What Is a Make Ready? A Complete Guide for Property Managers

A make-ready is the process of preparing a unit so it’s fully ready for the next resident—from inspection to repairs to final cleaning. It is one of the most important, and often most stressful, parts of rental operations. If you manage single-family or multifamily properties, you already know that a slow or inconsistent make-ready can derail timelines, frustrate teams, and drain revenue through unnecessary days vacant.

But despite how often the term is used, “make-ready” isn’t always defined the same way across the industry. This guide breaks it down clearly: what a make-ready really means, what’s included, how long it should take, how much it typically costs, and how modern maintenance partners streamline the entire process.

Whether you’re building your first turnover workflow or trying to improve speed and consistency across multiple properties, this is the complete make-ready guide built specifically for property management teams.

What is a make-ready?

In property management, the make-ready process is also called an apartment turn or unit turnover. Regardless of the name, the goal is simple: ensure the unit is clean, safe, functional, and move-in ready for the next resident.

Make-Ready vs. Standard Maintenance: What’s the Difference?

While both make-readies and standard maintenance fall under the umbrella of property maintenance, they serve distinct purposes and require different operational approaches.

A Make-Ready is proactive and scheduled. It’s a comprehensive, full-unit process triggered by a resident move-out and focused entirely on ensuring the unit meets move-in quality standards. The scope is broad, covering everything from minor wall repairs and deep cleaning to major replacements like flooring and appliances.

Standard Maintenance (or resident work orders) is reactive and unplanned. It involves addressing specific issues reported by current residents (e.g., a leaking faucet, a faulty AC unit). The scope is typically narrow, focusing on a single repair to keep the unit functional. Since resident safety and comfort are the priority, standard maintenance often pulls technicians away from make-ready duties.

Why Make-Readies Matter for Property Managers

Turnovers are one of the biggest bottlenecks in rental operations. Slow or inconsistent make-readies increase days vacant, stall leasing, and consume valuable maintenance time. Even a few extra days empty can cost a property thousands in lost rent and negatively impact your Net Operating Income (NOI).

What’s Included in a Typical Make-Ready

While every unit is different, most make-readies include:

• Move-out inspection and punch list
• Wall repair and repainting
• Flooring repair or replacement
• Appliance checks or replacement
• Plumbing and electrical fixes
• Hardware, blinds, and fixture updates
• Deep cleaning and sanitization
• Preventive maintenance tasks

How Do Property Managers Complete Make-Readies?

Property teams typically tackle make-readies in one of three ways: on-site techs, a group of outside vendors, or an all-in-one managed partner.

1. On-Site Maintenance Teams

Many properties use their in-house technicians because it feels cost-efficient—techs already know the units, the supplies, and the standards. But the tradeoff is capacity.

When a tech gets pulled into a full make-ready, resident work orders stack up, timelines slip, and specialized tasks (like plumbing, resurfacing, or major drywall repair) still require calling outside vendors. This reliance on outside vendors can stall the entire turn, creating dependencies where no trade can start until another finishes. Because resident issues take priority, make-readies often get bumped repeatedly, potentially costing the property thousands in lost rent.

2. Multiple Outside Vendors

Another approach is hiring painters, flooring installers, cleaners, and maintenance specialists independently. This can work, but coordinating multiple vendors creates logistical bottlenecks: mismatched schedules, inconsistent quality, separate invoices, and coordination gaps. For busy teams, vendor juggling becomes a bigger operational drain than the make-ready itself.

3. A Fully Managed, All-in-One Make-Ready (Lula)

With Lula, you get a complete, end-to-end make-ready handled by one trusted partner. We start with a free, detailed inspection and punch list, then provide a clear line-item quote that includes everything the unit needs—repairs, painting, flooring, cleaning, appliance checks, and preventive maintenance.

