How much should I charge for move-out cleaning in LA?

Quick answer: Across Los Angeles, most move-out cleanings run $200 to $550 depending on size and condition. TurnOver LA’s flat Make Ready rates are Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, and 3BR $425, each including a deep clean and a 12-point photo report with a 48-hour turnaround. That timeline helps cap vacancy loss.

If you are charging for a move-out clean in LA, a fair market range is $200 to $550 for most apartments. TurnOver LA prices this work as a flat Make Ready by unit type: Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR $425, which includes a deep clean and a 12-point photo report, completed in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

What should you charge for move-out cleaning in LA?

Across LA, the typical one-time move-out clean runs $200 to $550, based on size, condition, and scope. Hiring hourly cleaners at $35 to $60 per hour is common, but move-out work is task-heavy and variable. TurnOver LA keeps it flat by unit type so you can budget and bill confidently. Our Make Ready pricing is Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR $425. Each includes deep cleaning and a 12-point photo report that supports deposit deductions under California Civil Code. For example, a Koreatown 1BR usually pencils at $255 with a 48-hour completion window, which also helps minimize vacancy loss while you schedule paint or minor repairs in parallel.

How do size and condition change the rate you should charge?

Two drivers set your price: square footage and condition. Empty, broom-clean units take less time than heavily lived-in apartments with grease, scale, and appliance buildup. Typical LA market pricing jumps by $75 to $150 as you move up a bedroom size, and severe soil can add another $100 to $200. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready pricing stays fixed by unit type, which removes the guesswork for owners and managers:

If the unit needs more than cleaning, like paint touch-up or drywall patching, price those as separate line items. TurnOver LA offers Paint touch-up only $200, Repainting per room $395, Small drywall patch + texture $150 per patch, and Medium drywall repair $240 per patch. Keeping cleaning and repairs separated makes your deposit accounting cleaner and compliant.

What is included in a true move-out clean for rentals?

A proper move-out clean goes deeper than a standard maid visit. To avoid disputes and rework, make sure the following tasks are covered and photographed before and after:

1. Kitchen degrease, including inside the oven, stovetop, hood filters, and behind stove if movable.
2. Refrigerator interior detail, shelves and bins removed, drip tray and door gaskets cleaned.
3. Cabinets and drawers vacuumed and wiped inside and out, including handles and toe kicks.
4. Bathroom descaling, grout scrub, tub and shower walls, faucet aerators cleaned, mirrors streak-free.
5. Baseboards, door casings, switch plates, and outlet covers wiped.
6. Light fixtures and vents dusted and cleaned, dead bulbs noted for replacement.
7. Closets, tracks, and shelves vacuumed and wiped.
8. Windowsills and interior glass spot cleaned, sliding door tracks scrubbed.
9. Floors vacuumed and hard floors detailed, including edges and under appliances if accessible.
10. Final touch pass for smudges, fingerprints, and debris at entry and common touch points.

TurnOver LA’s Make Ready package includes this deep clean plus a 12-point photo report that documents condition for your file. If you are new to turnovers, see our step list in the Apartment Turnover Checklist at /guides/apartment-turnover-checklist and definitions in What Is Make Ready at /guides/what-is-make-ready.

Flat fee or hourly: which pricing works better for LA rentals?

Hourly cleaning at $35 to $60 can look cheaper, but move-out work has too many unknowns. You carry the overage risk if a greasy oven or hard-water scale doubles the time. Flat fees by unit size shift that risk to the vendor, and they make security deposit math easier. TurnOver LA uses flat Make Ready rates per unit type, plus clear add-ons when you need paint, patches, or handyman tasks. As a landlord, that lets you itemize cleaning on the deposit return and keep labor, paint, and repairs separate. For a deeper breakdown of deposit timing and documentation, see /guides/california-21-day-deposit-return.

Comparison snapshot:

Are professional move-out cleaners worth it for landlords?

Yes when you weigh vacancy loss. Across LA submarkets, a vacant day costs roughly $80 to $200. If a flat-fee, 48-hour Make Ready gets you listed or shown two days sooner, you often save $160 to $400 in lost rent, which can exceed the cleaning bill on smaller units. TurnOver LA delivers every job in 48 hours with no rush upcharge. That speed matters in competitive neighborhoods like Santa Monica or West Hollywood where weekend showings drive most applications. The included photo report also reduces deposit disputes, which saves staff time and avoids chargeback risk. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

How does security deposit law affect what you can charge?

California Civil Code allows deducting for cleaning needed to restore a unit to the level of cleanliness at move-in. You must itemize and return any remainder within 21 days. See the statute at California Civil Code §1950.5 and the overview in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide. In LA, RSO units have additional rules and deposit interest, see LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Also review AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap, which tightens how much you can collect, especially for smaller owners. In practice, that means overcharging for cleaning can crowd out recovery for paint or damage. Use a clear cleaning line item and keep separate invoices for painting and repairs so you can comply and defend deductions if challenged.

