fitting a kitchen should i tile floor first or after?

[str]

I can see the point of tiling the entire floor prior to fitting the kitchen - not a massive difference in cost in paying for more tiles and will give one finished level, so need need to muck about when installing or even worse, removing appliances from under worktops.

I guess the main reason why the floor finish (tiles or otherwise) is around the units is that its left till last so that the floor finish isn't damaged when moving the carcases around/fitting them!

 

[Symptoms]

Of course there's no excuse for badly planned tile layouts or for carcases poorly positioned. Any careful (IMO - good) installer will have worked out center-lines and where the tiles run and where the cuts are in relation to the carcases (and sight-lines from worktop and door edges). Again a decent installer will lay temp protection boards (hardboard) over a finished floor prior to the units going in to prevent damage.

A couple of reasons why some tilers might only tile up to the units is cost, in terms of materials and time. Scheduling (project managing) is also a consideration ... the kitchen fitters can't get access 'till the floor is set (delay) ... less of an issue if the tiler goes in last. Anyway, IMO it is best practice to tile the whole floor first ... we've being doing it this way since the early 1970s

 

[kev3]

Right so its more hassle trying to set out without the units,
there's extra cost of materials(more tiles)
there's extra cost supplying and fitting protection
there's delay for the fitters waiting for adhesive/grout drying times,
and presumably the tiler's got to make a return visit to tile the splashback after the worktops are fitted.

So why is it best practice to tile first??