How to Cut Tile Near Kitchen Cabinets

Measure the thickness of your furring strips. Determine the number of strips required to achieve the desired spacing from the cabinet's kick plate. For example, if your strips are 1/4-inch thick and you want to cut 1/2 inch away from the plate, install two strips.

Measure the length of the area that you will cut, using the tape measure and pencil to mark the length on the furring strips. Cut the strips to size with the circular saw. Set the strips on edge and butt them against the face of the cabinet's kick plate. Fasten the strips to the kick plate with a hammer and thin finish nails every 12 to 18 inches.

Mount a tile blade to the toe-kick saw. Tilt the body of the saw up and the blade down. While holding the saw at this angle, slip the blade beneath the cabinet's toe kick. Tilt the body down while pressing the blade's guard forward and flush against the furring strips.

Lift the saw blade away from the tile floor. Depress the saw's trigger and allow the blade to reach full running speed. Butt the blade's guard against the furring strips and lower the spinning blade into the tile. Draw the blade across the furring strips from corner to corner.

Release the saw's trigger and allow the blade to spin to a stop. Lift the blade from the tile, tilt the saw's body up and slide the blade away from the cabinet. Pry the furring strips and nails from the kick plate, using the hammer. Shatter and pry the cut portion of tile from the subfloor, using the chisel and mallet.