The renovation is finished, the house looks great, and it smells like a paint store. New paint, flooring, carpet, cabinets, adhesives, sealers and spray foam can all leave a strong “new construction” smell. For many homes it fades within days. For others, especially closed-up Florida homes running the AC on recirculation, it can hang on for weeks.
This article is about the odor. If you have any concern about how a product is affecting someone’s health, check the product’s label and safety information, ask the manufacturer or your contractor, and talk to a doctor.
Common Sources of Renovation Smell
- Fresh paint, primer and stain
- New carpet and padding
- Flooring adhesives and grout or tile sealers
- New cabinets, countertops and furniture made with pressed wood
- Floor finishes and epoxy coatings
- Construction dust sitting in the AC system and ductwork
Step 1: Let Products Finish Curing
Most paints, finishes and adhesives give off the most odor while they cure. Check the labels or ask your contractor how long each product needs, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for airing out the space. Treating the odor before products have cured is like cleaning before the job is done.
Step 2: Clean Up the Construction Dust
Fine dust from sanding, cutting and drywall work settles everywhere, including inside vents and the AC. It holds odor and keeps spreading it. A thorough post-construction cleaning makes a real difference:
- Replace the AC filter, and change it again a couple of weeks later.
- Wipe down vents, baseboards, cabinet interiors and window sills.
- Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum, including upholstery and the inside of closets.
- Throw out leftover paint cans, rags and adhesive containers stored inside the house or an attached garage.
If you’d rather not do it yourself, FL Cleanup offers post-construction cleaning in South Florida for homeowners, builders and contractors.
Step 3: Keep the AC Running
Running the AC with a fresh filter keeps air moving through the house and keeps Florida humidity down. High humidity can make some renovation smells seem stronger.
Smells Musty Instead of Chemical?
If the renovation was after a leak, flood or mold problem and the house now smells musty or earthy, that’s a different issue. New drywall and flooring installed over materials that weren’t fully dried can trap moisture. We offer a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera to look for hidden moisture behind the new finishes. That has to be fixed first.
Step 4: Clear the Odor That’s Left
Once products have cured and the dust is cleaned up, some homes still carry a renovation odor in the air and AC system. Our whole-home odor removal treatment treats the air throughout the entire home, including one AC system, to remove the odor left behind. You’ll be out of the home for about 8 hours. It’s an odor treatment only. Many homeowners schedule it right before moving back in or before listing a flipped or remodeled home.
Curious how it works? Read how the whole-home odor treatment works, and what it can and can’t do.
Whole-Home Odor Removal in South Florida: $997
Our Whole-Home Odor Removal Treatment is $997 and includes one AC system ($550 for each additional AC unit). You can buy and schedule it online, or call 877-224-2532. We answer 24/7, and hablamos español.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
