Cosmetic Flip

Surface-level renovation — paint, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, landscaping. Minimal or no permits required.

A cosmetic flip checklist for fast turnarounds. This playbook covers all 17 steps of a light renovation in Long Beach — paint, flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms — each with typical durations, costs, and who to call.

17 steps

~32 days

4 phases

This playbook is a starting point — add, remove, or reorder any step when you start your project.

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Planning

3 steps~13 days

Property Inspection

Verify no structural, electrical, or plumbing issues that would escalate scope.

Critical for cosmetic flips — you need to confirm the scope stays cosmetic. Look for hidden water damage, termites, and electrical issues in older LB homes.

Develop Scope of Work & Budget

Define exactly what cosmetic work will be done — kitchen, baths, paint, flooring, landscaping.

Keep it focused. The goal is maximum visual impact for minimum cost. Kitchen and bathrooms drive the most value. Fresh paint and new flooring are table stakes.

Obtain Contractor Bids

Get 2-3 bids from contractors for the cosmetic scope.

For cosmetic work, a handyman or specialized finish contractor may be more cost-effective than a full GC. Verify CSLB license regardless.

Permitting

2 steps~2 days

Show steps ▾

Determine Permit Requirements

Check if any of your work requires a permit (electrical, plumbing fixture changes, window replacement).

Long Beach Development Services - Permit Center · (562) 570-6651 (Counter at 411 W Ocean Blvd, 2nd Floor.)

Pure cosmetic work (paint, flooring, cabinets) does not require a permit. But adding/moving electrical outlets, replacing a water heater, or changing window sizes does. When in doubt, call the Permit Center.

Pull Over-the-Counter Permits (if needed)

For simple items like water heater replacement, OTC permits can be issued same-day.

Long Beach Development Services - Permit Center · (562) 570-6651

LB offers over-the-counter permits for simple work (water heater, electrical panel, re-roofing). No plan check required — issued same day at the Permit Center.

Construction

8 steps~29 days

Show steps ▾

Kitchen Demo & Prep

Remove old cabinets, countertops, and appliances.

Disconnect and cap water/gas lines before removing appliances. Protect flooring in adjacent rooms.

Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops

Install new cabinets and countertops.

RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets save money. Quartz countertops are the standard for LB flips — granite is dated. Template after cabinets are set; fabrication takes 1-2 weeks.

Bathroom Refresh

New vanity, toilet, fixtures, mirror, and tile work in bathrooms.

Retile the shower surround if it is dated. New vanity, mirror, and fixtures go a long way. Tile floor to ceiling for a modern look. Budget per bathroom.

Interior Paint

Paint all walls, ceilings, trim, and doors.

Neutral colors sell best. Light gray or warm white walls, white trim. Two coats minimum. Low-VOC paint for faster move-in.

Flooring Installation

Install new flooring throughout — LVP, tile, or refinish hardwood.

LVP is the go-to for flips — waterproof, durable, easy to install. If existing hardwood is in good shape, refinishing is cheaper and adds character. Tile for bathrooms.

Lighting & Electrical Fixtures

Replace dated light fixtures, add recessed lighting if desired.

Recessed lighting modernizes any space. Replace all outlet covers and switch plates — new white Decora-style plates are cheap and look clean.

Appliance Installation

Install new kitchen appliances — range, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator.

Stainless steel is still the standard. Buy a matching set for consistency. Check gas vs electric hookup before ordering range.

Exterior & Curb Appeal

Exterior paint touch-up, front door, landscaping, driveway cleaning.

New front door, fresh exterior paint, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Power wash driveway and walkways. These are the first things buyers see.

Completion

4 steps~9 days

Show steps ▾

Final Cleaning

Professional deep clean.

Post-construction cleaning crew. Windows inside and out.

Punch List & Touch-ups

Walk the property, fix any remaining items, paint touch-ups.

Check every detail. Caulk gaps, touch up paint, adjust cabinet doors, test every fixture. The final details make or break the impression.

Professional Photos & Staging

Professional photography and optional staging for listing.

Professional photos are non-negotiable for listing. Virtual staging is a cost-effective alternative to physical staging ($200-400 vs $2,000-4,000/month).

Project Closeout

Final payments, lien releases, expense reconciliation.

Get lien releases from all contractors. Reconcile final budget. Total project cost for your records.

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Phases

Planning

3 steps · ~13d

Permitting

2 steps · ~2d

Construction

8 steps · ~29d

Completion

4 steps · ~9d

Quick Stats

Total Steps17

Duration~32 days

Phases4

More Long Beach build playbooks

Every template is a free step-by-step checklist with typical durations, costs, and Long Beach city contacts. Sign up free to turn any of them into a live build tracker.

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Complete 45-step full home rehab playbook for Long Beach: permits, demolition, framing, electrical, plumbing, inspections, and finish work — with typical costs and a ~253-day timeline.

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How to build an ADU in Long Beach: a free 49-step playbook covering city permitting, utility connections, construction, and inspections — with typical costs and a ~173-day timeline.

