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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.

Using a shim or another type of self-leveling feet on the bottom edge of your cabinet bases will help to level them out if you’re installing them on a less-than-level surface. To make this process easier, you can add your shims before attaching the bases to your cabinets while they’re still light and easy to move around.

The cost to install a kitchen island can range from $900 to $6,500, with an average price of around $4,800 for most homeowners. The final cost depends on whether you choose a prefabricated or custom-built option. It is generally cheaper to buy a prefabricated island than to build one from scratch. A budget-friendly prefabricated cart can cost between $150 and $900, while a permanent prefabricated stationary island costs from $900 to $5,000. Custom-built kitchen islands average $4,800 but can cost $10,000 or more, depending on factors like materials, size, design complexity, and accessibility.

There are some tips when hiring a cabinet installer that’ll help prepare you to create a new space. When installing new cabinets, keep the following in mind:

• Hire the same cabinet installer professional to measure, design, and install the cabinets, as opposed to jumping between companies. 

• Discuss what types of cabinets the installer offers, including stock, semi-custom, and custom, to give yourself options.

• Discuss financing options with your installer, as this project can be expensive depending on your chosen cabinets.

• Discuss your cabinet installer’s prior experience, including asking for photos of previous projects.