Quick answer: Across California, move-out cleans typically cost $150 to $600 depending on size and condition. Studios often land around $150 to $300, 1BRs $200 to $400, 2BRs $275 to $550, and larger units $400 to $800. TurnOver LA charges a flat $225 for a studio, $255 for a 1BR, $335 for a 2BR, and $425 for 3BR or larger, with a 48-hour turnaround.
Move-out cleaning in California varies by square footage, grime level, and access. The market ranges above are what renters and landlords commonly see. TurnOver LA anchors this with flat Make Ready pricing by unit size and a 48-hour standard, which limits vacancy loss and gives you a 12-point photo report you can attach to your deposit accounting. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What does a move-out clean cost in California today?
Most California apartments will price out between $150 and $600 for a move-out clean, with the low end covering light studios and the high end covering larger, high-use units or heavy pet wear. In LA, additional cost pressure comes from parking, elevators, and building rules. Here is how typical market pricing compares to TurnOver LA’s flat rates for Make Ready.
| Unit size | Typical CA market cost | TurnOver LA Make Ready | 48-hour included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $150 to $300 | $225 | Yes |
| 1 Bedroom | $200 to $400 | $255 | Yes |
| 2 Bedroom | $275 to $550 | $335 | Yes |
| 3BR or larger | $400 to $800 | $425 | Yes |
If trash outs, paint touch-ups, or rekeys are also needed, your total invoice will rise. Keep those costs separate from cleaning so your deposit accounting stays clean and compliant.
What is included in a professional move-out cleaning?
A real move-out clean targets every surface a new tenant will touch, plus the grease traps and dust pockets that fail a move-in walk. Expect kitchen degrease, oven and stovetop detail, fridge interior, cabinet interiors, sink and grout scrub, bath tile and glass descaling, toilet sanitation, baseboard and trim wipe, door and switch plate wipe, mirror polish, vent dusting, and floor detail. Windows are typically interior pane and tracks only unless the unit specifies otherwise.
TurnOver LA’s Make Ready includes that full deep clean plus a 12-point photo report for documentation and leasing. If the last tenant left items behind, pair it with our junk haul service. If you are new to the term, see our explanations in What is Make Ready? and the LA-specific Move-out cleaning guide.
Can a California landlord charge for cleaning after move-out?
Yes, if the cleaning is to restore the unit to the same level of cleanliness it had at move-in, excluding normal wear and tear. California Civil Code §1950.5 allows deducting for cleaning to return a unit to its move-in condition and requires returning the security deposit balance within 21 days with an itemized statement and receipts. See the statute at California Civil Code §1950.5 and the summary in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide.
Dirt and grime are not wear and tear. Worn carpet traffic lanes or sun-faded paint are wear and tear. For more, see our guides on normal wear and tear in California and the 21-day deposit return rule.
How do Los Angeles neighborhoods affect cleaning cost and scheduling?
Clean price is mostly size and condition, but LA logistics add friction. In Koreatown, elevator reservations, loading zones, and towing risk push crews to arrive within narrow windows. In Santa Monica or West Hollywood, HOA rules and parking enforcement can extend site time. None of that changes our flat price, but it can change how we stage the day.
The real money is time. Every extra day vacant costs roughly $80 to $200 in lost rent depending on submarket. A 48-hour standard helps you list earlier and reduce showings bleed. If you manage buildings across LA’s westside and Downtown, align clean, paint, and lock work in one 48-hour window and you will see fewer slip days. You can also reference specific building rules on your order at checkout.
For neighborhood specifics, see our area notes for Santa Monica.
How much time should you budget, and what does 48 hours save in vacancy loss?
Most unfurnished apartments clean in 3 to 6 crew hours on site, but the number that matters is calendar hours to photo-ready. With TurnOver LA, Make Ready completes within 48 hours of booking, which reduces vacancy loss. If your unit would otherwise sit three extra days waiting for a slot, at $120 per day average loss, fast scheduling saves $360 that week.
Pair cleaning with fast paint touch-ups or a lock rekey in the same 48-hour window, then publish your listing photos right after. The faster you post, the sooner you fill showings. If you need a firm slot, choose the first available during booking. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What add-ons increase a move-out invoice and what do they cost?
Across LA, market add-ons like junk haul can range $150 to $500 by load, touch-up paint $150 to $350, and lock work $100 to $300. TurnOver LA’s catalog is flat and published.
- Unit cleanout and junk haul: Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420. Additional junk load is $200 per load.
- Paint touch-up only: $200. Full repaint runs $395 per room. Ceilings and trim add $125, and cabinet or shelving sand and repaint is $135.
- Handyman punch lists: General maintenance visit $125, half-day $230, full day $425.
- Locks and security: Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks is $150. A front plus deadbolt rekey is $110. A smart lock install is $210. Door knob replacement is $100 per knob.
- Listing media: Our TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399.
Keep cleaning and repairs on separate line items in your deposit accounting. That is cleaner for compliance under the 21-day rule and for any dispute review in the California Tenants Guide.
What is the 80 to 20 rule in house cleaning and does it apply at move-out?
The 80 to 20 rule, also called the Pareto principle, says that 80 percent of results come from 20 percent of effort. In move-out cleaning, that 20 percent is kitchens and baths, oven and fridge interiors, and floors. For lived-in units, that work gets you most of the visual improvement quickly.
For deposit compliance and leasing photos, you cannot stop at 80 percent. Baseboards, switches, interior windows, and cabinet interiors matter to both new tenant impressions and deposit disputes. A proper Make Ready hits all of it in one pass. See our detailed cleaning scope in the Make Ready deep clean service description.
How do you estimate your unit’s cost without an in-person walk?
Use this simple pre-walk method. It aligns closely with actual invoices and saves time.
- Unit size by bedroom count and baths. This sets the base clean price.
- Appliance condition. If oven and fridge are heavy with baked-on grease or spills, note that as heavy soil.
- Cabinets and closets. If they need interior wipe, plan for full interior condition.
- Pet factors. Pet hair and odor add time. Consider odor treatment if needed, then clean.
- Access and parking. Elevators, loading zones, and strict HOAs can extend total time on site.
- Left-behind items. Add junk haul if there is any furniture, trash bags, or mattresses.
For odor issues, see our guides on pet odor removal and removing smoke smell.
Is there a new California law about real estate photography for rental listings?
There is no special statewide photography law that recently changed how landlords can market rentals. Rights and usage are governed by your agreement with the photographer and general copyright. If you do not have current photos for relisting after a turnover, TurnOver LA’s TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399, shot right after cleaning. Publish faster, reduce days vacant, and keep your listing fresh.
If you manage RSO units, check the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance for disclosure and notice rules unrelated to photos.
What is the fastest way to book a compliant move-out clean in LA?
Book Make Ready online, attach your move-in photos, and list any specific spots to document. We will clean the unit, deliver a 12-point photo report, and complete within 48 hours. If you also need junk haul, paint touch-ups, or a rekey, select those add-ons so we can stack the visit. That sequence keeps your deposit accounting clean and your days vacant low. Get instant quote in 30 seconds