Quick answer: A proper move-out clean covers kitchen appliances inside and out, bathrooms top to bottom, all surfaces, windows and tracks, baseboards, doors and hardware, and floors. In LA, pros typically charge $220 to $380 for a 1BR. TurnOver LA's Make Ready is $255 for a 1BR, done in 48 hours with a 12-point photo report.
A move-out clean means returning the unit to a showable, sanitary condition so leasing can start immediately. It includes full kitchen and bath detailing, appliances inside and out, dusting and wipe downs on all reachable surfaces, windows and tracks, baseboards, door and switch touchpoints, and floors. At TurnOver LA, this scope is our Make Ready deep clean, delivered in 48 hours. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What should a move-out clean consist of in LA?
A complete scope is consistent across Los Angeles, whether you are in West Hollywood or Pasadena. The difference is pace, building rules, and showing standards. At a minimum, expect these items completed to a showable standard so leasing photos and tours do not stall.
- Kitchen appliances: oven degreased, racks and broiler pan cleaned, stovetop and burner pans detailed, fridge emptied and shelves binned, dishwasher filter rinsed.
- Kitchen hard surfaces: cabinet exteriors wiped, backsplash degreased, sink and faucet descaled, counters disinfected.
- Bathrooms: tub or shower scrubbed, glass doors detailed, grout treated, toilet inside and out, vanity, mirror, and fixtures descaled.
- All rooms: dust and wipe reachable surfaces, window sills, blinds front face, doors, knobs, switches, and outlets.
- Windows and tracks: interior panes cleaned, tracks brushed and wiped, screen edges dusted.
- Baseboards and trim: wiped throughout, corners detailed.
- Floors: vacuum and mop, including under and behind movable appliances.
- Final touch: deodorize, bag left-behind small trash, and set a clean entry presentation.
For a legal and documentation backup, see California deposit rules in California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California DCA Landlord-Tenant Guide.
How much does a move-out clean cost in California and LA?
Across LA, a professional move-out clean for a 1 bedroom typically lands between $220 and $380 depending on scope, access, and soil level. With TurnOver LA it is a flat $255 for a 1 bedroom Make Ready. Studios are $225, 2 bedrooms are $335, and 3 bedrooms or larger are $425. Turnaround is 48 hours at all sizes, no rush upcharge. If junk removal is needed, LA market pricing for a 1 bedroom cleanout often runs $250 to $600 depending on volume. With TurnOver LA, unit cleanout or junk haul is $310 for a 1 bedroom, with additional loads at $200 per load. Pairing a clean with rekey is common. Market locksmiths in LA often bill $150 to $250 per set. TurnOver LA offers a full apartment rekey up to 2 locks for $150.
Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Quick cost comparison
| Item | Typical LA market | TurnOver LA price |
|---|---|---|
| Move-out clean, Studio | $190 to $320 | Make Ready Studio $225 |
| Move-out clean, 1BR | $220 to $380 | Make Ready 1BR $255 |
| Move-out clean, 2BR | $300 to $480 | Make Ready 2BR $335 |
| Move-out clean, 3BR | $380 to $650 | Make Ready 3BR+ $425 |
| Unit cleanout, 1BR | $250 to $600 | Cleanout 1BR $310 |
| Full apartment rekey | $150 to $250 | Rekey up to 2 locks $150 |
What is included in TurnOver LA's Make Ready deep clean?
The Make Ready is our base package for turnovers. It includes a full deep clean plus a 12 point photo report so you can document condition, charges, and readiness. Prices are flat by size, with a 48 hour standard window. Add paint or repair items as needed.
Included tasks, room by room:
- Kitchen: oven interior, racks, and door glass, stovetop and burner pans, hood exterior, fridge interior shelves and bins, dishwasher filter, microwave, sink descaled and polished, counters degreased.
- Bathrooms: tub or shower scrub, glass doors, grout touch treatment, toilet in and out, vanity, mirror, fixtures descaled, fan cover dusted.
- Living and bedrooms: dust and wipe reachable surfaces, sills, face of blinds, interior windows, doors, knobs, switches, closet shelves and rods.
- Whole unit: baseboards wiped, spot wall wipe on smudges, floors vacuum and mop, window tracks brushed and wiped, small debris bagged.
You can book the Make Ready online and see your price instantly. Get instant quote in 30 seconds
What is not part of a move-out clean, and what add-ons cover it?
A proper move-out clean is not a repair visit. It does not include painting walls, patching drywall, major appliance disassembly, biohazard work, or hauling a full apartment of junk. When the unit needs more than cleaning, add the right trade so the next showing does not slip.
- Painting: LA painters often bill $300 to $700 per room for repaints. TurnOver LA is $395 per room. Touch-up only is $200, and ceilings or baseboard and trim is $125. See painting and drywall.
- Drywall: market small patches run $150 to $300. TurnOver LA small patch with texture is $150 per patch, medium repair $240 per patch.
- Handyman: market half days often run $250 to $450. TurnOver LA half-day handyman punch list is $230, full day is $425. See our handyman service.
- Junk: market cleanouts are $250 to $600 for a 1 bedroom. TurnOver LA unit cleanout is $310 for a 1 bedroom. See cleanout and junk haul.
- Locks: market rekey is $150 to $250. TurnOver LA full apartment rekey up to 2 locks is $150, first lock $100 and additional locks $50. See locks and security.
For odor issues, see our guides on pet odor removal and removing smoke smell.
