Quick answer: Make-ready priority is the way you rank vacant units so the highest-impact turns happen first. Most LA teams run three tiers: Priority 1 for pre-leased or high-loss units, Priority 2 for ready-to-show units, and Priority 3 for non-urgent work. It reduces vacancy loss, keeps deposit timelines clean, and prevents crews from tripping over each other.
Make-ready priority means you decide the order of turns by business impact, not who yelled last. In Los Angeles, that usually starts with signed move-ins, pre-leases, show-ready availability, access constraints, and the scope of work. With a clear triage you get the right trade in the right unit on the right day. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What does make-ready priority mean in practice?
Make-ready priority is a simple triage that tells your crews which door to hit first when more than one unit is vacant. Priority 1 units are those with a signed lease or a realistic move-in date. Priority 2 units are show-first candidates that can start generating leads now. Priority 3 units are longer-hold or construction-heavy turns that will not lease this week.
In LA buildings, this is less theory and more scheduling. Elevators book up, loading zones are tight, and access windows can be narrow. A Priority 1 in Downtown LA with a Friday move-in and a Wednesday elevator reservation will outrank a quiet vacancy in Mid City. The goal is no idle days, no stacked trades, and no late deposit letters.
How should LA landlords set make-ready priority tiers?
Three tiers are enough for most small portfolios. Use clear criteria so your cleaner, painter, and handyman see the same board you do. Here is a practical model you can deploy today.
| Priority tier | When to use it | Target sequence and timing | Typical add-ons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority 1 | Signed lease, move-in within 3 to 5 days, or high vacancy loss | Day 1 clean and safety, Day 2 paint and punch. 48 hours total. | Rekey, paint touch-ups, small drywall patch |
| Priority 2 | Show-first units with strong leasing demand | Clean first, then minor paint. Photos after clean. | Launch Pad media, minor handyman |
| Priority 3 | No near-term move-in, construction-heavy, access limited | Schedule by trade availability and access. | Medium drywall, cabinet repaint, larger punch list |
TurnOver LA works inside this model with a flat 48-hour turnaround on every job, no rush fee. You set the tier, we stack the tasks to hit it.
What factors should decide priority when multiple units turn at once?
When two or more units are empty, use a short scoring pass. Weight each factor 1 to 3 and total the points.
- Signed move-in date or pre-lease status (3 points if signed within 7 days)
- Vacancy loss risk in the submarket (3 points if you are eating $150 to $200 per day, common in Santa Monica and West Hollywood)
- Access and logistics (2 to 3 points if freight elevator, valet, or security booking is required)
- Scope complexity (1 point for clean only, 2 for clean plus paint, 3 for multi-trade repair)
- Marketing readiness (2 points if a unit can be photographed and listed immediately)
- Deposit timeline pressure under the 21-day rule (2 points if move-out date is old and you must finalize deductions)
- Utility or vendor dependencies (1 to 2 points if power, gas, or appliance delivery gates the work)
Highest score wins Priority 1. Ties break by signed date or elevator window.
How does make-ready priority shape the schedule and crew order?
Good triage prevents trade conflicts. A Priority 1 typically runs like this: Day 1 morning clean, afternoon safety visit and any small patches, Day 2 paint touch-ups and final punch, then rekey. That sequence keeps paint dust off a fresh clean and puts safety tasks ahead of move-in.
In towers across Downtown LA and Koreatown, freight elevator time controls the day. If paint crews only get a 10 to noon window, cleaning shifts to afternoon. In garden courts in Mar Vista, parking controls vendor overlap, so you might push handyman to the second morning to keep hallways clear. The point of priority is to pick an order, post it, and keep it.
What does a Priority 1 turn include compared to standard?
Priority 1 is not always bigger, it is just sequenced faster and tighter. A typical Priority 1 turn includes a deep clean, safety and habitability checks, paint touch-ups, and minor wall repair, plus locks.
- Deep clean with floor detailing and a 12-point photo report comes from our Make Ready service.
- Paint touch-ups or a room repaint comes from our painting and drywall line.
- Minor fixes, outlet covers, hardware, and smoke detector batteries come from our handyman visit.
- Rekey finishes the job and keeps keys simple for leasing.
Because the scope is set and the order is posted, crews do not step on each other. Leasing can book a walk-through the moment the rekey is done, often inside 48 hours.
How much does a make-ready cost in LA, and how does priority affect it?
Across LA, a 1 bedroom turnover clean often runs $200 to $400. With TurnOver LA the Make Ready is a flat Studio $225, 1 Bedroom $255, 2 Bedroom $335, 3BR or larger $425, with a 12-point photo report and a 48-hour turnaround.
Painting varies widely in Los Angeles. Market rates for repainting a single room commonly land between $300 and $700 per room depending on prep. TurnOver LA lists repainting per room at $395 per room. Paint touch-up only is $200. Ceilings and baseboard or trim are $125. Sand and repaint cabinets or shelving is $135.
For minor repairs, LA handyman half-day rates often range $200 to $400. TurnOver LA prices the half-day handyman punch list at $230 and the full-day at $425. A general maintenance or safety visit is $125.
