Every house has quirks the people who live there stop noticing. You know to jiggle the toilet handle, lift the bathroom door as you close it, and skip the second step on the porch. Your guests do not. A couple of weekends before people arrive, walk through the house as if you were a visitor and fix the things that would trip them up.
The guest bathroom
- Toilet: flush it and listen. If it runs or needs a jiggle, a new flapper is a 20-minute fix. See our running toilet guide.
- Drain speed: run the sink and tub. Slow drains usually mean a hair clog in the stopper; pull it and clean it out.
- Caulk: cracked or moldy caulk around the tub is worth redoing, but give it 24 hours to cure before anyone showers.
- Exhaust fan: hold a tissue up to it. If it does not pull the tissue in, the fan or its duct needs cleaning.
- Lock and towel bar: guests will use both. Tighten loose ones.
The guest room
- Test the smoke alarm, and check its date. See our alarm guide.
- Check the window locks and make sure the window opens; bedrooms are an emergency exit.
- Clear space around the outlet nearest the bed so phones can charge without an extension cord across the floor.
- Fix the door that sticks or will not latch. Usually a loose top hinge; see our door guide.
- Feel for drafts at the window. A temporary plastic film kit makes a cold room noticeably warmer.
The way in
- Replace burned-out porch and path lights; use bulbs rated for outdoor and cold use.
- Check that porch and deck steps are solid and the handrail does not move.
- Have ice melt and a shovel ready by the door if snow is possible.
- Make sure your house number is visible from the street for deliveries and rideshares.
The kitchen
- Test the GFCI outlets along the counter (press TEST, then RESET).
- Clean the range hood filter; a full kitchen means more grease and smoke.
- Run the garbage disposal with cold water. If it hums but does not spin, switch it off, unplug it or turn off its breaker, then turn the hex socket on the bottom with the wrench that came with it. Never reach inside. Follow your model’s manual, then press the red reset button.
- Know where the water shut-off under the sink is, just in case.
If you are short on time
Prioritize safety (alarms, handrails, lighting, step stability), then the guest bath, then everything else. A short list done properly beats a long one half-finished.
Our guides are general information for typical homes. Codes, permits and conditions vary, so check local rules, and leave gas, main electrical panel and structural work to a licensed professional.
