Renovations You Should Complete Before Moving In

Getting the keys to your new home is an unforgettable moment you’ll cherish forever. It’s sure to fill you with excitement and anticipation, so much so, that you might be eager to load your moving van right away. Before you get ready to make the move, however, there might be several renovations you should complete while the house is still empty.

Complete all flooring projects, including tiling, refinishing, and carpeting, before you move anything into your home. Bathroom and kitchen remodels are much easier when the home is empty, as are major electrical projects. If you need to install or replace the HVAC system, do it before you are living in the home. Do pest control and fumigation work in advance, and don’t forget to change locks and upgrade your security.

If you’re in the process of buying a home, you probably already have a long list of renovations you want to complete. While you can finish many home improvement projects later, some may require immediate attention or are best completed before you move in all your stuff. Below is a list of common home renovations you should try to complete before you move into a new home.

14 Renovations You Should Complete Before Moving Into A Home

1. Floors

Any major floor renovations planned for your new home should be done before you move in. These projects aren’t always complicated, but they require a lot of space. If you wait until you move in, you will have to go room by room, constantly relocating furniture and closing off sections of your home to foot traffic. Doing it all before you move in can save time and sometimes money.

2. Ceilings

If you’re moving into an older home with unattractive popcorn ceilings, or a stained or otherwise unsightly ceiling, you should address it immediately. Completing ceiling renovations require space to move around and are incredibly messy. It’s easier to remove a popcorn ceiling and sand when you don’t have to worry about dust and paint getting on your furniture and valuables.

3. Interior Painting

You can paint the walls inside your home after you move in, but if you already have your colors and a vision in mind, it’s easier to do it before you move in. You won’t need to move any heavy furniture or worry about spilling paint. Air circulates better in empty rooms, and you don’t need to worry about sleeping with paint fumes. 

4. Locks And Security

After purchasing a home, remember to change the locks. You’d be surprised how many copies of your house key are floating around, between realtors and contractors. Never move in your belongings before getting new locks. Also, make all security upgrades and start any security monitoring subscriptions before you settle into your home.

5. Pest Control And Fumigation

The best way to avoid pest infestations is to take action before there’s a problem. Preventive pest control is smart, especially if you’re moving into a home that has been vacant for months (or years). An exterminator might want to fumigate your home or spray toxic chemicals. You don’t want to be in the home when these chemicals are present, especially if you have children or pets. Schedule pest control appointments before you move in your belongings.

6. Advanced Electrical Work

Many homeowners find they need electrical adjustments, either during the final inspection or based on their personal power needs. Whether certain rooms need more power or more outlets, it's best to complete major electrical projects when the house is empty. This type of work often requires many hours with reduced or no electricity, which can be inconvenient if you’re already living in the home.

7. Appliance Installation 

You can have new major appliances like a washer and dryer, oven range, or refrigerator installed after you've settled in, but there are several reasons you should have them delivered, installed, and connected before you move in. You use most of your major appliances every day. Moving in without something like a refrigerator or oven is less than ideal. Also, it’s much easier to move in and hook up large appliances in empty rooms rather than in spaces already filled with stuff.

8. Kitchen Or Bathroom Remodeling

People often joke that if your relationship can survive a bathroom or kitchen remodel, then it can survive anything. In other words, renovating a kitchen or bathroom while you’re living in the home is frustrating, time-consuming, and inconvenient for everyone involved.

If you know you want to make major changes to these rooms in your new home, do it before moving in if you can afford it. It’s often much faster, and sometimes cheaper, to complete remodels when the home is vacant, especially if you are hiring professionals for some of the labor.

9. Lighting Upgrades

You can easily change light fixtures, but if you want to add or significantly adjust your home’s lighting, it’s much easier to do so before you move in. Major lighting upgrades usually require electrical work, drilling, and the ability to move freely throughout the home. Save smaller projects and domestic finishing touches for later.

10. Carpeting

Adding wall-to-wall carpeting to any room in a home is easier and faster to install it when the room is clean, pristine, and empty.

11. Major Plumbing Work

Big plumbing jobs, including replacing pipes, is best done before you move in. Plumbing projects can be messy, wet, and difficult. If your home needs major plumbing work, don’t put it off, because the problem will likely get worse and cost more. Instead, make it easier on yourself by completing all major plumbing renovations before you move in.

12. HVAC Installation

Even when outdoor weather is cool and pleasant, installing an HVAC system can be difficult and all-consuming. If you need to install a unit in the summer or winter, your home may be unbearable to live in due to a lack of heat or air conditioning, and so it's a good idea to do it before you move in.

13. Fencing

For some homeowners, adding a fence is a project that can wait months or years. But if you have a dog or young child, or desperately need privacy from nearby neighbors, then you should install a fence before moving in. If your fencing needs are related to safety or creating an enclosure for pets, install it in advance to avoid potential issues when you first move in.

14. Deep Cleaning 

While cleaning isn’t a renovation, certain deep-cleaning projects can completely transform a home, especially an older one that was poorly maintained or vacant for years. Every home should get a deep scrub and polish before you move in your belongings, but some homes may need a detailed, professional cleaning.

Final Notes On Renovations To Complete Before You Move In

When you buy a new home, you probably imagine yourself moving in as soon as possible. You’ll slowly unpack boxes, order some food, and start making new memories with your family. Before you start loading up your boxes, however, you should probably complete some renovations.

Tackle all flooring, ceiling, and plumbing projects before you move anything in. Change the locks and update your security, and schedule fumigation and pest control. Do major electrical, lighting, and HVAC upgrades, along with bathroom and kitchen remodels. It’s easier to paint your home’s interior when it’s empty, and always remember to perform a deep clean before unloading your belongings.

Related Guides:

• Mistakes To Avoid When Moving Into A New Home
• Renovations That Often Decrease A Home’s Value
• Signs That It’s Time To Replace Your Roof