Definitely uppers. I'd hold off on filling the lowers until the granite is in. That can be grubby.

Definitely wait until the granite goes in and your cooktop and/or sink is installed. I had my granite installed yesterday, but the cooktop doesn't fit right so they have to come back and cut some more. The dust they made yesterday was horrible and I'm not looking forward to cleaning up all that dust again. It even got into my drawer slides which my contractors had to remove and clean with an air gun.

Check with your fabricator, too. One of the ones we got a bid from actually requires that the cabinets be empty when they install, or there's an additional fee charged.

Thanks for the replies! This is all new to us! I'll probably hold off until it's mostly done - it's not like I'll be able to actually use the kitchen until the plumbing/appliances are hooked up!

I have 22 boxes of cabinets (14 of them are huge!) and a range and dishwasher in my dining room right now, and the boxes are making me crazy! It probably doesn't help that I'm 32 weeks pregnant and majorly nesting! I just want everything in it's place!

I think that we're doing a fairly modest remodel. I can't imagine doing a really big months-long renovation!

Thanks again!

Unless you're tall, don't even bother with the uppers if you're that pregnant! :)

Good luck!

Also, it's been recommended that blue tape is placed on the glides(slides) so that countertop or other dust doesn't muck up the sliding operation. Sounds right to me.