Why can't he just grout out to where the cabinets will be on top of the floor and save the remaining grout till later? If you have a fridge or dishwasher leak, all the water will channel into the un-grouted spaces. If it was grouted and sealed, or a urethane grout or similar used, most or all of the water would stay standing on the floor rather than soaking the sub floor below. It sounds like he is just being lazy.

Is there a reason to do drywall after the tile is down? Drywall first seems to be more common.

Grout absolutely makes a difference in terms of a leak. He’s an idiot. Thank him for his opinion and tell him you want the entire floor grouted. As to when to do what, have it done in the order you prefer, then ask him to protect the floors with ram board.

I've never heard of laying tile or hardwood down first. We have built several homes (granted, new construction, but is it really any different?) and tile and hardwood is done last....they tile to the cabinets, and into the space where the stove will go etc. The trim/cabinet subs will or should put a quarter round molding at the base of your cabinets to finish the look. Even with Ram Board? I wouldn't want all the subs walking on my newly tiled floor.

He's working for you, and while you will take his suggestions, ultimately it's your decision. We also do flooring (hardwood or tile) under all cabinets. Then you can cover with the thick brown paper aka Ram Board.

My customers get what, when, where, and why, I keep how and who. Always. Or here's your money back.

The tile man is not an idiot. Every thing he said makes perfect sense.

I'll tell you one thing he won't get. He won't get an angry customer complaining that the plumber spilled purple pipe primer on the floor grout and her expecting him to come out and fix it for free. Or having the waiver he made her sign thrown in his face. He's not getting that either.

I can see him not wanting to tile under the cabinets. We didn't. But the OP said he wants to tile and not grout under them. That makes no sense. If he is tiling, then it should be grouted.

The difference between grouting and not grouting the floor under the cabinets is actually a big deal if you have a leak. In terms of protecting your subfloor there’s no problem. You have the subfloor covered by ditra or some other waterproof uncoupling membrane, then you have mortar and tile. You’re not going to damage your subfloor without grout; but without grout, if you have a leak, instead of encountering a flat, smooth, impenetrable surface it will spill into the cracks between tiles where it will take much longer to evaporate (If it’s a small leak) and be more likely to harbor mold and odors or simply be much harder to clean (if it’s a big, remove the cabinet leak). It’s just the kind of thing that drives me mad. He’s 90% there and wants to stop because that’s how he’s done it before. Just finish it properly.

Thanks for the advice all--I put my foot down and he's going to grout the entire floor after the drywall is up but before we do cabinets.

Grout is not "impenetrable". Not by a mile.

It is still a mile better than tile sitting there with no grout.

Shouldn't the toe kicks rest on top of the tile??

I've learned thru experience that it is better to have the flooring (whichever type) cover the entire floor and the cabinets sit on top. Little more expensive but so worth it for repairs remods and reconfigurations down the road.

Grout is a heck of a lot more impenetrable than no grout, Joe, and you know it.

Im glad it’s working out the way you want it to Liz. I hope you post some pictures when it’s done.

IMO the whole floor should be in after the drywall and grouted too Grout is not waterproof and no matter what if you have a flood with tile you will have damage to the subfloor since there are always spaces around walls that are not water proof and water will find a way. I like my cabinets installed on top of the flooring for a nice clean look with no quarter round . I can un derstand his wanting to wait to grout the rest of the floor I guess but honestly my workers just lay down some cardboard like they would with a wood floor so no damage happens.

I would worry about the floor being damaged without grout during the heavy traffic of construction. The grout helps make a continuous surface without edges to catch and chip or even knock loose. If it were me I'd want it grouted and sealed and something on top to protect. I'd drywall (and mud, tape, and at least prime), then floor, then cabinets. Good luck!

Are you expecting a leak? Do you go on extended vacations that you wouldn’t notice a leak for weeks? Is your plumber licensed and competent? Do you live in a flood zone? I think your tile guy is correct. Leaks happen granted, but water will still end up going to the wall behind the cabinets, grout or no grout. Unless you waterproof under the tile and up the wall too, water finds a way. I think your tile guy might walk away from this job or say he’s too busy. He probably has had experiences before that make him say it’s just not worth his time, Joesph and your tile guy is correct in this case imho.

Why not just put down cardboard or something else to protect the floor while the construction finishes.

So he was an idiot. I’ll be honest with you, VINDICATION IS SWEET! I’m sorry it happened but I’m glad it’s all fixable. Best of luck with your new tile guy. Make sure he uses a membrane!

eam44, do you mean something like Ditra as opposed to concrete board? That's not a bad idea.