Are move-out cleaning services worth it for deposits and vacancy loss?
Yes, for two reasons. First, documentation. California requires itemized deductions and return of deposit funds within 21 days. A dated photo log helps you comply with California Civil Code §1950.5 and the California Tenants Guide. Second, speed. Every lost day is $80 to $200 in vacancy loss across LA submarkets. A 48 hour clean, plus targeted handyman and paint, often recovers two to four days of rent versus a piecemeal approach. If your building is subject to the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance, turning quickly also helps you avoid avoidable holdover conflicts and keeps rent registration dates clean.
If you are listing right away, photos are next. Market media packages often run $300 to $600 for basic pro photos. Our TLA Launch Pad listing media is $399 and is scheduled behind the clean so the unit is show ready. See TLA Launch Pad listing media.
How do you prep a unit so a cleaner can finish in 48 hours?
Cleaning is the last third of the turnover. Prep the unit first so the crew is not blocked. Here is a short process that fits LA apartments, from Koreatown walk-ups to Marina del Rey mid-rises.
- Confirm vacancy and access. Rekey or schedule rekey. Bag and tag any keys or fobs.
- Remove bulk items and trash. If it is more than three contractor bags, book a unit cleanout.
- Walk and tag. Blue tape any wall scuffs or paint misses you want addressed during touch-up or repaint.
- Check water, power, and parking or elevator reservations if applicable.
- Order parts in advance. Have bulbs, smoke and CO batteries, and common filters on site.
- Schedule the clean to land after paint and patch work, not before. Wet paint dust ruins a fresh clean.
- When the clean starts, pull the fridge forward three inches and clear the oven drawer so crews can reach behind and under.
That sequence keeps a Studio or 1 bedroom on a 48 hour track.
What is the 80/20 rule for cleaning and how to apply it on turnovers?
The 80/20 rule says that 20 percent of tasks deliver 80 percent of the result. In turnovers, hit the high-impact items first, then finish details if time allows. Focus on these five items at the start of every move-out clean.
- Oven and cooktop, because baked-on grease and drip pans make or break first impressions.
- Bathrooms, because scale and soap scum photograph poorly and smell traps hold odors.
- Interior windows and tracks, because dusted tracks and clean panes brighten photos and showings.
- Baseboards and door touchpoints, because grime at eye and hand level reads as neglect.
- Floors and entry, because a clean path and a good opening shot sell the tour.
If you have to triage during heavy turns, get those done first while a second person advances the rest of the unit.
What documentation do you need for California deposit laws?
California requires itemized deductions with dates and descriptions, and you must return any remaining balance within 21 days. AB 12 caps most residential security deposits at one month of rent starting July 1, 2024, with some exceptions. See AB 12 (2023) security deposit cap.
TurnOver LA includes a 12 point photo report with every Make Ready. Use it to:
- Show pre-clean versus post-clean condition.
- Support deductions for beyond normal wear. See our guide on normal wear and tear in California.
- Attach receipts for cleaning, paint, and repairs.
- Prove readiness date in case of dispute.
For a full process, see our guides on the 21 day deposit return and an apartment turnover checklist.
Room by room: the measurable standard you can inspect
Operate on clear, inspectable standards so crews know when a room is done. Here is a short, measurable list you can walk with.
- Kitchen: oven shines inside with no grease film, stovetop free of carbon, hood vent face wiped, fridge shelves and bins free of food and drips, sink and faucet spot free.
- Bathroom: grout lightened where possible, glass doors no hard water streaks, toilet base and hinge area clean, vanity drawers vacuumed, mirror with no streaks.
- Living areas: window glass clear, tracks free of visible debris, sills dust free, doors wiped at handle height, closet shelf dust free.
- Whole unit: no cobwebs at corners, baseboards wiped end to end, no visible crumbs under movable appliances, floors vacuumed and mopped.
Tie these to your photo report so new staff can learn the standard.
When should you add paint or repairs during a move-out clean?
If you can see un-blendable scuffs, nail pops, or water stains at five feet, plan paint or patch before the final clean. Market repaint pricing often runs $300 to $700 per room. TurnOver LA repainting is $395 per room, touch-up is $200, and medium drywall repair is $240 per patch. Small drywall patch with texture is $150 per patch. Add a handyman punch list if outlets, knobs, or hinges bind. Doing this before the clean prevents dust and paint mist from undoing the effort.
Get instant quote in 30 seconds
Are tenants or landlords responsible for a move-out clean?
Most leases require tenants to return the unit broom clean and remove personal property. Landlords can deduct reasonable cleaning to restore the unit to the condition at move-in, minus normal wear, consistent with California Civil Code §1950.5. In LA RSO buildings, the LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance sets other rules, but it does not change basic cleaning responsibility. If you need a deeper primer on scope and vocabulary, see What is Make Ready and our Move-out cleaning in Los Angeles.
Final checklist before you list the unit
Before photos or showings, confirm these last items so the unit reads clean and quiet.
- Replace missing or burned out bulbs and test all switches.
- Replace HVAC or bath fan filters if clogged.
- Prime P-traps and floor drains with water to block sewer gas.
- Open windows briefly to flush dust, then close for a quiet showing.
- Stage a neutral entry. Roll towels, set a clean doormat, close toilet lids.
If the unit is rent-ready, slot your media. Market photo sets run $300 to $600. Our TLA Launch Pad listing media is $399. Book cleaning and photos together to keep momentum. Get instant quote in 30 seconds