What Are the Steps to Flipping a Property After Closing?
My Step-by-Step After-Closing Checklist
Closing on a property feels like a huge milestone, but I’m learning quickly that it’s really just the beginning.
Once the keys are in hand, momentum matters. The first days after closing set the tone for the entire project. These are the notes I’ve been organizing into a simple, repeatable process for what needs to happen immediately after closing on a flip.
1. Get Insurance Issued Immediately
The very first call after closing is to the insurance broker.
Even if insurance was arranged ahead of time, I’ve learned it’s critical to confirm that coverage is active the moment ownership transfers.
Checklist:
Builder’s risk or vacant home policy issued
Coverage start date confirmed
Policy documents saved and accessible
Why it matters:
From day one, the property is my responsibility. No coverage means unnecessary risk.
2. Call in the Utilities
Once insurance is confirmed, utilities are next.
Electric, water, and gas need to be turned on right away so work can begin without delays, especially in colder weather when freezing lines or unheated spaces can cause damage.
Checklist:
Electricity on
Water on and checked for leaks
Gas activated (if applicable)
Why it matters:
You can’t renovate a house that doesn’t function.
3. Arrange for a Dumpster and Start Demo
Day one should look like progress.
A dumpster on-site and demolition scheduled immediately keeps momentum high and clears the space for real work to begin.
Checklist:
Dumpster delivered
Demo crew scheduled
Old fixtures, cabinets, and materials removed
Why it matters:
Demo reveals the true condition of the house, and delays here slow everything else down.
4. Begin Framing and Structural Work
Once the demo is complete, structural and framing work come next.
This can include framing new walls, repairing damaged areas, or addressing issues like basement waterproofing or foundation concerns.
Checklist:
Framing layout confirmed
Structural repairs addressed first
Waterproofing completed if needed
Why it matters:
Everything else in the renovation depends on this stage being done right.
5. Dry In the House
“Drying in” the house means protecting the interior from the elements.
At this stage, the priority is making sure the roof, windows, and doors are installed so the home stays secure and weather-tight.
Checklist:
Roof secure
Windows installed
Exterior doors installed
Why it matters:
Once the house is dry, interior work can move forward without weather delays.
6. Rough MEPs (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
This phase follows a very specific sequence, which was emphasized in the notes.
Order of operations:
Rough plumbing
Rough HVAC
Rough electrical
Each trade needs space to work efficiently without overlapping or undoing someone else’s work.
Checklist:
Rough plumbing completed
HVAC rough-ins installed
Electrical rough-ins completed
Rough inspections passed
Why it matters:
Good sequencing saves time, money, and frustration.
7. Insulation, Drywall, and Interior Progress
Once rough inspections are approved, the house starts to look like a home again.
Insulation goes into the exterior walls, followed by drywall hanging, mudding, and sanding. After that, finishes like flooring, trim, and paint can begin.
Checklist:
Insulation installed
Drywall hung, mudded, and sanded
Flooring installed
Trim and paint completed
Why it matters:
This is where the project shifts from construction to transformation.
8. Finish Work and Final Touches
The final phase is about details and presentation.
This includes installing countertops, backsplashes, and completing finish plumbing and electrical, followed by a punch-out inspection and deep clean.
Checklist:
Countertops and backsplash installed
Faucets, fixtures, and outlets installed
Punch-out completed
Deep clean finished
Staging and listing prepared
Why it matters:
Buyers notice details. Clean, finished work directly impacts resale value.
Final Thoughts
What I’m learning is that flipping a house isn’t chaotic when there’s a clear process. After closing, success comes from sequencing, momentum, and discipline.
This checklist helps me stay focused, organized, and intentional, so the project moves forward without unnecessary delays.
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.” — Proverbs 24:3