A sample eight-day sequence
An example only; real turns depend on the source and the trades involved.
- Day 1
- Move-out walk with odor notes and photographs. Remove soft goods and obvious sources.
- Day 2
- Deep cleaning of hard surfaces, cabinets and closets. Inspect the air handler and drains.
- Day 3
- Pull flooring and cushion if needed. Check the subfloor.
- Day 4
- Sealing or priming where required, with ventilation running.
- Day 5
- Allow drying and airing. Hold other trades out until the area is ready.
- Day 6
- Paint and install flooring.
- Day 7
- Final cleaning and a first recheck.
- Day 8
- Second recheck at a different time of day, then release the unit.
Dependencies
- Task
- Sealing
- Needs first
- Cleaning, source removal
- Blocks
- Paint, flooring
- Task
- Paint
- Needs first
- Sealing cured
- Blocks
- Flooring, final clean
- Task
- Flooring
- Needs first
- Subfloor dry and clean
- Blocks
- Final clean, recheck
- Task
- Recheck
- Needs first
- Final clean, airing
- Blocks
- Release to leasing
Planning the schedule
Rate the odor
Use the staff scale to estimate how deep the problem goes before booking trades.
Add buffer days
Leave time for drying and airing so later trades do not trap a smell.
Sequence trades
Put the odor work ahead of paint and flooring.
Plan the recheck
Schedule it for a day after the final clean, and a second at another time of day.
Common questions
Can the schedule be shortened?
Some steps can overlap, but drying and airing periods are the ones most often cut and then regretted.
What if a unit has no odor problem?
Then most of this plan is unnecessary. Use the move-out walk to decide, and apply the full sequence only to units where an odor was noted or the history suggests one.
Why recheck at two different times?
Smells vary with temperature, airflow and how long the unit has been closed. A second look at a different hour catches problems that the first one missed, and it gives a more honest picture before release.
Who keeps the schedule?
Usually the make-ready coordinator or maintenance supervisor, with odor steps flagged in the unit file so that vendors and in-house trades see the same plan.
What about units with heavy damage?
Plan a longer sequence and expect more removal. The eight-day pattern is only an example, and a unit with saturated flooring or wall damage may need additional days and specialist input.
General information for Centennial, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.