There are 2 schools of thought on floor or cabs first. I'm in the floor first school, especially with tile. The reason is, you want a smooth transition between the appliances and floors for when the appliances need to be pulled out.(cleaning, repair, leaks). You can achieve the same with putting the appliances up on a substrate like plywood so it's even with the tile. However, I'd rather have an impervious material like tile under my appliances. It's what I have in my old kithcen and what I'd do again.

We've built a couple of our homes and the flooring always went in first before the cabinetry. Flooring - whether it was wood or tile - was run under the cabinets. The flooring was then temporarily covered when the cabinet install got underway.

All Demo first.

Why? Slate is notorious for flaking and softness. So I would try to finish off all demo before installing it.

Personally, I would have them finish rough-ins and drywall, then install flooring, cabinets, fixtures, appliances countertops, finish plumbing(in that order).

I am by no means an expert, but here is our story.

We are installing a cork floor. We are painting the existing cabinets and having 2 pantry cabinets added on the other side of the kitchen flanking the refrigerator, as well as replacing the island.

Originally we were going to put the floor down first, under the island, and the appliances. Then we realized that the stove (36" Capital range), refrigerator (48" Thermador) would sink in the cork eventually. And it was pointed out to us by our realtor/neighbor that the island should be the same height as the counters on the perimeter--people do notice the 1/2" difference in height. Oh great--cut down the new cabinets? Of course we also realized that the granite could possibly cause the island to sink as well.

So we decided to wait until the end to install the floor. We have our new pantry cabinets, fridge, and stove all on 1/2" plywood. This way if we ever have to pull them out they will be level with our floor. I painted the plywood the color of the floor, just in case it shows in the slightest bit, I don't want it to catch someone's attention.

For us,this is certainly the way to go. Just not having to worry about the floor during the whole process is a great bonus as well.

Good luck--I just hate figuring out the "order of things", it's been the thing that has driven me nuts from the very start.

I read one handyman person who said the last thing done is what is most expensive to repair or replace.

I read one handyman person who said the last thing done is what is most expensive to repair or replace.

We always put the flooring under the cabinets if at all possible. Sounds like you're already planning on doing that & for all the reasons above, that is the right thing to do.

Good Luck with your project.

Here is a link that might be useful: granite countertops