What Order Should Cleaning, Painting, and Repairs Follow During an Apartment Turnover?
For most apartment turnovers, start with a walkthrough and scope approval, then authorized trash-out, repairs and surface preparation, painting, final cleaning and completion review. Finish work that creates dust or debris before the final clean, and allow the drying time each product requires.
A cleaner arriving before wall sanding is finished may have to clean the same room twice. A small scheduling decision can create another visit, so check what each provider needs before booking the next job.
What can change the order?
- Heavy buildup: an initial clean may be needed to assess the unit or prepare surfaces.
- Repairs: patch a damaged wall before painting it; finish fixture work before nearby final touch-ups.
- Drying time: follow the instructions for paint, patching compounds, adhesives and caulk.
- Access: confirm entry, utilities and building work hours before scheduling visits.
1. Walk the unit and approve the work
Record what each room needs and agree on what counts as complete. Separate required turnover work from optional upgrades. A clear task such as “replace the damaged towel bar and patch its mounting holes” is easier to assign and check than “repair bathroom.”
Use our walkthrough preparation checklist to gather the details before the visit.
2. Clear what management has approved for removal
Confirm what stays and what goes before hauling begins. Clear the floors and work areas so repair and painting providers can reach them. If heavy soil prevents assessment or preparation, arrange an initial cleaning pass.
3. Finish repairs and preparation
Complete the approved repairs, patching, sanding and other dusty work. Name the person responsible for each task so it does not get left for the next provider.
If a new issue changes the work, confirm the added cost and timing before proceeding. Our guide to turnover quotes explains what to ask.
4. Paint and allow time to dry
Confirm colors, materials and whether the scope calls for touch-ups or full surfaces. Schedule cleaning around the product instructions and conditions in the unit. A painter leaving does not necessarily mean the finish is ready to be wiped or handled.
5. Complete the final clean
Clean the approved areas after repairs and painting. Check the scope for appliance interiors, cabinets, bathrooms and floors rather than assuming they are included. Leave floors near the end of the cleaning pass.
If another provider has to return, agree on who will handle any dust, footprints or touch-ups afterward.
6. Check the unit before calling it ready
Compare the finished work with the approved list. Record anything still needing attention, assign the correction and confirm it is finished. Photos help document the work; they cannot tell you whether a drawer closes or an appliance operates. Follow your property’s readiness checks before releasing the unit.
How The Frame schedules the turn
We start with your unit details and a walkthrough, present the scope and pricing for approval, then coordinate the providers and order of work. We review completion and photo documentation, with one point of contact and one consolidated invoice. Additional work or costs require your approval before proceeding.
If you are deciding who should manage the schedule, read separate vendors or a turnover coordinator.
Frequently asked questions
Should an apartment be cleaned before or after painting?
Final cleaning generally comes after painting and dusty repairs. An initial clean may be needed if buildup gets in the way of assessment or preparation.
Can turnover services happen on the same day?
Sometimes. Confirm that the tasks will not interfere with each other and that access, staffing and product requirements allow it.
What if a repair is discovered after final cleaning?
Approve the repair and any added cost first. Then identify which areas will need another clean or touch-up and include them in the updated plan.