Every successful flip starts with a system. Not a prayer. After running dozens of rehabs, I've put together the checklist that covers every phase from close to MLS listing. Tape this to your wall.
Phase 1: Pre-Construction (Days 1-3)
Before anyone swings a hammer:
- Secure the property. Change locks, set up cameras, turn on utilities.
- Finalize your scope of work. Walk the property with your contractor. Finalize every line item. No ambiguity. At Seller's Little Helpers, our $150 scope visit handles this.
- Pull permits. Figure out what your municipality requires. File before work starts, not after an inspector shows up.
- Order long-lead materials. Cabinets, custom windows, specialty items can take 2-4 weeks. Order Day 1.
- Set up your weekly draw schedule. Know the payment rhythm before work begins.
Phase 2: Demo (Week 1)
Demo is where you find out what's really behind those walls:
- Hidden water damage
- Outdated electrical (knob and tube, aluminum wiring)
- Plumbing issues (galvanized pipes, improper venting)
- Structural problems (termite damage, settling, load-bearing wall modifications)
Document everything with photos. Any discovery that affects the scope triggers a formal change order. Written, priced, and approved before additional work begins.
Phase 3: Rough-In (Weeks 2-3)
The trades do their heavy lifting:
- Framing: Wall modifications, door relocations, room reconfigurations
- Electrical rough-in: New circuits, panel upgrade if needed, fixture boxes
- Plumbing rough-in: Pipe relocation, new supply/drain lines
- HVAC: Ductwork modifications, new equipment if needed
Schedule inspections immediately after each rough-in. Don't let inspections become the bottleneck.
Phase 4: Insulation and Drywall (Week 4)
Once rough-ins pass inspection:
- Insulate exterior walls and attic to code
- Hang, tape, and finish drywall
- Good checkpoint week. The house starts looking like a house again.
Phase 5: Finishes (Weeks 5-7)
This is where budgets balloon if you're not disciplined:
- Flooring. LVP, tile, or hardwood per the scope. Don't upgrade mid-project.
- Cabinets and countertops. Verify measurements before ordering.
- Paint. Interior walls, ceilings, trim, doors. Exterior if needed.
- Fixtures. Lighting, plumbing fixtures, hardware. Per scope specs.
- Trim work. Baseboards, crown molding if specified, door casings, window trim.
Phase 6: Systems and Appliances (Week 8)
- Install appliances
- Final HVAC connections and testing
- Final electrical connections
- Final plumbing connections
Phase 7: Punch List and Closeout (Weeks 9-10)
This is where amateurs get sloppy and pros shine:
- Walk every room with a critical eye
- Touch-up paint
- Verify all fixtures function
- Test all appliances
- Check all doors and windows operate smoothly
- Test every outlet and switch
- Professional clean
- Final photos for your records and listing
How Weekly Draws Map to This Checklist
Notice how every phase fits into weekly increments? Each week has defined deliverables. Each Friday, you review whether the checklist items are complete. If they are, the draw gets released. If not, it gets held.
Weekly draws turn this checklist from a planning tool into an accountability tool. The payment rhythm drives the work rhythm.
Book a $150 scope visit at sellerslittlehelpers.com - we'll build a custom version of this checklist for your property during the scope visit. Call (708) 536-6700 or visit https://sellerslittlehelpers.com.