• Remove all furniture, carpets and curtains from the room.
• Only remove skirting board if you're able to do so without damaging the wall. It's normally okay to leave them as they are. 
• Check for protruding nails, and tap them in with a hammer.
• Glue or fix loose parquet blocks. Look close to radiators, or where there might have been previous water damage.
• Sweep or vacuum-clean the floor to remove dust and loose debris.

Tip: It’s best to paint or wallpaper before renovating the floor. This will minimise the risk of damage to your freshly renovated floor.