Quick answer: For a vacant one-bedroom in Los Angeles, published post-construction cleaning benchmarks start around $405, although that is a heavier scope than a standard deep clean. TurnOver LA's one-bedroom Make Ready, which includes a deep clean and 12-point photo report, is a flat $255 with a 48-hour turnaround. Paint, repairs, junk, and materials are separate when the unit needs them.
How much does apartment deep cleaning cost in Los Angeles?
The useful answer depends on whether the unit is occupied, vacant, or newly renovated. Published Los Angeles post-construction pricing starts around $405 for a one-bedroom, but post-construction work can involve dust control and detail work beyond an ordinary move-out clean. For a vacant rental that needs a documented reset, TurnOver LA's one-bedroom Make Ready is $255, and it includes the deep clean plus a 12-point photo report.
That difference matters when comparing quotes. A cleaner may quote only labor for a kitchen and bath, while a turnover scope needs interior cabinets, appliance surfaces, floors, fixtures, and evidence of the finished condition. For studios, TurnOver LA Make Ready is $225. For two bedrooms it is $335, and for three bedrooms or larger it is $425. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Why can two LA cleaning quotes look so different?
A quote can describe the same apartment while covering very different work. The first question is whether the cleaner is pricing a routine visit, a move-out deep clean, or a vacant-unit turnover. Routine cleaning usually maintains a lived-in home. A turnover clean assumes the next resident, leasing agent, or owner will inspect every visible surface after the previous resident has left.
Access conditions also change the job. A fourth-floor walk-up in Koreatown with no parking plan, a unit with a full refrigerator left behind, or a bathroom with hard-water buildup requires more crew time than an empty, maintained apartment. The same is true when cleaners must wait for keys, power, or water. Ask what rooms, appliance interiors, cabinet interiors, and floor edges are included before comparing the bottom line.
TurnOver LA's deep cleaning service is appropriate when cleaning is the main need. If the unit also needs a condition record for an owner or manager, the Make Ready scope is usually clearer because the photo report is built in.
What does a turnover-level deep clean actually cover?
A turnover clean is a sequence, not just a list of sprays and wipes. The crew should remove loose debris first, then work high to low so dust does not settle on finished floors. Kitchens need special attention because grease around the range, hood, cabinet pulls, and backsplash can make an otherwise clean unit look neglected. Bathrooms need a separate pass for soap film, mineral buildup, grout lines, toilets, and ventilation surfaces.
A practical turnover cleaning sequence includes:
- Photograph visible pre-existing conditions before work begins.
- Empty and wipe interior cabinets, drawers, closets, and appliance compartments.
- Degrease kitchen touchpoints and clean the range, sink, counters, and backsplash.
- Treat bathrooms for soap residue, scale, grout buildup, and hair.
- Detail floor edges, baseboards, switches, doors, and high-touch hardware.
- Complete a final walk-through under working lights and document the result.
This is why a checklist is more useful than a vague promise to clean deeply. See the fuller apartment turnover checklist and the room-specific guidance on move-out cleaning in Los Angeles before you set the scope.
When should cleaning be combined with Make Ready work?
Combine work when cleaning will expose issues that must be fixed before showing the unit. Scuffs become obvious after walls are wiped, a missing outlet cover appears after furniture is removed, and a leaking trap may be discovered while the vanity is cleaned. Booking separate vendors for each surprise can turn a simple cleaning into several access appointments.
For a one-bedroom, TurnOver LA's Make Ready is $255 for the deep clean and 12-point photo report. If the inspection finds wall damage, a small drywall patch and texture is $150 per patch. Paint touch-up only is $200. Those are separate line items, and paint, parts, or fixtures needed for the job are identified at the on-site inspection and added only with approval.
This approach keeps cleaning from hiding repair decisions. It also avoids treating a dirty wall as an automatic repaint. Review apartment wall scuff removal before ordering paint, since many marks can be cleaned while other marks require touch-up. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Need the walls done before you re-list?
