Only install before if it is properly protected - not plastic but masonite or similar.

When we had ours done, the kitchen cabinets were put in first, next the floating floor then the kickboards (as what you said) and skirting.
If they said they'd do it all after and kickboards/skirting, I'd be concerned that to finish the edges they'd want to put molding around it to tidy the edge - a look I didn't want.

I've always been taught to put the floors UNDER the cabinets - for both a bathroom and kitchens. I'm just about to start a reno on a kitchen that had the "incorrect" way of laying the floor, and as my new kitchen has a slightly different foot print I'm having to re floor completely. Also Height issues as mentioned about. The same applies to tiled floors. Always lay down 1st.

I would try to ensure you never have a flood - from dishwasher or whatever. Our friends moved into their house with brand new floating wooden flooring. the dishwasher flooded and it all needed replacing - from kitchen right through to lounge. Including dining and family rooms - and yes, it did - you only needed to look to see the mess that resulted.

always put floor down first to allow future changes.

I would think twice about boards or laminated boards heard of two friends plumbing problems in last six months total kaos!

We wanted a floating floor in our new home.. It was recommended that we didn't have one due to probable buckling over larger areas due to changes of temperature. (New homes are very airtight.) Also the kitchen company didn't like putting floating floors in as their insurance company wouldn't cover the kitchen warranty. So we went with vinyl floor tiles which are stuck to the existing floor. I live in NZ.

Having gone through this stage i would always put the floorboards down first then kitchen etc., we didn’t have an option as our builder would not allow us to do it this way and I hate the extra skirting that goes on top of the edges...the scotia. I wanted clean straight finish and ended up with the extra skirting they looks c**p and am forever trying to convince hubbie to rip out the floor and extra skirting and tile it instead. PLEASE do it properly and put the floorboards down first otherwise you’ll regret it like I do.

I have engineered wide oak boards which are fixed to my subfloor so that the surface is more stable when I need to sand and refinish the boards down the track. My floors were laid prior to my kitchen cabinetry being installed and two years later I am very happy with how they are performing and the fact that I was able to make a slight adjustment to my island bench position after installation (which would not have been possible if the floor was not continuous beneath the joinery.) Hope this helps.

Hey Shirley looks good so far. I know your making the right decision by putting the flooring first. Trust me you won't regret it like I do. Make sure you show me pics when done.