Q: My husband Tim and I just bought our first fixer-upper two weeks ago in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s our second home and we hope it will be our last. Falling in love with the house was easy, but we don’t know where to begin. Should I mention we have a 19‑month‑old little ball of energy “helping” us? You don’t know what our house looks like or what our plans are, and I won’t bore you with details — I just want to know if you have a guide for getting started: how to make a plan so we can work efficiently. Or are we overthinking it and should we just dive in? — Amanda
That “where do I begin?” question comes up a lot, in comments and in emails like Amanda’s. Since we’re at the beginning of another project ourselves, here’s a streamlined approach we use to prioritize a to‑do list after moving into any fixer‑upper. These six questions have helped us focus on safety, comfort, budget, and momentum so the work feels manageable and meaningful.
#1. What must be fixed so we can live here safely? Safety and habitability come first. If inspection issues or visible problems affect health or basic function, they belong at the top of the list. Think: mold, broken windows, nonworking or unsafe HVAC, structural rot, active roof leaks, or infestations. These jobs may not be glamorous, but they’re essential — and delaying them can make later projects harder or riskier.
On our last move, the must‑fix items included a failing furnace, a few dangerous trees, significant rot and siding issues that needed repair and repainting, and a leaking roof. Tackling those items made the house safe and stopped further damage, even though they were costly and not very glamorous.
#2. What’s easier to do now, before moving in? Many projects are simpler in an empty house: flooring, full bathroom or kitchen guts, or extensive painting. If you can reasonably complete key messy projects before furniture arrives, it can save time and stress. That said, sometimes living in the space first helps you better understand how you use it — which cabinetry layout or where a doorway should be placed — so don’t feel pressured to finish everything immediately.
For us, the decision to remove musty upstairs carpet, spray the blue/mauve trim white, and install hardwoods before move‑in made sense because we knew exactly what flooring we wanted and those jobs would be much harder once the house was furnished. If you’re unsure about a finish or color, it’s often better to postpone that choice until you’ve had time to live in the space and see how it feels.
#3. What will help us feel at home quickly? Big renovations take time. Small, strategic changes can make a new house feel like yours right away. Swapping dated curtains, removing old carpet in key rooms, or painting even a single wall can create a sense of ownership and lift morale. For us, painting that first wall in a new house was the moment we stopped feeling like renters and started feeling like owners.
Practical comfort matters too. Set up a child’s room or make your bedroom livable from day one so everyone can sleep and recharge. Sometimes the best early projects are those that let you relax and enjoy the house amid the chaos of moving.
#4. What can we afford right now? Money limits choices. If inspection items or urgent repairs drain your savings, pick a few affordable projects to keep momentum and improve the house without breaking the bank. Small wins — stripping wallpaper, painting trim, removing an outdated shower door, or painting a front door — reduce visual clutter and help you feel in control while you rebuild savings for larger renovations.
#5. What’s quick and easy? When you’re stuck, choose a series of fast, low‑cost tasks. Replacing a shower curtain, organizing a drawer, installing new lighting or changing cabinet knobs won’t revolutionize a space, but cumulative small updates can transform rooms and keep motivation high.
#6. What will make us happiest? In the end, prioritize projects that bring you joy. Logic and budget are important, but so is doing something that makes you smile. On our first night in a new house, Sherry started arranging items on the built‑ins. It wasn’t crucial, but it gave her a peaceful corner to focus on and made the house feel more like home. Those simple, satisfying touches can have a big emotional impact.
There’s no single “right” starting point that works for everyone. The best approach balances safety, budget, practicality, and the projects that help you settle in and enjoy the space. Whatever you choose, doing something — even a small task — gets you moving forward. How do you decide what to tackle next when you move into a fixer‑upper? We’re curious to hear the questions you ask yourself when building your to‑do list, because we’ve got plenty to work through too.