Quick answer: Across LA, a professional 1BR move-out clean typically costs $300 to $600. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is $255 for a 1BR ($225 studio, $335 2BR, $425 3BR) with a 48-hour turnaround. A proper move-out clean covers kitchen and bath detailing, inside appliances and cabinets, baseboards, interior glass, floors, and final touch points. We include a 12-point photo report for deposit documentation.
A move-out cleaning service should return the unit to ready-to-show condition. That means degreasing the kitchen, sanitizing bathrooms, cleaning inside appliances and cabinets, dusting blinds and fixtures, wiping baseboards and switch plates, washing interior windows, and detailing floors. For landlords, this is the baseline to re-list quickly and document condition for deposit accounting. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What does a professional move-out cleaning include in LA apartments?
A true move-out clean is heavier and more detailed than routine maid service. The focus is condition reset and documentation, not just shine. In LA apartments we standardize it so leasing can start same day the unit dries. Here is the typical scope you should expect, room by room, with the landlord’s handoff in mind:
- Kitchen degrease: cooktop, backsplash, counters, sink, faucet, and exterior of all appliances
- Inside appliances: oven racks and panels, microwave cavity and filter, refrigerator shelves, bins, and gasket wipe
- Cabinets and drawers: interiors vacuumed and wiped, faces cleaned, pulls degreased
- Bathroom sanitize: tub or shower walls and floor, grout detail, toilet in and out, vanity, sink, faucet, and mirror
- Hard surface dust-down: door tops, trim, window sills, blinds, vents, light fixtures, fans
- Baseboards and corners: hand wiped, cobweb removal throughout
- Switch plates and door hardware: fingerprints and smudges removed
- Interior windows and sliding doors: glass cleaned, tracks vacuumed and wiped where accessible
- Floors: vacuum and mop, edge detailing along baseboards, floor residue removal from tape or stickers
- Final touch pass: spot marks on walls noted for paint, odor check, and staging to neutral
- Trash removal from cleaning work, plus bag-out to building bins
- Documentation photos of pre and post condition for records
TurnOver LA’s Make Ready includes this deep clean and a 12-point photo report to support deposit and marketing. Floor detailing is included in Make Ready. If you need drywall or paint items discovered during clean, our crews can price and execute them immediately so you do not lose days.
How much does a move-out clean cost in California, and how does TurnOver LA compare?
Across California and in LA specifically, market pricing for move-out deep cleaning is usually flat by bedroom count. For a typical LA one bedroom, you will see $300 to $600 depending on soil level, parking, and elevator distance. Two bedrooms often land between $400 and $750. Three bedrooms are commonly $550 to $900. Many vendors quote wider windows when appliances and interiors are included.
TurnOver LA’s pricing is fixed and published with a 48-hour turnaround and no rush fee. Here is the contrast by unit size:
| Unit size | LA market range | TurnOver LA Make Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $250 to $450 | $225 |
| 1 Bedroom | $300 to $600 | $255 |
| 2 Bedroom | $400 to $750 | $335 |
| 3BR or larger | $550 to $900 | $425 |
Make Ready includes the deep clean plus a 12-point photo report. If you also need junk removed before cleaning, compare the market at $200 to $500 per load to our Unit cleanout line: Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420. You can bundle cleanout and Make Ready in one visit.
For scope details and when to use a Make Ready versus a light maid service, see our guide: What is a Make Ready.
Can a landlord charge you for cleaning after you move out in California?
Yes, if the cleaning is needed to restore the unit to the level of cleanliness it had at move-in, beyond ordinary wear and tear. California Civil Code §1950.5 allows landlords to deduct for cleaning to return the unit to the same level it was at move-in, and for repair of damage beyond normal wear. Deductions must be itemized, and the deposit return packet must include receipts or a good faith estimate if work is not complete within 21 days.
Review the statute here: California Civil Code §1950.5. The state overview is in the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide. Timelines and documentation requirements are explained in our guide: California 21-day deposit return. For new leases after July 1, 2024, most residential deposits are capped at one month under AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap, which makes precise cleaning documentation even more important.
What is included in TurnOver LA’s Make Ready, and how is it different from standard maid service?
Standard maid service targets visible dust and floors. TurnOver LA’s Make Ready is built for turnover outcomes: showing readiness, deposit documentation, and minimizing vacancy days. The scope includes inside appliances and cabinet interiors, baseboards and fixtures, interior glass, and floor detailing. We also stage the unit neutrally after cleaning so photos or tours can begin the moment it dries.
Differences that matter in LA operations:
- 12-point photo report included for condition and deposit files
- Inside oven, fridge, and microwave always included
- Floor detailing included within Make Ready
- Notes on paint or repair needs captured during clean and priced same day if you choose our painting and drywall service or a handyman punch list
- Flat 48-hour turnaround on every job, no rush upcharge
If the unit also needs lock changes or a cleanout before cleaning, we can add locks and security or cleanout and junk haul on the same ticket.
