It’s not all open floor plans and fresh paint. There’s a dirty truth about house flipping.
When you think of house flipping, you might picture dramatic “before and after” shots, trendy tile, and someone yelling “demo day!” with a sledgehammer in hand. And while all that’s part of the fun, there’s also a much messier, grittier side to flipping houses that doesn’t always make it to HGTV.
We’ve lived it. And we’re here to tell you: flipping a house is a dirty job—and you better love a good dumpster dive (literally).
Step One: Rent. The. Dumpster.
Think you can get by with a few trash bags and a dream? Think again. As we shared in Demo Day: Dumpsters, Crow Bars, Sledge Hammers, and Tetanus Shots, your first official act as a flipper should be renting a dumpster. Maybe two. Or three.
Demo work produces an absurd amount of trash: cabinets, drywall, carpet, linoleum, mystery materials from the ‘70s… it all adds up. Having a dumpster out front isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. And it might make your neighbors slightly nervous. That’s part of the charm.
Suit Up: PPE Is Your New Best Friend
The dirty truth about house flipping is it’s pretty icky. Old houses are full of surprises—some delightful (original hardwood!), some less so (mold?). There’s dirty and there’s dirty. That’s why we never start a flip without the full PPE get-up. We’ll share our must-haves, complete with links to buy your own.
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Heavy-duty gloves (yes, the kind that make your hands sweaty). We recommend sturdy leather work gloves like these:
Safety glasses and/or goggles (because insulation in your eye is the worst). If you know you might be facing a moldy situation, it’s worth investing in legitimate mold safe goggles, like these:
If you’re sticking to less intense tasks, like removing wallpaper or knocking out drywall, we’d go with wraparound, anti-fog glasses like these:
Steel-toed boots (old nails have no chill). Most projects just need basic, lightweight work boots like these:
A good mask or respirator (especially when you’re stirring up dust or unknown substances). Unless you know you need a fancy respirator, we recommend these 20-packs of 3M masks:
Long sleeves and pants (to keep you scratch-free while crawling under things you probably shouldn’t be crawling under). Check out these men’s construction pants with tool pockets, or
It’s not glamorous, but it sure beats the ER.
Wallpaper Isn’t for the Weak
If you’re lucky, your fixer-upper has walls that just need a fresh coat of paint. If you’re like us, you’re peeling off four layers of wallpaper with a scraper and a steamer while questioning all your life choices. Check out How to Remove Wallpaper and Prep for Paint for the nitty-gritty (literally) on this process.
It’s not quick. It’s not clean. It’s not particularly satisfying until you finally get that last strip off. But it is necessary.
What’s Hiding in the Walls?
Every flip has a moment where you open a wall and say, “Uh oh.” Old pipes, sketchy electrical, random insulation blobs… it’s part of the deal. In Exterior Makeover: Boosting Curb Appeal at Greenwood House, we showed what goes into making a house pretty on the outside—after doing the not-so-pretty work of repairing old materials underneath.
Flipping is full of unexpected “fun.” You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll probably crawl into a crawlspace and regret it. But it’s all part of the process.
The Costs That Don’t Make the Cut
Let’s talk money. Because while flipping can be profitable, it’s also full of hidden costs. Dumpster rentals, permits, inspections, PPE, materials, labor (if you’re not DIYing), takeout meals because your kitchen doesn’t exist yet—it all adds up.
A great reminder from Investopedia: underestimating renovation costs and timelines is one of the top ways flips go south. And Better Homes & Gardens recently pointed out that many buyers are actually less into fixer-uppers these days due to rising costs (read more).
The Emotional Rollercoaster
Be warned: flipping is not just a physical workout—it’s an emotional one, too. One minute you’re riding high after a perfect tile install, the next you’re Googling “why is my toilet leaking into the floor vent.” Remember the cast iron tub and tile from h*ll?!
You have to love the chaos. Or at least accept it as part of the journey.
So, Why Do It?
Because at the end of the mess and stress, you’ve transformed something. You’ve created a home that’s ready for its next chapter. And let’s be honest—it feels amazing to walk through a finished flip knowing how far it’s come.
So go ahead—rent that dumpster, grab those gloves, and embrace the dirt. Because flipping isn’t just about what looks good in the “after.” It’s about getting your hands dirty and loving the process. For us, it’s also about silliness and family time!
Still curious about the not-so-pretty side of flipping?
Check out these great reads from fellow house flippers and real estate pros:
Let us know your dirtiest demo day moment—or your best unexpected find—over on Instagram @spacesandplacesus. We’ll be the ones in the PPE, covered in drywall dust, and still smiling.
