Quick answer: Across Los Angeles, apartment deep cleaning typically costs $150 to $450 for studios and 1BRs, and $250 to $650 for 2BR and larger, based on scope and crew size. TurnOver LA charges flat Make Ready rates, Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR+ $425, with a 48 hour turnaround and a 12 point photo report included.
If you are pricing an apartment deep clean in LA, expect the general market to quote per hour or a broad range by size. TurnOver LA posts flat Make Ready rates by unit type, then finishes in 48 hours with documentation you can use for deposit accounting. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What do apartment cleaning services cost in Los Angeles right now?
Across LA, hourly cleaning companies commonly charge $45 to $70 per cleaner per hour with a 2 to 3 hour minimum. That puts a light studio clean around $150 to $210 and a heavy 2BR move out closer to $350 to $650 when ovens, fridges and showers need real work. By contrast, TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is flat priced for a real turnover scope: Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, 3BR or larger $425. Our price includes a deep clean plus a 12 point photo report, completed in 48 hours. If a unit also needs paint, minor drywall or a junk haul, we add line items from the same catalog and keep the same 48 hour clock.
Market vs TurnOver LA: how do prices actually compare?
| Unit size | Typical LA market deep clean range | TurnOver LA Make Ready | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $150 to $350 | $225 | 48 hours |
| 1 Bedroom | $200 to $450 | $255 | 48 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $300 to $650 | $335 | 48 hours |
| 3BR or larger | $400 to $750 | $425 | 48 hours |
Notes: Market ranges reflect hourly shops with 2 to 3 hour minimums and add ons for oven, fridge, blinds, and balcony. TurnOver LA prices are flat and include deep clean plus a 12 point photo report. Vacancy loss in LA usually runs $80 to $200 per day, so a predictable 48 hour turn matters to owners and managers.
What is included in a proper move out deep clean for a rental?
A turnover clean aims to make a unit rent ready and defensible for deposit deductions. The base scope should include kitchen degrease, oven and fridge interior, bath descale, hard floor detailing, baseboards, blinds, light fixtures, outlets and switches wiped, spot wall wash, interior windows and sills, and final dust down. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready deep clean includes all of that plus a 12 point photo report you can attach to your move out file. For landlords and managers, that report supports reasonable cleaning charges under California Civil Code §1950.5 and makes the 21 day accounting easier. See our guide on california-21-day-deposit-return for timelines and documentation tips.
Is $50 an hour for cleaning good in LA?
$50 per hour can be fine for routine housekeeping, but move out deep cleans are rarely done in one or two hours. Most hourly companies also run a 2 to 3 hour minimum, and may add surcharges for oven interiors, fridge interiors, blinds, or balcony glass. For rentals, flat rate turnover pricing is simpler and usually cheaper than a long hourly session. With TurnOver LA, you skip hourly uncertainty and pay a flat Make Ready price, Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR+ $425, finished in 48 hours with photos. That price predictability helps you control vacancy loss and deposit accounting.
Is two hours enough time for a cleaner to finish a move out?
Usually no. A true move out deep clean for a 1BR with oven and fridge interiors, shower glass descaled, and baseboards detailed often takes 3 to 5 labor hours when done properly. A 2BR can take 5 to 8 labor hours, more if there is heavy grease or hard water buildup. Hourly minimums can hide this. TurnOver LA prices the whole job, then staffs it to hit a 48 hour return to market. If your unit also needs a quick paint touch up or minor wall repair, we can add paint touch-up at $200 and keep the same delivery window. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What is the 3:30 rule for cleaning and does it apply to turnovers?
The 3:30 rule is a hospitality scheduling shorthand. Housekeeping supervisors in hotels often target all departures finished by 3:30 pm so rooms release to Front Desk by late afternoon. Turnovers in LA rentals are different. You are managing vacancy loss and a multi trade flow, not a same day room reset. The right rule for apartment make ready is a 48 hour end to end window for cleaning, minor paint, basic repairs, and photos. That is exactly how TurnOver LA runs scheduling and pricing.
How should landlords document cleaning charges under California law?
California allows landlords to deduct reasonable cleaning costs to return a unit to the condition it was in at move in, minus normal wear and tear. The rules are in California Civil Code §1950.5 and summarized in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide. For 2024, AB 12 caps most security deposits at one month’s rent, so documentation quality matters more. Include your move in photos, the move out photos, invoices for cleaning, and a line item accounting delivered within 21 days. TurnOver LA’s 12 point photo report is designed for this file. See also our guides on normal-wear-and-tear-california and apartment-turnover-fee.
