Countertops are typically installed after flooring, cabinets, and appliances. This is true for both new builds, and remodeling projects. Since countertops sit directly on the cabinets, the cabinetry must be installed prior to the final measurements, fabrication, and installation.
Please note that countertops are usually installed at the end of any remodeling, so if you're purchasing new flooring, appliances or cabinets, those things should be installed first.
After Your New Countertops are Installed
For best results, it's generally recommended to wait 24 hours after countertop installation before setting up the sink. (Make sure to have a backup plan to keep your bathroom or kitchen supplied with water for those 24 hours.)
You should store them where you use them. Three rules of thumb are to put frequently used appliances on the countertop or the lowest shelf of an upper cabinet for easy reach; rarely used appliances should go to the top of the cabinets; and never-used items should be sold or donated.
Can you put new countertops on old cabinets? Technically yes, you can put fresh counters on your existing cabinets. No different than being able to modify your popular kitchen cabinet handles on old cabinetry.
A countertop needs to be installed before the backsplash is put on the walls above the countertop.
If functionality is the most important part of your kitchen, buy appliances first. If you're remodeling your kitchen for style and spaciousness, buy cabinets first. Either way, measure twice so you only have to buy once.
If you have the space beside your existing cabinets to place a dishwasher comfortably, then there is nothing stopping you from doing that. All you really need is access to a water line and drain as well as an electrical connection (or the ability to install an electrical connection).
Installing flooring before your cabinets is the best choice for most hardwood floors. When professionals install floors then cabinets, it's easier to get everything to standard heights. It's also a safer installation process for your cabinets since you won't risk any damage to them as professionals install the floors.
Sometimes, kitchen units can be very heavy (and often unbalanced) and put huge amounts of pressure on areas of your floor. Over time this could cause the floor to buckle and break. By laying your floor last, it means that there's no chance of it being scratched or dented by workmen or the units.
While painting your walls, you might be worried that freshly painted cabinets will be damaged while installing a new counter. So yes, you should paint the walls before installing countertops. Before installing the counters, avoid painting, tiling, or wallpapering the area above the countertop.
Appliances and Fixtures
The dishwasher inserts below the counter so it doesn't alter the countertop configuration. The same holds true for a trash compactor and other under-counter appliances.
First, during tile installation, leave a small space between the tiles and the wood surface or countertop… no more than 1/8 of an inch.
The one spot where caulk, not grout, should be used is the seam between the countertop and the backsplash. The right material for that is a top-quality silicone caulk. The Tile Council of America suggests a 1/8-in. -wide caulk joint at the seam.
Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall. In most cases, the space behind the fridge is not visible anywhere in the kitchen. There is no need to spend money on labor and materials for a place you will not see. Do put a backsplash behind your cooktop and hood vent.
Unless the sink was formed as a continuous component of the countertop, it can be removed and replaced easily – whether it's undermount or drop-in. Though, you will need to make sure that the replacement sink is suited for the same size hole that you already have in the countertop.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are among the most affordable varieties and come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including designs that mimic granite and other stone. Natural stone tiles are pricier than ceramic but are much more affordable than slab granite or marble.
Ideally, you should carry out some decorating in a kitchen before the units are fitted. Maybe not the finish coat, but certainly some. I like to mist coat any bare plaster before the kitchen installation.
It is best to paint the kitchen cabinets before you paint the walls. In fact, we suggest painting the cabinets before you even finalize your choice for the wall color.
Drywall, which provides a smooth, flush wall throughout the house, is also beneficial when installed behind the stove and cabinets. While it's possible to cut and install drywall later, to fit around the cabinets after they're in place, you won't get the same professional results.
If due to design circumstances (for example an odd appliance height or construction anomaly) your total flooring height will need to be elevated and finished higher than normal—2 inches or more—consider installing flooring before putting in the kitchen cabinets and appliances.
They tell you not to install any floating floors under appliances only because you are tacking them down by weight and they could possibly fail to expand in any 2D direction if you lay the planks down with appliances on both ends, so they may tent.