The laminate/backsplash detailer was here yesterday:

[babylonsister]

I had only wanted to backsplash behind the stove top and a corresponding strip on the other side of the kitchen because I didn't want the dark backsplash (slate) make the kitchen (which is a galley/shotgun style with the door out leading to the garage) look any darker, especially with the dark appliances.
Well, I got talked out of that because of all the seams that would have to be made. So now it's backsplash all the way around.:scared:

As for the laminate, I was informed all cabinets need to be emptied as they have to replace all the plywood underneath, which I didn't know was necessary. Is this normal? I don't mind emptying cabinets, and was told that there'd be too much old, lumpy glue on the old stuff to try to use what's existing.
This does make sense to me as the old stuff is circa 1976ish, but I just would like to know that I'm not getting ripped off.
Thanks for any insight!