When my house was built, the contractor put down the wrong subfloor for linoleum (top grade throughout the whole house). I had just moved everything in when I started to notice lumps in the flooring. It wasn't too bad to begin with so we agreed on a reduction in the cost of the house. But now you can see every nail and it has not only hard bubbles but also air bubbles. Any way to solve this without ripping up the whole floor and replacing the subfloor? Would all the cabinets have to be taken out if the subfloor has to be replaced?

Welcome to AMHD.

Sounds more like the plywood was was not prepped correctly for linoleum. Nail holes and seams should have been filled.

Some types of lino have to be rolled with light weight floor roller to secure to adhesive and remove air.

U do not have to remove cabinets to remove lino. Cut flush to kick plate. After new lino installed, use cove base to finish off at kick plate.

Chuck