Every day a unit sits vacant is rent your community will never recover. A clear make-ready process, the work that takes an apartment from move-out to move-in ready, is how property managers turn units faster without sacrificing quality or resident satisfaction.
This make-ready checklist follows the order most maintenance teams work in, from the move-out inspection to the final walkthrough, so nothing falls through the cracks between trades.
What Is a Make-Ready?
A make-ready, also called a unit turn or turnover, is all the inspection, repair, painting, cleaning and replacement work completed after a resident moves out and before the next resident moves in. The goal is simple: a safe, clean, fully working unit that is ready to show and lease.
The Real Cost of Slow Turns
Consider a unit that rents for $1,800 per month. It loses about $59 in rent for every vacant day ($1,800 × 12 ÷ 365). If slow turns add 10 extra days to 20 turnovers a year, that is roughly $11,800 in lost rent, before counting utilities, marketing and staff time.
The Complete Make-Ready Checklist
1. Move-Out Inspection
- Walk the unit with a standardized checklist and take photos of every room.
- Note damage beyond normal wear and tear for the security deposit process.
- Test appliances, HVAC, plumbing fixtures, outlets and smoke detectors.
- Define the full scope and order parts and materials the same day.
2. Trash-Out
- Remove furniture, mattresses, boxes and debris left behind.
- Clear balconies, patios and storage closets.
- Haul items directly off the property so they do not end up next to the dumpster. See our guide to bulk trash removal for apartment communities.
3. Repairs
- Carpentry and drywall: wall patches, doors, hinges, cabinet fronts and hardware.
- Plumbing: leaks, running toilets, faucets and garbage disposals.
- Electrical: outlets, switches, light fixtures and GFCI tests.
- Appliances: range, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer.
- HVAC: replace the air filter, clear the condensate line and confirm cooling performance.
- Safety: test smoke detectors and replace batteries or units as needed.
4. Paint and Flooring
In buildings constructed before 1978, prep work that disturbs old paint may fall under the EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program, which requires certified firms and lead-safe work practices.
- Touch up or fully repaint, depending on wall condition and how long the last resident stayed.
- Repair or replace damaged flooring. If the unit needs a bigger upgrade, plan it as a unit renovation instead of a standard turn.
5. Deep Cleaning
- Kitchen, bathrooms, cabinets and appliances, inside and out.
- Carpet cleaning plus tile and floor cleaning.
- Air vents and the dryer vent. Learn why in our dryer vent cleaning guide.
- Windows, blinds, baseboards, ceiling fans and light fixtures.
6. Final Quality Walkthrough
- Re-test every appliance, fixture and outlet.
- Check keys, locks and access devices.
- Photograph the finished unit for your records and your listing.
- Mark the unit rent-ready in your property management software.
Short on crews this month? Get a make-ready proposal within 48 hours.
7 Ways to Reduce Make-Ready Time
- Pre-walk the unit after the resident gives notice, when the lease allows it, so parts are ordered before move-out.
- Standardize paint colors, fixtures and appliance models so common parts are always in stock.
- Sequence the trades: trash-out, repairs, paint, flooring, then cleaning.
- Use one team for repairs, cleaning and trash-out to avoid waiting between vendors.
- Track every unit in one place, with photos and status updates your whole team can see.
- Plan for peak move-out periods by reserving crews in advance.
- Review turn times monthly to spot recurring delays.
Florida Make-Ready Tips
- Look for moisture, mold and water damage under sinks, around AC closets and near windows.
- Clear AC condensate lines and replace filters, since heavy cooling use strains HVAC systems.
- Inspect sliding doors, window seals and balcony drains for storm-related wear.
Turn Units Faster with One Make-Ready Team
AMB Services handles make-ready work for apartment communities and condominiums across South Florida and the rest of Florida: repairs, painting, flooring, deep cleaning and trash-out, all with one team. Every unit is documented in the AMB App with photos and downloadable reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an apartment make-ready take?
It depends on the condition of the unit and the scope of work. Light turns with paint touch-ups and cleaning can often be completed in a few days, while units that need flooring or larger repairs take longer. Defining the scope and ordering materials on day one is the biggest time saver.
What is the difference between a make-ready and a renovation?
A make-ready restores a unit to rent-ready condition between residents. A renovation upgrades the unit, for example with new flooring, cabinets or finishes, to increase its value or rent.
Should make-ready work be done in-house or outsourced?
Many communities combine both. In-house teams handle daily work orders, while an outsourced partner covers repairs, painting, cleaning and trash-out during busy move-out periods or when several units turn at once.
Does AMB Services offer make-ready services in Florida?
Yes. AMB Services is based in Davie, Florida and provides make-ready services for apartment communities and condominiums in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties and throughout Florida.
Make-ready preparation is part of our property maintenance services for multifamily communities.