- California Civil Code reference: California Civil Code §1950.5
- State handbook: California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide
- Deposit cap: AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap
Where in LA do cleaning prices tend to run higher, and why?
Downtown LA high rises, Santa Monica walk ups with street cleaning days, and buildings with valet only access can add time for parking, keying and elevator waits. This is why many hourly cleaners charge more on the Westside or in DTLA. Our flat Make Ready price is the same citywide. Access notes still help us plan. If your building in Downtown LA needs elevator booking or dock access, include it in the work order so we can staff correctly and hold the 48 hour turn.
What if my unit also needs paint, a punch list, or a junk haul?
Stacking light trades during cleaning is how you cut vacancy days. Typical LA painters want a separate visit at $300 to $700 per room. Handymen often quote $75 to $125 per hour with a half day minimum. With TurnOver LA, you can add paint and repair line items to the same 48 hour window. Current catalog items include paint touch-up at $200, repainting per room at $395 per room, small drywall patch at $150 per patch, a half-day handyman punch list at $230, and a unit cleanout at $200 for a studio or $310 for a 1BR. See our handyman punch list and cleanout and junk haul services for details.
What exactly is in TurnOver LA’s Make Ready deep clean?
Here is a practical rundown of the core scope we deliver in Make Ready, suitable for a move out standard and deposit file.
- Kitchen degrease, including stove top, oven interior, drip pans, range hood and cabinet faces.
- Fridge interior empty, clean and deodorize, plus exterior and handles.
- Bath descale and sanitize, tub and shower glass, grout edges, toilet, vanity and mirrors.
- Hard floor detailing, vacuum and wet mop, with edges and corners pulled.
- Baseboards, blinds and interior window glass, sills and tracks wiped.
- Light fixtures, switches, outlets and door hardware wiped, dust webs cleared.
- Spot wall wash where cleanable, final dust down and entry sweep for showing.
This base deep clean includes a 12 point photo report. For a full overview of how a make ready works across trades, see what-is-make-ready and our apartment-turnover-checklist.
How do hourly cleaners compare to flat rate make ready for rentals?
Hourly can look cheaper at booking, then balloon when the oven, blinds and soap scum take real time. You also carry the risk if the cleaner underestimates. Flat rate turnover pricing puts the scope and price on paper. For rentals, that also ties to deposit rules and your 21 day clock. TurnOver LA posts the price by unit, Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR+ $425, and delivers in 48 hours. If we see items outside cleaning, like repainting per room at $395 per room or a small drywall patch at $150 per patch, we add the catalog line and keep the schedule. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Does the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance change cleaning rules?
The LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance sets rules for rent controlled properties in the City of Los Angeles. It does not change the statewide standard for cleaning deductions, which still follows California Civil Code §1950.5. For RSO units, the key is notice, access, and timely return to service so you can offer the unit to the next qualified applicant. Pricing stays the same. Documentation still rules. See the city page for the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
How do I choose between cheap quotes and a documented 48 hour turn?
Use a simple math check. A two day delay costs $160 to $400 in vacancy loss in most LA submarkets. A $50 cheaper cleaner that slips schedule or misses the oven is not actually cheaper. Flat pricing with a written scope, a 48 hour window, and a photo report usually wins on net. TurnOver LA is built for owners and small managers, with a clear catalog and a 48 hour finish. When you are ready, the booking flow gives you the same price we list here. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Real examples using TurnOver LA’s catalog pricing
- Studio move out in Palms: Make Ready $225. Light paint scuffs only, no add ons. Back on market in 48 hours with photos for the file.
- 1BR in Hollywood with a small drywall nick and knob swap: Make Ready $255, small drywall patch $150 per patch, door knob replacement $100 per knob. Total $505, still 48 hours.
- 2BR in North Hollywood with fridge haul out and junk: Make Ready $335, unit cleanout $420 for 2BR. Total $755, plus listing photos the next morning using the TLA Launch Pad Media Package at $399.
If you want to see the full turnover cost picture, including painting and handyman, read our guide on apartment-turnover-cost-los-angeles. For renters comparing move out options, see move-out-cleaning-los-angeles to understand typical expectations.
After cleaning, how do I finish the turn and relist?
If walls need more than a wipe, add paint touch-up at $200 or repainting per room at $395 per room. If you have a short punch list, a half-day handyman punch list is $230 and a full-day is $425. Rekeying is $150 for a full apartment rekey, or $110 for a front plus deadbolt. Once the unit is clean, painted and safe, book the TLA Launch Pad Media Package at $399 to capture photos and floor plan basics for your listing. See our locks and security service and TLA Launch Pad Media Package pages for more.