From there, we manage the entire project. Our vetted local pros handle every trade, and our team coordinates the full workflow so you don’t have to. Most make-readies finish within 72 hours, helping you reduce days vacant and eliminate the scheduling chaos that comes with juggling multiple trades.

You can also customize the scope through our a la carte options, selecting only the services you need to match your standards and budget.

We currently complete make-readies in nine major U.S. metros—Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, St. Louis, and Kansas City—with more markets coming soon.

Make-Ready Options Compared

Option	Pros	Cons	Best For
On-Site Maintenance Teams	Cost-efficient; techs know the property; easy coordination	Pulls techs away from resident work orders; limited skillsets; make-readies often deprioritized	Properties with light turns and available capacity
Multiple Outside Vendors	Specialized expertise; flexible sourcing	3–5 vendors per unit causes scheduling chaos; inconsistent quality; multiple invoices; delays between trades	Properties with heavy turns but strong internal coordination
Lula (All-in-One)	One partner from inspection to clean; vetted pros; 72-hour average turn; flat-rate pricing; minimal coordination required	Only available in select markets	Properties wanting fast, predictable, fully managed turns

How Much Does a Make-Ready Cost?

The cost of a make-ready varies widely based on the unit’s condition and the amount of work required. Industry reporting shows that the total cost of resident turnover, including lost rent, cleaning, repairs, and leasing efforts—typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per unit.

Multifamily Dive cites a commonly referenced benchmark of $3,976 per move-out, which many operators view as a realistic industry average.

A significant portion of that cost comes from 10–20 days of vacancy, making slow or inconsistent make-readies one of the biggest NOI drains in multifamily operations.

Because every unit is different, there is no universal make-ready price. Some units only require cleaning and touch-up paint, while others need drywall repairs, appliance replacements, flooring work, or more extensive preventive maintenance. Accurate pricing always begins with a detailed inspection.

Lula completes a free, full-unit inspection and provides a transparent, line-item quote using a flat-rate pricing catalog. You select exactly which items you want completed, ensuring you only pay for the work that fits your standards, timelines, and budget.

How Long Does a Make-Ready Take?

The time it takes to complete a make-ready depends on the scope of work, the age/condition of the unit, and whether the property relies on in-house techs or multiple vendors. In most markets, a typical make-ready takes anywhere from 2 to 7 days, but major repairs can extend the timeline.

Here’s what most property managers experience:

• Light turns (cleaning, paint touch-ups, minor repairs): 1–3 days
• Standard turns (paint, cleaning, small maintenance issues): 3–5 days
• Heavy turns (flooring, appliances, drywall, resurfacing): 5–14 days
• Renovation-level turns: 2–4+ weeks

The biggest delays often stem from vendor coordination—waiting for one specialist to finish before the next trade can begin.

What Delays Make-Readies (and How to Avoid Them)

Make-readies don’t fall behind because of one big issue, it’s usually a collection of small delays that compound. Common causes include:

1. Waiting on multiple vendors: Painters finish before cleaners are available. Flooring runs late. The electrician can’t come for two days. Every handoff in vendor coordination adds time.
2. In-house tech backlog: When resident work orders spike, make-readies get pushed aside due to prioritization conflicts.
3. Missing or rushed inspections: If the punch list isn’t complete or accurate, crews uncover new issues mid-turn, forcing pauses and rework.
4. Major repairs that require specialists: Leaks, electrical issues, drywall damage, and large appliances often require licensed pros, which extends timelines and coordination demands.
5. Parts or material delays: A missing appliance, broken blind, or wrong paint finish can set the project back days.
6. Unpredictable unit condition: Units with high wear-and-tear, pet damage, or long-term residents often require more time.

How Lula Reduces Delays

Lula’s single-partner model handles all inspection, scheduling, and trades under one streamlined workflow. This eliminates the coordination delays common when juggling multiple independent vendors, resulting in most units being turned within 72 hours—even when repairs span multiple skillsets.

