Q: My husband Tim and I just bought our first fixer-upper two weeks ago in Fort Worth, Texas. It is our second home and we hope to make it our last. Falling in love with our home was the easy part, but the thing is we just don’t know where to start. Should I mention that we have a 19 month old little ball of energy “helping” us? I know you don’t know what our house looks like nor do you know what our plans are for it. I won’t bore you with the details, I just want to know if you have a post about getting started; about how to go about making a plan so that we can go about this process efficiently. Or maybe I’m over thinking it and we need to just dive in? – Amanda
That big “where do I begin?” question comes up all the time — in emails like Amanda’s and in comments on posts. Since we’re at the beginning of another project, here’s our process: six questions we ask ourselves after moving into a new house that help us prioritize a to-do list and move forward without getting overwhelmed.
#1. What’s necessary for us to safely inhabit this house?
If you bought a fixer-upper or discovered surprises during inspection, this is the first thing to ask. What’s broken, unsafe, or so deteriorated it must be fixed before you move in? Mold, broken windows, an unsafe heating system, or pests in the attic are examples of issues that should go to the top of the list. In our most recent move the must-fix items included a failing furnace, dangerous trees that needed removal, rotting siding that required repair and paint, and an actively leaking roof. These projects aren’t glamorous, and some are expensive, but they’re essential for safety and peace of mind.
#2. What would be easier to do now, rather than after we’ve moved in/unpacked?
Many projects are easier in an empty house — flooring, painting, bathroom or kitchen work. But large renovations before moving in aren’t always realistic, and sometimes you want to live in the space before locking in every design decision. Prioritize projects that are hard to do around furniture or that will be disruptive if done later. For us this time, we removed musty carpet upstairs, sprayed blue trim white, and installed hardwood before move-in day because those jobs would have been a pain with furniture in place. If you’re uncertain about a decision or material, it may be smarter to postpone that project and start with something you’re sure about.
One practical tip: pick tasks that are both helpful and ones you feel confident about long-term. We’ve learned to live in a house for a while before choosing major finishes like kitchen layouts or wall colors — it leads to smarter decisions and fewer regrets.
#3. What will make us feel comfortable and “at home”?
There’s usually a phase after moving in when the place still feels like someone else’s house. Big renovations help, but smaller, quicker changes often make the biggest difference in how settled you feel. Replace dated curtains, remove old carpeting, or paint a single wall to make the home feel like yours. For us, painting the first wall in a new house was always a turning point — it made the house feel officially ours and gave momentum to more projects. Also think about setting up a few key spaces right away: a child’s room, your bedroom, or a cozy corner with a favorite chair and lamp. Being able to relax at the end of a long day helps morale and makes the process more enjoyable.
#4. What can we afford?
Money will always drive the pace. If you have a long list of wants but limited funds, prioritize what you can realistically pay for now. After tackling essential inspection items that drained our savings, we focused on low-cost projects that improved the house and kept momentum: stripping wallpaper, painting trim and a bathroom, removing an old shower door, ripping up carpet in a sunroom, and painting a front door. These smaller wins helped us feel like progress was happening without breaking the bank and gave us time to save for larger projects.
#5. What’s quick and easy?
If you’re still unsure where to begin, start with quick wins. A new shower curtain, better drawer organization, switching out hardware, or hanging a few meaningful photos won’t transform the house overnight, but those small improvements add up and create a sense of progress. Completing a few small, affordable tasks often motivates you to tackle the bigger ones.
#6. What will make us the happiest?
At the end of the day, choose projects that bring you joy. Sometimes the most meaningful moves aren’t the most practical — they’re the ones that help you relax into the space. On our first night in a new house, Sherry started arranging items on the built-ins. It wasn’t crucial, but having one tidy, personal corner helped her feel at home amid the chaos. Do what makes you smile: it’ll keep you motivated and make the process feel less like endless work and more like creating a home.
Ultimately, it’s hard to get this wrong. Any progress is good progress. The right starting point varies by person, house, and circumstance, but by asking these six questions — safety, ease of doing now, comfort, budget, quick wins, and happiness — you can build a realistic, motivating plan. How do you decide what to start next? We’d love to hear your approach — we’ve certainly got our own list to work through!