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Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.

In most cases, it’s more affordable to refinish your cabinets than replace them, with refinishing costs averaging $3,000 and replacement costs around $9,000. However, there are some instances in which it’s better to replace your cabinets, like if they’re an outdated style, badly damaged and beyond repair, or a sub-par material, like fiberboard. In all other cases, it’s usually a better idea to have a professional refinish them to save money and restore their original condition.

It can take anywhere from two to six hours to install bathroom cabinets, depending on the complexity of the project. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include the time to build custom cabinets if you go that route. You can also expect the project to be on the lower end of the range if you hire a pro, as opposed to DIYing the task.

While most kitchen island installations do not require a permit, some situations do. Any major kitchen renovation will require one, and depending on your municipality, you might also need one if you install new plumbing or electrical work. 

Your kitchen island installation pro will be able to determine if you need a permit for your job, which can run you between $460 and $2,900, depending on the permits required.