The Typical Unit Turnover Flow

Every successful make-ready follows a predictable sequence, even if the scope varies by unit. Here’s what the workflow generally looks like:

1. Move-out

2. Initial Inspection & Punch List

3. Repairs & Specialty Work

4. Deep Cleaning

5. Quality Assurance (QA) Check

6. Handover to Leasing

Make-Ready Checklist: What to Inspect Before a New Resident Moves In

A thorough make-ready ensures the next resident walks into a clean, safe, fully functional unit. Here’s a complete checklist property managers can use during every turn:

General Maintenance

• Repair holes, scuffs, and damaged walls
• Patch and paint as needed
• Replace broken hardware (knobs, handles, hinges)
• Test and replace lightbulbs
• Ensure all windows and locks function properly

Plumbing

• Check faucets, drains, and traps for leaks
• Test toilets (flush, fill speed, stability)
• Ensure hot water is functioning
• Inspect under-sink plumbing

Electrical

• Test outlets and GFCIs
• Confirm all switches work
• Check smoke detectors and replace batteries
• Verify ceiling fans, appliances, and fixtures function properly

Kitchen

• Clean and sanitize all surfaces
• Test stove, oven, microwave, and dishwasher
• Inspect fridge and freezer temperature
• Check garbage disposal and sink sprayer

Bathroom

• Check caulking and tile condition
• Test exhaust fan
• Ensure no active leaks
• Deep-clean tub, toilet, vanity, and fixtures

Floors and Surfaces

• Inspect carpet for stains/wear
• Clean or replace flooring as needed
• Repair damaged baseboards

HVAC & Safety

• Replace air filter
• Test thermostat
• Check for proper heating/cooling
• Confirm CO/smoke detectors work

Final Cleaning

• Deep-clean entire unit
• Shampoo carpets or mop hard flooring
• Ensure no odors are present
• Remove trash, debris, and previous-resident items

A Faster, More Predictable Make-Ready Process Is Possible

With the right process, clear expectations, and reliable partners, property managers can turn units faster, reduce days vacant, and deliver a consistently great move-in experience for every resident. The challenge is keeping that process predictable—especially when every turn brings a different scope, timeline, and coordination challenge.

That’s where Lula helps. By handling inspection, punch lists, scheduling, and every trade under one streamlined workflow, Lula removes the friction and coordination delays that typically slow down make-readies. And with vetted local pros, a flat-rate pricing catalog, and a consistent 3-day turnaround, property managers finally get the consistency and speed they’ve been trying to build on their own.

If you’re ready to simplify make-readies across your portfolio—or just want clearer pricing for your next turn—request a free inspection or line-item quote. Lula can help you turn units faster, protect revenue, and give your team back hours every week.

Make Ready FAQs

What is the make-ready process in property management?

The make-ready process is how property management companies prepare a rental unit after a previous tenant moves out. It includes a move-out inspection, property maintenance, electrical repairs, appliance cleaning, painting, and thorough deep cleaning to ensure the space is fully ready for the next resident.

Why is a make-ready checklist essential for property managers?

A make-ready checklist helps property managers and cleaning crews stay organized, prevent missed repairs, and complete the turnover process efficiently. A comprehensive checklist ensures everything—from carpet cleaning and ceiling fans to doors, windows, floors, and fixtures—is completed to the highest level before new occupants move in.

What’s included in make-ready cleaning?

Make-ready cleaning goes beyond standard house cleaning. It includes deep cleaning appliances, scrubbing floors and carpets, sanitizing bathrooms and toilets, wiping walls and baseboards, dusting ceiling fans, cleaning windows, removing odors, and preparing every room so the rental unit looks move-in ready for the next resident.

How does the make-ready process help reduce vacancy time?

Efficient make-ready services help reduce vacancy periods by quickly preparing the rental property for new tenants. The faster a unit is ready, the sooner it can be leased, which saves money, prevents revenue loss from vacant units, and helps property managers fill units faster in competitive markets.