Turnover painting, scuff removal and patching, with a photo record of the condition we left behind.
$395 per room · 48-hour turnaround
Get an instant quoteIs $50 an hour too much for house cleaning in LA?
An hourly number alone does not say whether a cleaning quote is fair. At $50 an hour, two workers for three hours is already $300 before parking, supplies, travel, insurance, and any detailed appliance or bathroom work. That may be reasonable for an occupied home with a defined task list. It is less useful for a vacant rental when no one can state what completion looks like or who returns if a room is missed.
For turnover work, compare a defined scope and completion standard instead of trying to reconstruct a flat quote into hours. Confirm whether the price includes supplies, how access is handled, whether the unit is vacant, and whether the cleaner will flag damage rather than clean around it. TurnOver LA quotes cover labor and the crew's own supplies. Materials such as paint, replacement parts, or fixtures are not assumed into the cleaning price.
A unit sitting vacant can lose roughly $80 to $200 per day depending on the LA submarket. A cheap quote that adds a day of scheduling friction can cost more than it saves. The guide to vacancy loss for property managers in Los Angeles explains how to evaluate that tradeoff.
Which cleaning agents are appropriate for a rental turnover?
The best agent depends on the surface and soil, not a top-10 list copied from a consumer roundup. Degreaser belongs in a greasy kitchen, a bathroom descaler belongs on mineral buildup, and a neutral cleaner is safer for many finished floors. Mixing products casually is a safety problem, especially bleach with ammonia or acids. Labels, ventilation, gloves, and dwell time matter as much as the product choice.
A crew should use separate cloths and tools for kitchens, bathrooms, and floors to prevent cross-contamination. They should also test sensitive surfaces such as natural stone, old cabinet finishes, and painted trim in a discreet area before applying stronger products. For smoke or pet odor, surface cleaning may not solve the source. Odor trapped in soft materials, HVAC components, or subflooring may require a separate plan.
The operational standard is simple: use the mildest effective agent, document damage before attempting aggressive removal, and never disguise a repair issue as a cleaning issue. For lingering odor decisions, see how to remove smoke smell from an apartment.
What is the 5-5-5 rule, and does it work for turnovers?
The so-called 5-5-5 rule is a personal cleaning habit, not a turnover standard. It usually means spending five minutes on a small task, removing five items, or doing five quick actions to prevent clutter from growing. It can help an occupied household keep up with daily mess, but it is not enough for a move-out inspection or lease-ready presentation.
Vacant units need a room-by-room standard because there is no resident present to explain a stain, retrieve an item, or approve a repair. Start with access and condition photos, clean the unit, then conduct a final inspection for missed debris, damaged finishes, appliance condition, and security items. If the lock must be changed, TurnOver LA can handle a full apartment rekey for up to two locks at $150.
Do not charge a departing tenant based on a cleaning shortcut or ordinary use. California deposit rules distinguish reasonable cleaning and repair from normal wear. Review California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide before making deposit deductions.
How can you keep the cleaning scope from growing after booking?
Send accurate photos, disclose whether the unit is occupied, and identify access restrictions before the appointment. Mention heavy grease, pet odor, trash, damaged drywall, nonworking utilities, or a refrigerator left full. None of those conditions are reasons to avoid cleaning. They are reasons to define the work correctly at the beginning.
On site, separate three buckets: cleaning, repairs, and materials. Cleaning returns surfaces to a presentable condition. Repairs correct damage or failed items. Materials are the paint, parts, and fixtures that need approval before installation. This separation gives landlords a clearer record and prevents a cleaning invoice from becoming a catchall.
For a vacant unit that needs cleaning and proof of completion, select the Make Ready scope. For cleaning only, start with the deep-cleaning service quote flow. TurnOver LA uses a flat 48-hour turnaround on every job, with no rush or same-day upcharge. Get instant quote in 30 seconds