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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.

The cost of new flooring materials depends on the type of flooring, its quality, installation method, and additional features. While some options, like solid hardwood flooring, may be more expensive than carpet initially, others, such as vinyl and laminate, offer more budget-friendly alternatives. Ultimately, the overall expense can be influenced by factors like longevity, maintenance requirements, and desired aesthetic, making it essential to consider the long-term value of each material.

For rooms with an even number of feet (10 x 12, for example), you can technically just multiply them together to get the number of square feet in the room (10 feet x 12 feet = 120 sq. ft.). For irregularly shaped rooms or areas that aren’t even square feet, converting to inches will be your best bet for an accurate measurement.

Sheet vinyl is among the most affordable and durable flooring options, with prices as low as $0.50 per square foot and a lifespan of 10 to 20 years. Other inexpensive and durable choices include standard vinyl plank ($2 to $7 per square foot), which mimics wood or stone and is great for high-traffic areas. Laminate flooring ($1 to $6 per square foot), linoleum, carpeting, and concrete can also be cost-effective options, with prices starting around $2 per square foot.