Work carried out in an empty property runs faster, costs less in protection and disruption, and avoids the compromises that come with living around a building site. If your circumstances allow it, the window between completion and moving in is worth using.
Why empty is cheaper
No furniture protection, no dust curtains, no working around bedtimes, no partial rooms. Trades overlap more efficiently and the programme compresses.
What to prioritise
Anything disruptive: rewiring, plastering, structural openings, floor finishes and bathrooms. Decoration and joinery details can follow later.
- Rewiring and heating alterations
- Structural openings and knock-throughs
- Whole-floor coverings
- Bathroom and kitchen work
Planning around completion
Survey before completion where the vendor allows, so the quote is ready and the work can start immediately on key handover.
Know your limits
If the window is short, be realistic about what fits. A rushed programme costs more than a phased one.