How do you know it's the shoe molding and not the floor itself?

Did the flooring squeak before the cabinets were installed, or was the flooring laid down after the cabinets? If cabinets were installed first, the board end/s possibly could be rubbing against the molding or the cabinet as the floor flexes. Use a cardboard tube (one end to ear and other end to floor) or a touch test to narrow the offending area down to the immediate vicinity producing the noise.

However, I'm a bit dubious about the shoe moulding squeaking. If the squeaks are that consistent, have one person step to make squeak while the other gently touches along the molding. Other should be able to feel the slight vibration of the squeak if it's caused by the floor rubbing along the molding. I'm a bit more inclined to think the squeak is caused by the floorboards flexing down to a slight low place in the underlayment. If you have a warranty, ask the builder to check it out... frankly, I think I'd ask even if it wasn't under warranty.

Cabinets were installed first then floor then shoe molding.
I did not notice any squeaking when the floor was there by itself and the floor installer did leave a slight space as he approached the cabinets so I don't hink its that. I will try your suggestion to narrow down the issue. Thanks!

We had more of a cracking or popping sound around the perimeter of our room where the hardwoods meet the baseboard. We were told by the builder that it was caused by the sealant or glue. We just walked through and stepped really hard all around the rooms to get them to crack and we no longer have any noises. We haven't noticed them where the cabinets went in because they were finished off site, but is it possible that this is what your problem is?

We moved in last March and our floors (hickory) popped and cracked like popcorn at times. I do think it takes awhile for them to acclimate - it seems like it was most noticable last summer. It has subsided greatly since. I think if you live with them awhile you will get a better idea if you have a real issue or normal aging etc of the components. I live in Ohio- similar climate to yours- I would give it a good year, all 4 seasons of heating and cooling and you will have a good idea.

How are you enjoying your home??

PD

Interesting Crazyhouse6 and Ponydoc because once you said that it was more of a cracking or popping I thought YES thats what I meant. Its not really a squeak. Thanks so much, we will give it some time.
We are really enjoying our home...very nice to just play games with the kids at night instead of having to go to the 'house'! Now we are in the 'house'!

I had a similar experience after the base shoe moldings were installed on the glued-down new engineered wood flooring. The floor would make a significant amount of popping/crackling noise when walked closer to the walls in the room. The installer then wedged a really thin putty knife under the molding thus forming a clearance which eliminated the noise completely.

I had a similar experience after the base shoe moldings were installed on the glued-down new engineered wood flooring. The floor would make a significant amount of popping/crackling noise when walked closer to the walls. The installer then wedged a really thin putty knife underneath the molding to make a clearance which eliminated the noise completely.