Did the flooring squeak before the cabinets were installed, or was the flooring laid down after the cabinets? If cabinets were installed first, the board end/s possibly could be rubbing against the molding or the cabinet as the floor flexes. Use a cardboard tube (one end to ear and other end to floor) or a touch test to narrow the offending area down to the immediate vicinity producing the noise. However, I'm a bit dubious about the shoe moulding squeaking. If the squeaks are that consistent, have one person step to make squeak while the other gently touches along the molding. Other should be able to feel the slight vibration of the squeak if it's caused by the floor rubbing along the molding. I'm a bit more inclined to think the squeak is caused by the floorboards flexing down to a slight low place in the underlayment. If you have a warranty, ask the builder to check it out... frankly, I think I'd ask even if it wasn't under warranty.

I think it would look better painted.That is how we did it in a previous residence. According to one source "Shoe moulding is traditionally part of the baseboard. Baseboard used to be made up in pieces and shoe moulding was one of the pieces. If you stain it, then you are bringing the floor up onto the baseboard."

Maybe this is a regional thing? When we lived in the Northeast, we never saw anything except shoe molding painted or stained to match the woodwork. We moved to the Southeast and have not seen anything except shoe molding that matches the flooring, including at the base of the cabinets. It looked strange to us at first, but now it seems normal. I will say that when it is stained to match the hardwood floor, it doesn't show scuff marks like the white painted molding did. In your case, cbjmidwood, neither of your colors would be light, so you wouldn't have that problem -- so it seems like just a matter of personal preference. Maybe go to an open house or two and see how they treat this in your area. Your kitchen sounds very nice -- hope you will love it!

Exactly What Kristin said.... Sometimes when you measure a kitchen you can get a feel for whether you will need shoe molding or not. Quite often it is ordered midway through the install of the cabinets when it becomes obvious it will be needed. Of course you have to pay for it. But it is a fairly standard molding that every cabinet company, maker, custom shop etc would have a standard part of their offerings. Also - did you ask if he is keeping a certain amount of your paint finish? What happens if you need a door replaced in the first year? Dye lots change, there usually is paint kept for parts replacement or add on pieces needed... Did you do crown molding and light rail? Who supplied and finished and installed that? As far as the nail holes! Whoever installed that should be touching that up..... Good luck and keep us posted