SB-9 Lot Split

The California SB-9 lot split process in 32 steps: entitlement, survey, design, permitting, and dual-unit construction — with typical costs and a ~271-day timeline for Long Beach lots.

Sayank Track This Build

All Templates

Cosmetic Flip

Surface-level renovation — paint, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms, landscaping. Minimal or no permits required.

17 steps

~32 days

4 phases

This playbook is a starting point — add, remove, or reorder any step when you start your project.

Track this project

Start Free

Planning

3 steps~13 days

Property Inspection

Verify no structural, electrical, or plumbing issues that would escalate scope.

Critical for cosmetic flips — you need to confirm the scope stays cosmetic. Look for hidden water damage, termites, and electrical issues in older LB homes.

Develop Scope of Work & Budget

Define exactly what cosmetic work will be done — kitchen, baths, paint, flooring, landscaping.

Keep it focused. The goal is maximum visual impact for minimum cost. Kitchen and bathrooms drive the most value. Fresh paint and new flooring are table stakes.

Obtain Contractor Bids

Get 2-3 bids from contractors for the cosmetic scope.

For cosmetic work, a handyman or specialized finish contractor may be more cost-effective than a full GC. Verify CSLB license regardless.

Permitting

2 steps~2 days

Show steps ▾

Determine Permit Requirements

Check if any of your work requires a permit (electrical, plumbing fixture changes, window replacement).

Long Beach Development Services - Permit Center · (562) 570-6651 (Counter at 411 W Ocean Blvd, 2nd Floor.)

Pull Over-the-Counter Permits (if needed)

For simple items like water heater replacement, OTC permits can be issued same-day.

Long Beach Development Services - Permit Center · (562) 570-6651

LB offers over-the-counter permits for simple work (water heater, electrical panel, re-roofing). No plan check required — issued same day at the Permit Center.

Construction

8 steps~29 days

Show steps ▾

Kitchen Demo & Prep

Remove old cabinets, countertops, and appliances.

Disconnect and cap water/gas lines before removing appliances. Protect flooring in adjacent rooms.

Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops

Install new cabinets and countertops.

RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets save money. Quartz countertops are the standard for LB flips — granite is dated. Template after cabinets are set; fabrication takes 1-2 weeks.

Bathroom Refresh

New vanity, toilet, fixtures, mirror, and tile work in bathrooms.

Retile the shower surround if it is dated. New vanity, mirror, and fixtures go a long way. Tile floor to ceiling for a modern look. Budget per bathroom.

Interior Paint

Paint all walls, ceilings, trim, and doors.

Neutral colors sell best. Light gray or warm white walls, white trim. Two coats minimum. Low-VOC paint for faster move-in.

Flooring Installation

Install new flooring throughout — LVP, tile, or refinish hardwood.

LVP is the go-to for flips — waterproof, durable, easy to install. If existing hardwood is in good shape, refinishing is cheaper and adds character. Tile for bathrooms.

Lighting & Electrical Fixtures

Replace dated light fixtures, add recessed lighting if desired.

Recessed lighting modernizes any space. Replace all outlet covers and switch plates — new white Decora-style plates are cheap and look clean.

Appliance Installation

Install new kitchen appliances — range, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator.

Stainless steel is still the standard. Buy a matching set for consistency. Check gas vs electric hookup before ordering range.

Exterior & Curb Appeal

Exterior paint touch-up, front door, landscaping, driveway cleaning.

New front door, fresh exterior paint, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Power wash driveway and walkways. These are the first things buyers see.

Completion

4 steps~9 days

Show steps ▾

Final Cleaning

Professional deep clean.

Post-construction cleaning crew. Windows inside and out.

Punch List & Touch-ups

Walk the property, fix any remaining items, paint touch-ups.

Check every detail. Caulk gaps, touch up paint, adjust cabinet doors, test every fixture. The final details make or break the impression.

Professional Photos & Staging

Professional photography and optional staging for listing.

Professional photos are non-negotiable for listing. Virtual staging is a cost-effective alternative to physical staging ($200-400 vs $2,000-4,000/month).

Project Closeout

Final payments, lien releases, expense reconciliation.

Get lien releases from all contractors. Reconcile final budget. Total project cost for your records.

Track this project

Start Free

Phases

Planning

3 steps · ~13d

Permitting

2 steps · ~2d

Construction

8 steps · ~29d

Completion

4 steps · ~9d

Quick Stats

Total Steps17

Duration~32 days

Phases4

More Long Beach build playbooks

Every template is a free step-by-step checklist with typical durations, costs, and Long Beach city contacts. Sign up free to turn any of them into a live build tracker.

Full Rehab

Complete 45-step full home rehab playbook for Long Beach: permits, demolition, framing, electrical, plumbing, inspections, and finish work — with typical costs and a ~253-day timeline.

ADU Build

How to build an ADU in Long Beach: a free 49-step playbook covering city permitting, utility connections, construction, and inspections — with typical costs and a ~173-day timeline.

SB-9 Lot Split

The California SB-9 lot split process in 32 steps: entitlement, survey, design, permitting, and dual-unit construction — with typical costs and a ~271-day timeline for Long Beach lots.