Quick answer: A proper LA apartment deep cleaning covers kitchen and bath detailing, interiors of fridge and oven, baseboards, switch plates, blinds, vents, and floor detailing, plus a 12-point photo report. TurnOver LA charges $225 for studios, $255 for 1BR, $335 for 2BR, and $425 for 3BR+. Standard turnaround is 48 hours.
A deep cleaning apartment in LA means a room-by-room reset to ready-to-show condition, not a light tidy. At TurnOver LA, deep cleaning is our Make Ready service. It includes interior appliances, cabinet exteriors, grout and calcium removal in baths, window tracks, baseboards, and floor detailing, with a 12-point photo report for your file. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
What does a deep cleaning apartment consist of in LA rentals?
A real turnover deep clean addresses all high-touch and high-gross areas that create objections during showings. Expect full kitchen and bath detailing, interior of fridge and oven, cabinet exteriors, counters and splash, window tracks, blinds, light fixtures, switch and outlet plates, baseboards, door faces and jambs, closet shelves and rods, and floor detailing. We vacuum and mop, lift rugs if present, and edge-clean where walls meet floors. We do not rearrange furniture in occupied units, but for vacant turnover we move lightweight items to reach dust lines. You also get a 12-point photo report that documents before and after, handy for deposits and internal QA. Scope is designed around LA rental expectations.
How much does a deep cleaning cost in Los Angeles and what affects price?
Our Make Ready pricing is flat by unit size. Studio $225. One bedroom $255. Two bedroom $335. Three bedroom or larger $425. These prices reflect a 48-hour turnaround citywide, including Koreatown, Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Downtown. The main factors that affect time on site are level of soil, appliance condition, and bathroom scale buildup. You do not pay more for a tougher clean, since the flat price protects your vacancy math. If we discover work outside cleaning, like drywall patches or repaint, we quote those per our catalog so you can decide fast and avoid extra days of vacancy. If a junk haul is needed before cleaning, we apply our cleanout rates by unit size and add $200 per extra load when required. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
What rooms and surfaces are included in a turnover deep clean?
Here is the standard apartment scope we run on every Make Ready:
- Kitchen: interior of fridge and freezer with bins and shelves washed, oven interior with racks, stovetop and drip pans, hood and filter wipe, cabinet exteriors and pulls, counters and backsplash, sink and faucet descaled, switch plates, and floors.
- Bathrooms: shower walls, tub or pan, grout and silicone edges wiped, toilet including base bolts, vanity exterior, mirror and glass, faucet aerators descaled, fan cover dusted, and floors.
- Living areas and bedrooms: baseboards, door faces and jambs, closet shelves and rods, light fixtures and bulbs dusted, blinds and window tracks cleaned, switch and outlet plates, and floors.
- Entry and hall: thresholds, peephole glass, door hardware wiped, and scuff marks on walls where removable.
- Laundry area: lint trap and surrounding floor, cabinet exteriors, and hookups wiped.
- Air registers and return grilles vacuumed, surface dust removed.
- Floor detailing: vacuum edges, mop hard floors, and spot treat typical traffic lines.
This scope is consistent across neighborhoods from Mid City to Pasadena.
What is not included in deep cleaning, and what are common add-ons?
Deep cleaning is not a repair service. We do not paint, patch drywall, replace caulk wholesale, steam carpets, or remediate mold. We also do not clean HVAC interiors or ducts, and we do not remove pests. When a unit needs more than cleaning, we triage and price add-ons from our catalog so you can authorize in one pass. Typical add-ons are painting touch-ups at $200, repaint per room at $345, small drywall patch at $150, and medium drywall at $240. If there is debris, our cleanout service is $200 for a studio, $310 for a 1BR, and $420 for a 2BR or 3BR+ with $200 for each extra load. Rekey is available at $150 for a full apartment with up to two locks. This keeps the turnover moving without a second visit.
How long does an apartment turnover deep clean take?
Deep cleaning time depends on size and condition, but most vacant LA apartments land in a 3 to 6 hour window for cleaning itself, not counting paint or repairs. Our operational promise is a flat 48-hour turnaround on every job from booking to completion, no rush or same-day offered because it drives rework. The work order runs in a fixed sequence to avoid dust resettling and double-passes. For example, we start high to low, clean kitchen appliances early so degreasers can dwell while we move through bathrooms, then we detail baseboards and finish with floor edges and a full mop. If you also book painting or handyman services, we schedule those before floors, then run a fast final wipe so you still list on day two. This sequencing is what protects vacancy budgets that run $80 to $200 per day across LA submarkets.
How do deep cleaning standards tie into California security deposits?
In California, cleaning is a permitted deposit deduction when it returns the unit to the level of cleanliness it was in at move-in. The rule lives in California Civil Code §1950.5, which also requires itemized statements and receipts. Landlords now face a deposit cap under AB 12, with most deposits limited to one month’s rent for new leases signed in 2024 and later, so recovery through cleaning charges is more constrained. Good documentation helps. Our 12-point photo report supports your itemization and timing under the 21-day clock. For process basics and timelines, see our guides on the 21-day deposit return and normal wear and tear in California. These resources help you separate removable dirt from true wear, so you charge correctly and avoid disputes.
