I recently acquired an empty apartment that's about 1000 sqft, and the previous tenants were heavy smokers. My initial plan was to clean the place using TSP, an ozone machine, and a Killz stain blocker. However, considering the condition, I'll definitely need to paint the entire apartment, which could cost me around $520-$780 for 2-3 buckets of paint (each bucket is approximately $260). Now, I'm wondering if it might be better or cheaper to just tear down all the walls and put in new drywall. If I replace the drywall, will that completely eliminate the cigarette stains? Also, which route is more cost-effective and involves less work? I realize I'll still need to paint the new drywall, so maybe that's not the best option either.
2 Answers
I flipped a similar apartment, and it took me three coats of paint, plus new appliances and flooring to really tackle the smell. Just painting can do wonders, but make sure to tackle any carpets too—they can really trap odors.
Replacing drywall can definitely lead to more work, especially if you're not skilled with mudding and finishing! It might take you way longer than just painting, maybe even ten times longer! Unless there’s another compelling reason to do it, I’d say stick to painting.
Did you try running an ozone machine in there too?