It can be hard for a house to feel like a home before you walk through the front door with a box full of belongings. Because of that, you may feel odd doing any work on the space before you officially move in. But there are some home improvements best done before moving in, when the house is empty of people and possessions. Here are a few examples.
Interior Painting
Anyone who has ever painted the inside of a house will tell you that trying to avoid getting paint on your furniture can prove challenging. The best time to paint the house is when you don’t have to worry about furniture. But spilled paint isn’t the only danger associated with paint.
VOCs
Many paints release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into the air. They can linger for days or weeks after painting. These compounds can exacerbate allergies, cause headaches, and even trigger breathing issues in young children. If you paint before you move into the house, you give the house a chance to air out before you settle in.
Note On Cracked Paint
If you’re moving into an older house with cracked paint, be cautious about removing old paint. There’s a chance that your paint may have lead in it, which will disperse into the air if you remove it. Either purchase a lead testing kit or talk to a contractor about having it tested.
Redoing Flooring
You have to move a lot of furniture into the house when you move in. And if you’re planning on redoing the floors, you’ll have to move it all out again. Here are a few floor improvements to tackle before moving in.
Carpet
Naturally, if you plan on taking out or putting in carpet, you should do it before moving in. But even if you don’t want to change your carpet, you can deep clean it. Deep cleaning will help you eliminate any allergens. And since no one will be in the house yet, you’ll give the carpet a chance to dry.
Hardwood
The same idea can apply to hardwood flooring, but you can go the extra mile and try refinishing the wood floor. This will make the flooring look new and allow you to adjust the color of the wood to work with your furniture. Plus, wood-stain fumes, like paint fumes, can also be harmful. Make sure your home is well ventilated after you’re done refinishing.