A planning timeline
Adjust the lengths to your own dates. A short gap needs more things to start early.
- Before closing
- Walk the house twice at different times of day and write down every smell you notice and where.
- Day of closing
- Open every cabinet, closet and appliance. Smell first, then photograph anything stained or damp.
- Day one
- Ventilate and run the system fan. Stop adding fragrance so the real baseline can show.
- Days two and three
- Isolation tests: close off rooms, run the system with and without the fan, and pour water into dry drains.
- Days three to five
- Schedule any source repairs or cleaning, and confirm the order with whoever is doing the work.
- After treatment
- Allow time to air out and re-check the house cold before furniture arrives.
- Moving day
- Hold soft goods and boxes until you have re-tested the main rooms once more.
Why order matters
Treating air before fixing a source wastes the window. Carpet removal, trap repairs and duct cleaning all disturb dust and smells, so they should come before any final cleaning, sealing or airborne treatment. Painting comes last.
A short gap also means unfavorable surprises show up late. If a smell turns out to come from under flooring or in a wall, you may have to decide between delaying the move and accepting some disruption. Having a decision rule ready helps: set the day by which a smell must be improving, and agree on what you will do if it is not.
Decisions to make before closing
- Who will schedule work, and what will you do if a provider cannot start on your timeline?
- Which rooms are the highest priority, such as bedrooms and the kitchen?
- Where will soft goods stay until the smell is cleared?
- What is the latest date that treatment must start to leave time for airing?
- What written scope will you ask for from any provider?
Questions for the seller or listing agent
- Were any odor issues disclosed, and when did they start?
- Was anything replaced, such as carpet, pad or drywall, and why?
- Was the home treated before listing, and what was done?
- Were any appliances or fixtures left unused for long periods?
Common questions
Should I wait for the smell to fade on its own?
Only if you have confirmed it is a curing or airing smell. Source smells generally do not fade by themselves.
General information for Highlands Ranch, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.