Suggested Order of Self-Upgrades After Closing on New Construction? (hardwood floors, apartment)

[Chili Dogs]

I'm trying to plan the order of renovations on my new construction 1-story home after closing. You all have become my trusted source - and secret weapon - during this entire homebuilding process. Below are the task items that I will complete prior to moving into the house. (I have about 2 months between closing and end of lease on my apartment.) I know the drapes should be the last thing I focus on (especially since I've paid the builder to install blinds throughout the house), however I'm not sure what would be the best order for the remaining task items. Any help would be appreciated.

1. Paint various rooms throughout the house.
2. Install hardwood floors
3. Install custom drapes
4. Install various ceiling fans and lighting fixtures (indoors and outdoors)
5. Install various custom doors on the interior of the house.

[BlosmTX]

I think it's easiest to paint first since that can be such a pain in the neck (ditto for the floors) and there's always the chance of a mess with paint, so better to do it before the floors. I'd do the floors next after the paint.
Basically, do the most labor intensive stuff first. You probably don't want to move in with your furniture, and then have to work around that. If you can do the paint and floors before you even put anything in the house, that would be the best.
drapes, doors and fixtures don't take a whole lot of effort and you can do them at any time after you're settled in.

[momof2dfw]

1. Paint various rooms throughout the house.
2. Install hardwood floors
3. Install custom drapes
4. Install various ceiling fans and lighting fixtures (indoors and outdoors)
5. Install various custom doors on the interior of the house.


Here is how I would do it:

1. Doors. ONLY if you are also changing out the trimwork. You want any and all trim work that effects the walls to be done before you paint them. If not then do this after paint and flooring if all your doing is taking one door off the hinges and adding a different door.

2. Paint. Get the messy part done and over w/ before adding anything else and being afraid to mess something up.

3. Floors. Easier to do w/o having furniture in the way.

4. Lighting and ceiling fans. Now, on this one I MIGHT add the ceiling fans BEFORE I did any of the other work ONLY because it gives you some air movement while your working on the paint and floors. Helps keep the house cooler as well as yourself while in it working since you are not going to be running the a/c while painting and laying wood floors always. Otherwise, light fixtures can be a quick weekend job once you move in as long as your not talking a huge chandelier w/ a dining room table in the way.

5. Custom drapes. Again, an easy weekend or evening job once moved in.

[Chili Dogs]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know its not rocket science, but sometimes hearing other people's opinion makes all the difference.

[Rakin]

Best thing I believe you can do is plant several very nice trees. A good oak tree or 2, watered and fertized will grow fairly quickly and add tons of value down the road.

With new construction, don't forget to get a good home inspector to do an inspection right before you do your 1st walk through with the builder.

It's worth every dollar.