What if the unit also needs paint, patches, or handyman work?

Bundle carefully, bill separately. In LA, repaint scope depends on wear, sunlight, and smoking or pet odors. Typical market repainting can land in the hundreds per room. TurnOver LA itemizes this work:

• Paint touch-up only: $200
• Repainting per room: $395 per room
• Ceilings and baseboard or trim: $125
• Small drywall patch + texture: $150 per patch
• Medium drywall repair: $240 per patch
• Half-day handyman punch list: $230, Full-day: $425

If junk left behind prevents cleaning, add Unit cleanout or junk haul at $500, plus $500 per additional load if needed. Locks should be rekeyed on tenant turn. We offer Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks at $150, or Rekey first lock $100 and Additional lock $50. Keeping these separate from the Make Ready lets you recover each item correctly and keeps the cleaning scope focused.

For scope control, schedule cleaning day one, paint and patches day two. Our 48-hour window is designed so the unit is ready to photograph by day three using the TLA Launch Pad Media Package at $399, which is priced as a single bundle across all listing photos and media.

What will a cleaner do in 3 hours, and is $50 an hour good in LA?

A solo cleaner at $50 per hour can usually finish a light studio move-out in about 3 to 4 labor hours if the oven and bath are moderate. A 1BR with heavy grease or scale can easily double that. Hourly work can be fine for spot issues, but for full turnovers, flat fees give better control and deposit documentation. For reference, TurnOver LA’s Make Ready for a 1BR is $255, a 2BR is $335, and a 3BR is $425, including the inside of appliances, cabinets, drawers, baseboards, and a 12-point photo report. That predictability is the main reason managers move away from hourly billing on move-outs.

How do you avoid vacancy loss while keeping costs tight?

Vacancy carries the biggest cost on turns. In Downtown LA or Koreatown at mid-market rents, a single day can run $120 to $160. In Westside neighborhoods it can be $180 to $200. Three levers help:

• Pre-schedule access. Confirm fobs, elevator reservations, and parking so crews do not burn time on arrival.
• Lock in flat-fee cleaning. Our Studio $225, 1BR $255, 2BR $335, 3BR $425 Make Ready is structured to finish in 48 hours with no rush fee.
• Sequence trades. Cleaning first, then paint or patches, then listing media. Book the TLA Launch Pad Media Package at $399 for fast go-to-market.

If odors are present, decide early. Heavy smoke or pet odors can require extra steps beyond cleaning. See our guides on pet odors at /guides/pet-odor-removal-apartment-los-angeles and smoke at /guides/how-to-remove-smoke-smell-from-apartment so you do not lose a week trial-and-error cleaning what actually needs sealing or repaint.

What should you include on the invoice or deposit itemization?

Keep the paper trail clear so you can meet the 21-day deadline and reduce dispute risk:

• Line 1: Make Ready cleaning with date and unit type rate.
• Line 2: Repairs like drywall patches with quantities.
• Line 3: Painting as its own room count or touch-up.
• Line 4: Cleanout or junk haul if required, by load.
• Line 5: Rekey as its own line.

Attach photo documentation. TurnOver LA’s 12-point photo report is structured to align with allowable cleaning deductions. For RSO units or stricter jurisdictions like Santa Monica, clear documentation is critical. Review normal wear rules at /guides/normal-wear-and-tear-california and deposit interest at /guides/california-security-deposit-interest.

When should you upsell add-ons like rekey or junk haul?

Use add-ons when they remove blockers to a same-week listing:

• Rekey before showings for safety. Choose Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks at $150, or Rekey first lock at $100 and each Additional lock at $50.
• If the unit is full of trash or furniture, schedule Unit cleanout or junk haul at $500 so cleaners can reach surfaces.
• If walls are scuffed but not damaged, Paint touch-up only at $200 is usually faster than repainting a room.

These items are not cleaning, so list them separately. If you need broader punch repairs, our General maintenance or safety visit is $125, or choose a Half-day handyman punch at $230 to capture common issues like loose cabinets, sliders, and drippy faucets. Get instant quote in 30 seconds

Are move-out cleaning services worth it if you do in-house turns?

If you have in-house staff, use pro cleaning for peak weeks or late notices. The economics are simple. If outsourcing avoids one extra vacant day, you often save $80 to $200, which can match or exceed a studio or 1BR Make Ready cost delta compared with in-house labor. Plus you gain third-party photos for the file. For listing speed, our 48-hour completion pairs well with the Launch Pad Media Package at $399, and you can book everything in one go from our Make Ready service page at /services/make-ready and schedule paint or repairs at /services/painting.

To see how these pieces fit on a full turn, check our property manager overview at /guides/property-managers-vacancy-loss-los-angeles and the cost breakdowns at /guides/apartment-turnover-cost-los-angeles. When you are ready to set your price or outsource a unit, use our flat rates and add-ons, booked in under a minute. Get instant quote in 30 seconds