Move-In Projects for Your New Home

Get Your Home Move-In Ready with Professional Renovations

Congratulations on your new home purchase! While the excitement of home ownership is real, you might be looking at outdated finishes, a cramped kitchen layout, or bathrooms that need serious attention. You’re faced with a decision: move in now and renovate later, or complete the improvements first and move into a home that’s truly ready for your family.

At Praiano Custom Home Builders, we specialize in helping new homeowners transform their properties before move-in day. Whether you purchased a fixer-upper that needs extensive work or a newer home requiring cosmetic updates, we handle pre-move renovations that let you start your new chapter in a home you genuinely love—from day one.

Why Renovate Before You Move In

Avoid Living Through Construction Anyone who has lived through a kitchen remodel knows the reality: washing dishes in the bathroom sink, eating takeout for weeks, and dealing with dust that somehow finds its way into everything. When you renovate before moving in, you avoid the stress and inconvenience of living in a construction zone.

Work Can Progress Faster Empty homes allow contractors to work more efficiently. We can spread materials throughout the space, complete messy demolition without worrying about your belongings, and access every room without navigating around furniture. This typically means your project finishes weeks sooner than it would if you were living there.

Only Move Once Packing and moving is exhausting enough without having to do it twice. When you complete renovations first, you unpack in a finished space and truly settle in—rather than living out of boxes while waiting for construction to wrap up.

Make Better Decisions An empty home gives you a clear canvas to visualize improvements. Without furniture blocking sightlines or daily routines clouding your judgment, you can make design decisions that truly optimize your space.

Protect Your Belongings Construction generates dust, debris, and occasional accidents. Keeping your furniture, electronics, and personal items in storage during renovations means they stay protected and you’re not constantly cleaning or covering things.

Our Move-In Project Services

Complete Kitchen Renovations If your new home’s kitchen is dated, dysfunctional, or just not to your taste, this is the ideal time to transform it. We handle everything from layout reconfiguration and cabinet installation to new countertops, flooring, backsplashes, and lighting. Move in to a kitchen that’s ready for your first family dinner.

Bathroom Remodeling Cramped, outdated bathrooms significantly impact daily comfort. We modernize master baths, update guest bathrooms, and expand powder rooms—installing new fixtures, tile, vanities, and lighting while addressing any plumbing updates needed.

Flooring Installation and Refinishing Replacing or refinishing flooring is dramatically easier in an empty home. Whether you’re installing hardwood throughout, replacing dated carpet with luxury vinyl, or refinishing existing wood floors, we complete the work without navigating around furniture.

Interior Painting Fresh paint transforms a space instantly. We handle all interior painting including walls, ceilings, trim, and doors—selecting colors that complement your style and applying finishes that will look beautiful for years. Empty rooms mean faster, cleaner painting with better results.

Structural Changes and Layout Modifications Want to remove walls for an open floor plan? Add walls to create a home office? Expand a bedroom or bathroom? These structural changes are best completed before you move in, when demolition and construction can proceed without disrupting your daily life.

Electrical and Lighting Upgrades Modern living demands modern electrical systems. We update outdated wiring, add outlets where you need them, install new lighting fixtures, and ensure your home can handle today’s power requirements—from kitchen appliances to home offices.

Master Suite Additions and Renovations Transform a cramped master bedroom into a true retreat with expanded space, walk-in closets, and luxurious bathrooms. Completing this work pre-move means you enjoy restful sleep and organized mornings from the very beginning.

Basement Finishing Turn unused basement space into functional living areas before you move in. We create additional bedrooms, home offices, entertainment spaces, or workout rooms—maximizing your home’s usable square footage.

Exterior Improvements First impressions matter. We handle exterior painting, siding replacement, deck repairs, and other curb appeal improvements that make your new home look as welcoming outside as it feels inside.

Our Move-In Project Process

Initial Property Assessment We meet you at your new property—ideally before closing or shortly after—to walk through the space and discuss your vision. This consultation helps us understand which improvements matter most to you and allows us to evaluate the home’s condition.

Comprehensive Planning We create a detailed project plan that prioritizes improvements based on your goals, budget, and desired move-in date. You’ll receive a clear scope of work, timeline estimate, and transparent pricing for all proposed renovations.

Coordinated Scheduling Working backwards from your target move-in date, we develop a construction schedule that ensures completion with time to spare. We coordinate all trades, order materials, and sequence work for maximum efficiency.

Permit Management We handle all necessary building permits and inspections, ensuring your renovations comply with local codes and regulations. You’ll never need to navigate the permitting process yourself.

Professional Execution Our skilled team completes your renovations with the same quality standards we apply to custom home building. We maintain clear communication throughout, providing regular updates on progress and promptly addressing any questions or concerns.

Pre-Move-In Final Touches Before your moving trucks arrive, we complete a comprehensive walkthrough to ensure every detail meets our standards and your expectations. We address any final adjustments, perform thorough cleaning, and make certain your home is genuinely ready for you.

What Move-In Projects Should You Prioritize

Essential Renovations to Complete First Certain improvements genuinely should be completed before you move in. These include full kitchen renovations, major bathroom remodels, flooring replacement or refinishing, structural changes affecting layout, and any necessary mechanical or electrical system upgrades. Living without a functional kitchen or bathroom creates genuine hardship, and these projects generate too much dust and disruption to tackle comfortably while occupied.

