I had my hardwood floor completely finished before the cabs went in.

There was no damage from the cab installers or electricians - the kids, however, are a different story. :)

Doc

Even though our contractor used a cardboard type covering on our hardwood floors, he still insisted that the floors be the last thing done in our kitchen remodel.

My GC said it was standard to do the floors before the cabinets. We had three finish coats on the floors and the first two were done prior to cabinet installation. Once the kitchen was finished, they came in and did the final finish coat.

Same here. Floors were done first, with the final coat after the kitchen was finished.

Our GC put the base cabinets in, then tiled, including where the frig, range, and dw will go.

Finish the floor and cover, then install the cabinets, especially for wood floors. The wood floors need to be sanded between the finish coats which means you would have to wrap the cabinets to keep the sanding dust off

Floors were finished after cabinets were in for us - but we were refinishing our floor and not replacing - not sure if that makes a difference.

Ours was done like poohpups - sanded, 2 coats, then 3rd coat is after cabs are installed. He had asked us to "disappear" for a night or 2 while the final coat dried. guess we'll be going thru that process again due to repairs to water damage :(

Ours were also like Pooh's. Install, sanded, stained, and two top coats. Then cabs went in the kitchen and DR. (We installed new unfinished wood floors in entry, FR, LR, DR, mudroom, and kitchen as part of a whole house reno.) Very last item before we moved in was the last top coat.

I did cover the floors with Ram board (like thin cardboard on a roll, but water resistant) after the two top coats. The inspector, carpenters installing a house full of trim and doors, electrician, cab maker, wood floor company, painting company doing trim and doors,and plumber were all impressed with the board. All those guys and tools tromping in and out over months did zero damage to the floors.

"The wood floors need to be sanded between the finish coats which means you would have to wrap the cabinets to keep the sanding dust off"

Screening between coats of finish produces far less debris than actual sanding.

Yes, thanks for the different perspectives.

I've decided to have them finished prior to cabinet install and protect them. I am familiar with the RAM board, it is a great product and I have some so that is what I will use.