Interior
General
- Clean your home from top to bottom
- Put all valuables in a safe place
- Put deodorizers in each room
- Pre-pack and store anything you don’t need – including trinkets & out of season clothes, to keep the house free of clutter
- Add a few colourful plants to make the place seem livelier
- Wardrobes and cupboards – clean out all surplus items and clothing and arrange items neatly
Walls
- Fill in cracks or holes
- Repaint, re-wallpaper, or touch up, as necessary
Kitchen
- Ensure appliances are in good working order
- Clean all the appliances from top to bottom – don’t forget to clean behind or underneath
- Clean outside and inside of all cabinets
- Repair cabinets & cabinet doors, as necessary
- Clean the countertops & repair chips or holes, if possible
- Clean the grout in any tiling
- Make sure sink & disposal are in good working order – fix any drips, leaks, etc.
- Clean fans & vent hoods
- Clean & wax the kitchen floor to make it as bright as possible
- Scrub the sink & surrounding area
Ceilings
- Check for water stains. Make sure all leaks are repaired, and patch the ceiling, if necessary
- Fill in any cracks, and repaint or touch up paint as needed
Carpets
- Make sure carpets are in good condition. Stretch or re-tack if needed.
- Clean the carpets
Bathrooms
- Make sure the faucets are in good working order and that the sink and tub drain freely
- Clean everything thoroughly, including the mirrors, sink, tub, and toilet – remove stains and make everything shine!
- Make sure countertops and cabinets are in good working condition
- Ensure taps are in good working order and replace if necessary
Doors
- Lubricate any squeaky doors
- Re-hang doors that stick, sag, or don’t close properly
- Make sure all the locks work
- Re-paint or touch up paint as necessary
Windows
- Make sure all the windows open properly
- Clean windows, window frames, drapes, shutters, etc.
- Fix or replace any faulty window locks or catches
- Clear the window sills
Fireplace and Gas Heaters
- Clear out all the ash & soot. Clean the fireplace thoroughly
- Make sure the screen & tiling are in good condition
- Clean gas heaters and ensure they are in good working order
Garage
- Clean out the garage – put everything away
- Make sure there is sufficient lighting – replace missing bulbs, or add in a floor lamp if necessary
- Sweep the floor and all surfaces
- Clean the door, light switch and entrance thoroughly
- Make sure the garage door works
- Try to remove any stains on the concrete
Exterior
General
- Wash off any dirt or mould – use a water blaster, if necessary
- Apply a fresh coat of paint, if necessary
- Fill in any obvious holes or cracks
- Wash the windows
- Clean the front door, walls, porches, decks, and patios, and make sure they’re free from clutter
- Fix broken lights/lamps and replace light bulbs, as necessary
- Check gutters and downpipes to make sure they are clear and functioning properly
- Inspect the roof for leaks, missing tiles, sags, etc. While you’re up there, make sure the chimney is in good shape
- Ensure the front entrance is clean tidy and welcoming with easy access and a new doormat
Landscaping
- Clear any rubbish away from the front and back yards
- Make sure the area in front of your property is clean and free of debris
- Kill or pull up any weeds
- Trim any overgrown trees and bushes
- Sweep off pathways
- Mow and edge the lawn
- Adding mulch to planting beds and around trees is an inexpensive but effective way of freshening the look of the yard
- Paint or stain any fences, decks or garden furniture
- Arrange outdoor furniture and firewood neatly
- Put away all lawn equipment, bikes and toys etc
- Depending on the season, planting a few flowers can make all the difference
- If you’ve got time, consider fertilising your lawn to make it lush and green
- Fill cracks in driveway and footpaths with ready-mix cement. If the driveway is gravel, consider filling in sparse areas, if necessary
- Does the yard look well maintained?