Projects That Can Wait Minor cosmetic updates, accent walls, light fixture replacements, and small organizational improvements can easily be completed after you move in. These don’t create major disruption and can actually benefit from living in the space first to understand your needs.

When to Renovate Based on Project Scope If you’re gutting multiple rooms or making extensive changes, complete the work before moving in. If you’re making minor updates to one or two spaces, you can likely live there during construction. We help you think through these decisions based on your specific situation.

Why Choose Praiano for Your Move-In Projects

Licensed and Insured Professionals Our entire team is properly licensed and fully insured, giving you confidence that your pre-move renovations are handled by qualified professionals who protect your investment.

Experience with Occupied and Vacant Properties We understand the unique considerations of working in empty homes. We secure the property appropriately, coordinate utility needs, and manage all aspects of construction without you needing to be constantly present.

Quality That Lasts We use premium materials and proven construction methods that ensure your renovations look beautiful and perform flawlessly from day one and for decades to come.

Transparent Communication Even though you’re not living in the property yet, we keep you fully informed with regular updates, progress photos, and prompt responses to questions. You’ll always know exactly what’s happening.

On-Time Completion We understand that your move-in date matters. We work diligently to complete your renovations on schedule, building appropriate contingency time into our planning to account for unexpected discoveries or delays.

Ready to Transform Your New Home?

Don’t settle for moving into a house that’s not quite right. Let Praiano Custom Home Builders
help you create a home that’s genuinely ready for your family from the moment you carry boxes through the door.

Contact us today at (516) 636-5257 to schedule a consultation.
Whether you’re still house hunting and want to understand renovation possibilities,
or you’ve already closed and are ready to begin, we’re here to help make your move-in
smooth and your new home exactly what you’ve been dreaming of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Move-In Projects

How long do move-in renovations typically take?

Timeline depends on the scope of work you’re planning. Cosmetic updates like painting, new flooring, and minor bathroom refreshes typically take three to six weeks. More extensive projects involving kitchen renovations, structural changes, or multiple room remodels usually require eight to twelve weeks. When you’re planning renovations before moving in, we recommend starting the process as soon as possible after your home purchase closes—ideally giving yourself at least two to three months before your desired move-in date. We provide detailed schedules during planning so you can coordinate with your current housing situation and make arrangements accordingly.

Should I renovate before moving in or wait until I’ve lived there?

This depends on the type and extent of renovations you’re planning. Major projects affecting kitchens, bathrooms, or requiring structural changes should almost always be completed before you move in—the disruption and inconvenience of living through these renovations is significant. Minor cosmetic updates can go either way, though completing them pre-move is typically easier with empty rooms. Some people prefer waiting a few months to understand how they use the space, but this makes most sense for optional upgrades rather than necessary improvements. If your new home has serious functional issues or dated systems that bother you, addressing them before moving in usually provides better results with less stress.

Can you work on my property while I’m not local?

Absolutely. Many of our move-in project clients are relocating from other areas or closing remotely. We provide comprehensive photo updates, video walkthroughs, and regular communication throughout the project. We handle all on-site coordination, manage contractors and trades, secure the property appropriately, and keep you fully informed even when you’re hundreds of miles away. If possible, we recommend scheduling key decision-making visits when major elements are being finalized, but we can successfully complete quality renovations with you participating primarily remotely.

How much should I budget for move-in renovations?

Budget varies dramatically based on scope. Minor cosmetic updates including painting, new flooring in select rooms, and basic upgrades might range from $15,000 to $30,000. Mid-range renovations involving a kitchen or bathroom remodel plus cosmetic updates throughout typically fall between $50,000 and $100,000. Extensive renovations with multiple room remodels, structural changes, and high-end finishes can exceed $150,000. During your consultation, we discuss your priorities and budget parameters to create a renovation plan that delivers maximum impact within your comfort zone. We provide detailed, transparent estimates that let you make informed decisions about where to invest your budget.

What if I discover problems during renovation?

Older homes often reveal surprises once walls are opened—outdated wiring, plumbing issues, structural concerns, or hidden water damage. This is actually one advantage of renovating before you move in: problems can be addressed without disrupting your daily life. We build contingency funds and time into our project planning specifically for unexpected discoveries. If we encounter issues, we immediately inform you, explain the options, and provide transparent pricing for addressing them. Our experience helps us anticipate potential problems during initial assessments, minimizing surprises whenever possible.

Do you handle permit requirements?

Yes, we manage all permit applications, coordinate inspections, and ensure complete compliance with local building codes and zoning regulations. Permit requirements vary by municipality and project type, but virtually all significant renovations require permits—especially those involving structural changes, electrical work, plumbing modifications, or mechanical systems. We navigate this process on your behalf, drawing on our established relationships with local building departments to streamline approvals. You never need to visit the permit office or worry about compliance issues.

Can I make changes once renovation has started?

While we can accommodate reasonable changes, modifications after work begins typically affect both timeline and budget. The more detailed our planning is upfront, the fewer changes you’ll want to make during construction. That said, we understand that seeing things in progress sometimes sparks new ideas. When change requests arise, we provide transparent pricing and timeline impacts so you can make informed decisions. For the smoothest experience, we encourage thorough decision-making during the design phase when changes are easier and less expensive to implement.