Junk and left-behind items can require hauling. LA market rates often run $350 to $700 per load. TurnOver LA prices a unit cleanout or junk haul at $500, with each additional junk load at $500 per load.
Security is the last mile. Rekeying across LA typically runs $100 to $200 depending on the cylinders. TurnOver LA prices the full apartment rekey, up to 2 locks, at $150. You can also book the rekey first lock at $100, each additional lock rekey at $50 per lock, or a front and deadbolt pair at $110. Door knob or handle replacement is $100 per knob. Smart lock install is $210.
Marketing adds speed. LA listing media packages range from $200 to $600. TurnOver LA’s TLA Launch Pad Media Package is $399 and pairs well with a Priority 2 show-first strategy.
If vacancy loss in your submarket is $80 to $200 per day, a clean, paint touch-up, and rekey inside two days commonly saves more than any small rate delta. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Need the unit turned before the next tenant?
We do the move-out clean and send you a photo report you can attach to the deposit itemization.
Get an instant quoteHow do LA laws, notices, and deposits influence priority?
California gives you 21 days after move-out to return or account for the security deposit. That deadline drives sequencing because you need invoices and photos to support any deductions. See California Civil Code §1950.5 for the full rule. The California Tenants Guide also explains proper notice and access.
- Deposit accounting: You need dated invoices and photos before day 21. Our Make Ready includes a 12-point photo report to help document cleaning or damage deductions, consistent with California Civil Code §1950.5.
- Entry and access: Give proper notice for entry. The California Tenants Guide clarifies standard notice practices, which keeps your crew schedule lawful and predictable.
- RSO timing: In LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance jurisdictions, economic pressure is high because rent increases are regulated and turnover timing hits revenue. Prioritizing pre-leased RSO units reduces carrying days without risking compliance.
Legal timing is not about drama. It is about posting a schedule that hits deposit, notice, and leasing windows without scramble.
What will a cleaner do in 3 hours on a Priority 1?
In a Priority 1 studio or 1 bedroom, three hours of cleaning focuses on high-friction items first. Kitchen degrease, bath scale and grout, floors, edges, and fixtures. Windows and blinds quickly if time allows. Trash out and fridge pass if needed. The point is to make the space showable the same day and ready for paint touch-ups in the morning.
Our Make Ready slots include that deep clean and a 12-point photo report so you can sign off quickly or escalate to paint or handyman as needed. If walls need more than a wipe, add paint touch-up at $200 or a room repaint at $395 per room.
How do you implement make-ready priority in your workflow this week?
You do not need new software to start. Post a simple board and run this checklist.
- List every vacant by unit, move-out date, and scheduled move-in date.
- Assign Priority 1, 2, or 3 using the scoring factors above.
- Book the sequence: clean first, then paint or repair, then rekey. Put dates and hours next to each task.
- Reserve access: elevator window, loading zone, lockbox code, utilities on.
- Order materials: paint color, filters, bulbs, hardware.
- Publish the plan to leasing and maintenance. No changes without a timestamp and initials.
- Lock photos and invoices to each unit file for deposit support and future reference.
TurnOver LA can drop into that board. Book a Make Ready for day one, then layer paint or handyman as needed. The 48-hour standard is designed for Priority 1 and 2 turns. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Where does neighborhood context affect priority in LA?
Submarkets behave differently. In Santa Monica and Venice, parking and coastal humidity affect dry times and crew overlap. In Downtown LA and Koreatown, freight elevators and dock reservations gate timing. In older buildings in Highland Park, patch and texture often take longer. If you are marketing in a hot pocket, such as a renovated 1 bedroom in Koreatown, a Priority 2 show-first strategy with same-week media can beat waiting for a full repaint.
The right answer is local. Post the plan that matches your building’s constraints and the renter demand curve on your block. If a signed move-in is on the calendar, it is Priority 1 no matter the zip code.
What tools and documentation should ride with your priority plan?
A short paper trail makes audits and deposit letters easy.
- 12-point photo report tied to scope and date
- Dated vendor invoices for clean, paint, repairs, and locks
- Paint spec and color for each unit
- Entry notices and elevator or dock reservations
- Before and after meter photos if utilities were off
- Leasing notes on pre-lease or showings
You can also pull free checklists from our guides. See our Apartment Turnover Checklist and What is Make Ready for scope structure you can paste into your board.
How to keep priority from slipping mid-turn?
Slippage usually comes from scope drift or unplanned access. Keep tight communication rules. If a painter adds a wall, they log it and it does not block the rekey. If a fridge swap is pending, handyman finishes quiet items first. If access breaks, leasing rebooks immediately and updates the board.
Priority is not a promise of perfection. It is a rule for what happens next, even when something changes. A two-minute update protects your deposit timeline and your leasing calendar.
Ready to stack your board by business impact and stop the idle days. Book the first slot, then layer paint and locks as needed. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Internal resources to go deeper:
- Read What is Make Ready to anchor the scope and standards you expect across units. [/guides/what-is-make-ready]
- Use our Apartment Turnover Checklist to set the order of operations and avoid trade conflict. [/guides/apartment-turnover-checklist]
- See Vacancy Loss in LA to put a daily dollar on your scheduling decisions. [/guides/property-managers-vacancy-loss-los-angeles]