What is the 80/20 rule in house cleaning, and does it apply to turnovers?
The 80/20 rule says 80 percent of results come from 20 percent of effort. For a lived-in weekly clean this can be fine. For a vacancy turnover it is risky. Leasing photos and fair deposit accounting demand a 100 percent pass of kitchens, baths, inside appliances, cabinet interiors, baseboards, interior glass, and floors. Small misses cause re-cleans, extra show trips, and deposit disputes.
Our approach covers 100 percent of critical surfaces, then a focused final touch pass to catch edges and smudges that a wide pass misses. This is how we hit LA’s vacancy targets while keeping cleaning deductions defensible under the state’s deposit rules. See our companion guide: Move-out cleaning Los Angeles.
What timeline should you expect for a proper LA move-out clean?
Plan a 48-hour window door to door. Day 1 is the clean itself. Day 2 is drying, inspection, and any same-day add-ons like paint touch-up or a handyman pass. We schedule keys and elevator times so cleaners are not stuck waiting. There is no rush fee at TurnOver LA, we deliver the same 48-hour turnaround across all jobs.
If you are in a high-traffic leasing area like Koreatown or West Hollywood where vacancy loss runs $120 to $200 per day, locking this window matters. Start your clock with an instant estimate and a locked slot: Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What add-ons are common after a move-out clean, and what do they cost in LA versus TurnOver LA?
Cleaning exposes paint scuffs, drywall dings, and small safety defects. Across LA, add-on pricing varies. Here is the market context, then our published rates so you can budget without guesswork:
- Paint touch-up: LA market $200 to $350. TurnOver LA is $200.
- Repainting per room: LA market $350 to $700 per room. TurnOver LA is $395 per room. Ceilings and baseboard or trim add $125.
- Small drywall patch with texture: LA market $150 to $275. TurnOver LA is $150 per patch. Medium drywall repair is $240 per patch.
- Handyman punch list: LA market $250 to $600. TurnOver LA is $230 for a half day or $425 for a full day. A general maintenance or safety visit is $125.
- Locks and keys: LA market $120 to $220 for rekey. TurnOver LA options include Rekey first lock $100, Full apartment rekey up to 2 locks $150, Lock rekey front plus deadbolt $110, Additional rekey $50 per lock, Door knob or handle replacement $100 per knob, Smart lock install $210.
- Cleanout and junk haul before cleaning: LA market $200 to $500 per load. TurnOver LA unit cleanout is Studio $200, 1 Bedroom $310, 2 Bedroom $420, 3BR or larger $420. Additional junk load is $200 per load.
If you are re-listing immediately, our TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399 and pairs well with a fresh Make Ready.
What stains or odors are not solved by cleaning, and what is the next step?
Cleaning removes soil and organic residue. Some conditions need more. Nicotine-stained walls, deep pet urine in subfloor, or cooking oil polymerization may require repainting, sealing, or targeted odor work. After Make Ready we assess and, if needed, quote paint touch-up or full repaint, plus cabinet sanding and repaint for sticky surfaces.
For odor strategy, see our guides: How to remove smoke smell from apartment and Pet odor removal in LA apartments. Cleaning first, then paint and seal as needed, keeps costs contained and deposit deductions documented.
How does cleaning tie into deposit law and documentation in LA?
California requires a 21-day deposit accounting window. You must include itemized deductions with receipts or estimates if work is pending. A photo log of pre and post condition is the simplest way to show why cleaning or repair was required and that it went beyond normal wear and tear. Our 12-point photo report ships with every Make Ready for that reason.
For the baseline law, read California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California Tenants Guide. Also see our primers on normal wear and tear in California and California 21-day deposit return. If your unit is under the city’s rent rules, the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance page has program details.
What is the fastest way to get a unit show ready without losing days?
Bundle the clean with quick-turn add-ons. Typical LA sequence: Day 1 junk haul if needed, then Make Ready clean. Day 2 paint touch-ups, a half-day handyman list, and locks. Start photos as soon as floors are dry using the $399 Launch Pad media add-on. This two-day stack reduces vacancy loss that often runs $80 to $200 per day in many LA submarkets.
You can lock a 48-hour handoff with real pricing in under a minute. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What does a tenant or manager need to do before the cleaners arrive?
Preparation shortens the cleaning window and avoids re-cleans. Empty the unit or schedule a cleanout. Remove last trash and personal items from cabinets and drawers. Confirm water and power are on. Reserve elevator time where required. Provide access instructions and parking notes. If the fridge is unplugged, prop doors open to avoid mildew. Leave the oven racks in place so degreasing can run efficiently.
For a complete process map and handoff timing, use our apartment turnover checklist. If you manage multiple doors, our notes on vacancy loss for LA property managers can help you plan the stack.