How to patch and paint before furniture arrives
To patch and paint before moving in, check the build date first, since homes from before 1978 may have lead paint. Then fill holes, let the spackle dry and cure, sand and prime the patches, and paint ceilings, walls and trim in that order. Most spackle takes 1 to 2 hours to dry and about 24 hours to cure.
When to paint before moving in
This is a one-time job for the gap between closing and move-in day. Build the schedule backward from the moving truck. Allow a day for patches to cure, then time for each coat using the drying and recoat times on your paint can. Those times differ by product, so read the label before you promise yourself a finish date.
| Spackle type | Typical dry time |
|---|---|
| Quick-dry premixed | About 30 minutes |
| Standard gypsum | At least 2 hours |
| Acrylic | About 2 to 4 hours |
| Vinyl | About 2 to 5 hours |
| Epoxy | Up to 24 hours |
Deep repairs take longer than shallow ones. Work between about 50 and 90°F. Humid rooms dry slowly, so run a fan or the air conditioner.
What you need to patch and paint
- Spackle, a putty knife and fine sandpaper
- Primer for the patches
- Paint for ceilings, walls and trim
- Drop cloths, painter's tape and a fan
- For a pre-1978 home: plastic sheeting, a HEPA vacuum and a spray bottle
How to patch holes before painting, then paint the room
- Check the build date
Look at your inspection report or county property record. If the house predates 1978 or you can't tell, treat the paint as lead paint.
- Clear and cover the room
Pull nails and hardware, wash greasy spots, and lay drop cloths.
- Fill and dry
Press spackle into holes and dents with a putty knife. Most products need 1 to 2 hours to dry and about 24 hours to cure before sanding.
- Sand and spot-prime
Sand patches flush and wipe off the dust. Prime them so they don't show through the paint. In a pre-1978 home, wet the area first and sand as little as possible.
- Paint from the top down
Start with the ceiling, move to the walls and finish with the trim. Drips then land on surfaces you haven't painted yet.
- Wait before moving furniture in
Check the can for the cure time. Pushing a dresser against paint that's only dry to the touch can mark it.
- Deal with the leftovers
Write the room and color on each can and keep paint in its original container. Never pour it down a drain. Your local waste agency can tell you about collection days.
Lead warning signs when you paint before moving in
The federal government banned lead-based paint for homes in 1978. EPA estimates how likely older homes are to have it:
| Year built | Homes likely to have lead paint |
|---|---|
| 1960 to 1977 | 24% |
| 1940 to 1959 | 69% |
| Before 1940 | 87% |
Lead paint in good shape is usually not a problem. The danger starts when it peels, chips or gets disturbed, because sanding and scraping create dust that young children can swallow or breathe. Stop and rethink the job if you see:
- Peeling, chipping or cracking paint in a pre-1978 home
- Worn paint on windows, sills and doors that rub together
- Old textured paint or patching compound on walls and ceilings, which EPA lists as possible asbestos sources. Don't sand or scrape it until a qualified inspector has tested it.
- Stains that come back through fresh paint, which can mean an active leak
Patch and paint yourself or hire a lead-safe contractor?
Filling nail holes in sound, modern walls is an easy DIY job. In a pre-1978 home, assume lead is present unless a certified inspector or risk assessor says otherwise. EPA recommends hiring a lead-safe certified contractor for renovation work in these homes, and says not to try removing lead paint yourself.
If you do small repairs yourself, follow EPA's DIY rules. Cover floors and vents with plastic, turn off forced-air heating and cooling, and mist surfaces before sanding. Sand as little as you can, wear an N-100 respirator, and clean with a HEPA vacuum and wet cloths. Don't dry sweep.
What homeowners say about painting before moving in
Owners say if you plan to paint or redo floors, do it before you move in, even if that means paying an extra month of rent. The most upvoted joke in one thread was about leaving the doors and trim 'until summer'. That was six summers ago. Don't buy the cheapest brushes and rollers for walls. Owners say they leave a poor finish. (Reddit)
Before you paint, decide on any wiring changes, like grounding outlets, new ceiling boxes, sconces or overhead lights. Walls are easiest to open before paint and furniture. Some owners extend their lease or wait a month to move in so they can do the dusty work first. (Reddit)
Run any ethernet, speaker or TV cables before you patch and paint. Cutting into walls is easy while rooms are empty and the paint isn't fresh. (Reddit)
Do other messy jobs in the same window: refinish floors, regrout the shower and recaulk the tub. Grout and caulk need about a day before the shower can be used, which is a real problem once you live there with only one shower. (Reddit)
Buy more painting supplies than you think. One owner says to triple the rollers you planned on. Paint ceilings before redoing floors so drips land on the old surface. (Reddit)
Write down the brand, color code and sheen for every room before you forget. Whites differ even between cans of the same color, so owners mix cans together on big walls and keep a labeled jar of each room's paint for touch-ups. (Hacker News, DIY Stack Exchange)
How long to let spackle dry, and other questions
How long should spackle dry before painting?
Most spackle dries in 1 to 2 hours and fully cures in about 24 hours. Quick-dry premixed types can be ready in about 30 minutes, and epoxy can take up to 24. Follow the product label, because brands differ.
Can I sand walls in a house built before 1978?
Only with care. Assume lead paint is present unless testing shows otherwise. EPA says to wet the area, sand as little as you can, and use a HEPA vacuum. For larger jobs it recommends a lead-safe certified contractor.
How do I get rid of leftover paint?
Check with your local solid waste agency about household hazardous waste collection. PaintCare runs drop-off programs in California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
Sources: Bob Vila, paintcare.org, EPA
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.