What if I only have three weeks?

Compress weeks six through four into the first few days: assessment, repairs and removals immediately. Protect the recheck between treatment and paint, since skipping it is how odor ends up sealed under new finishes.

Does the season change the countdown?

In winter, make sure the furnace runs during the recheck. In late spring and summer, recheck the basement after rain and irrigation, since musty odor is often seasonal.

Six-Week Odor Prep Countdown for Denver Home Sellers

The countdown

Week 6: Agree the target go-live date with your agent. Do an honest closed-house sniff test. Book an odor assessment and, if the house is older, a pre-listing inspection. Start sorting and removing contents.
Week 5: Assessment happens. Receive a written scope that names each source and the plan for it. Book plumbers, roofers, gutter or grading work for anything moisture-related. Get paint and flooring quotes but hold their dates.
Week 4: Repairs to leaks, drains and drainage. Contents and soft furnishings that hold odor leave the house. Old carpet and pad come up in affected rooms.
Week 3: Source treatment: washing residue, subfloor treatment and sealing, crawl space work, HVAC filter and any duct service. If a whole-house treatment is planned, it happens at the end of this week while the house is empty.
Week 2: Ventilate and recheck with the house closed up. Prime and paint. Install flooring once the subfloor has passed the recheck. Touch up any drywall repairs.
Week 1: Deep clean, then staging. Run the furnace or AC through full cycles. Final closed-house walkthrough the day before photos. Photos, then go live.

Things to confirm each week

Is anything still producing odor, such as a leak, damp area or animal activity?
Has every trade been told the photo and go-live dates?
Is there a ventilation and recheck gap between treatment and paint?
Have flooring installers been told to wait for the subfloor recheck?
Do agent showings or previews conflict with any vacancy requirement?
Are receipts, photos and the written scope being saved in one place?

Dates to write in

Assessment date: ______
Repairs complete by: ______
Treatment window (vacant?): ______
Recheck date: ______
Paint and flooring: ______
Staging: ______
Photos: ______
Go-live: ______

Common questions

What if I only have three weeks?: Compress weeks six through four into the first few days: assessment, repairs and removals immediately. Protect the recheck between treatment and paint, since skipping it is how odor ends up sealed under new finishes.
Does the season change the countdown?: In winter, make sure the furnace runs during the recheck. In late spring and summer, recheck the basement after rain and irrigation, since musty odor is often seasonal.

General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.