- Reference: California Civil Code §1950.5
- Reference: AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap
What about pet and smoke odors in LA apartments?
A normal deep clean will remove most cooking and light pet traces. For stubborn odors, the issue is often in soft surfaces, not just dirt. We include fridge and oven interiors, cabinet exteriors, and floor detailing, which cuts a lot of smell fast. If carpets or pads are saturated, you likely need replacement, which falls under maintenance, not cleaning. For smoke, a degrease of hard surfaces and a targeted repaint of nicotine-stained ceilings may be necessary. We cover odor tactics in detail in our LA-focused guides on pet odor removal and smoke smell removal. Use deep cleaning as the first pass, then add paint or replacement where the odor source lives. This staged approach saves money and days.
What is the best sequence for turnover work to avoid rework?
Turnover sequencing matters more than most people admit. Here is the order that reliably avoids rework and keeps you within a 48-hour window:
- Walkthrough and photos. Note paint, patch, cleanout needs.
- Remove debris and junk. Book cleanout if needed.
- Repairs and prep. Patches, caulk, minor hardware adjustments.
- Painting. Touch-ups or full room repaints before final clean.
- Deep cleaning. Full Make Ready scope, then floors last.
- Locks. Rekey after cleaners finish to avoid smudges.
- Final QA and photos. Confirm show-ready condition and list.
Following this plan prevents tracking dust across freshly mopped floors or painting over greasy walls. It also gives you clean, date-stamped proof for your deposit file and marketing media.
Who should handle paint touch-ups or repairs discovered during deep cleaning?
If cleaners find scuffs that will not come off or small wall damage, hand it to a painter or a handyman right away. We price painting touch-ups at $200 and repaint per room at $345, and drywall patches at $150 for small holes or $240 for medium areas. For loose hinges, leaky P-traps, or broken blinds, a maintenance visit is $125, or you can book a half day at $230 if there is a punch list. Booking through our service catalog keeps you in one platform and preserves the 48-hour timeline. If you also need locks changed, a full apartment rekey with up to two locks is $150, or a front and deadbolt set is $110 installed. That locks in keys and keeps listings safe to show.
What detailed tasks do you complete inside each room during deep cleaning?
To be transparent on task order and depth, here is how we work room by room during Make Ready:
- Kitchen: Empty and wash fridge shelves, drawers, and gaskets. Degrease oven with dwell time, clean racks, and wipe behind stove where accessible without disconnecting gas. Scrub stovetop, replace drip pans as needed, wipe hood body and washable filter, clean counters and back splash, polish sink and descale faucet, clean switch plates, and mop.
- Bathroom: Descale shower glass and fixtures, scrub tile and grout, wipe silicone edges, clean vanity exterior and mirror, disinfect toilet including hinge caps and base bolts, vacuum and wipe exhaust fan cover, descale faucet aerator, and mop.
- Living and bedrooms: Dust ceiling corners, wipe fixtures and bulbs, clean blinds and window tracks, wipe doors and jambs, scrub scuffs that are on-paint dirt, clean closet shelves and rods, wipe outlets and switches, baseboards, and then vacuum and mop with a final edge pass.
- Entry: Wipe door hardware and peephole, clean threshold, remove tape residue, and spot-clean scuffs where removable.
We do not remove or reinstall appliances beyond standard pull-forward for access if safe. We do not wash painted walls end to end without authorization because improper washing can damage finishes and create new costs.
How should renters and landlords document deep cleaning for deposits?
Documentation prevents disputes. Take move-out photos that show entire rooms and then tight shots of the worst areas. After cleaning, do the same. Keep receipts and a scope statement. California requires itemization and supporting documentation with any cleaning deduction. Our Make Ready includes a 12-point photo report you can attach to your 21-day letter. If you are a renter, ask for the report copy and compare to your move-in condition. For a structured process, see our deposit return and wear-and-tear guides linked below. If you need to turn and list immediately, consider booking our Launch Pad media package so your listing goes live as soon as the cleaners walk out. Get instant quote in 30 seconds.
Where do related services plug into deep cleaning on a typical LA turn?
Deep cleaning is the anchor, but fast turns often need two more pieces. If walls are worn, pair cleaning with painting and drywall so you remove yellowing and scuffs that will not wash off. If the unit has maintenance issues, add a handyman visit to clear leaks, door rub, closet tracks, and outlet covers. If there is leftover furniture or trash, run a cleanout before cleaning. If security is a concern, rekey right after cleaners finish so agents can show safely. Finally, add the Launch Pad listing media package so your marketing is live same day. Each of these can be booked alongside Make Ready for a single 48-hour plan.
- Make Ready deep clean: see the service page for scope and photos.
- Painting and drywall work: good for nicotine staining or heavy scuffs.
- Handyman maintenance: clear punch lists in one visit.
- Cleanout and junk haul: remove debris before cleaners arrive.
- Locks and rekey: secure showings post-clean.
- Launch Pad media: photos and floor plan assets for your listing.
For a step-by-step turnover outline, see our LA apartment turnover checklist. For what a Make Ready means in property terms, see our make-ready guide. Both are written for LA conditions so your pricing and timelines line up with local expectations.