to fix it at my expense but it was worth it.

Unless, you can get a wider toe kick. Install the toe kick tight to the floor and leave the gap at the top. It will not be noticeable, unless you’re at floor level.