Make-ready services
Apartment Make-Ready Services in NYC
An apartment make-ready is the work performed after one tenant leaves and before the next tenant moves in. Empire Turnover handles the cleaning, paint, patching, basic repairs, debris removal, and lock changes in Manhattan and Brooklyn, then checks the unit against the approved scope so it is ready to show and lease.
- Written scope and quote before any work starts
- Before-and-after photos when the unit is finished
- Serving Manhattan and Brooklyn
One call. One team. Turnover ready.
Serving Manhattan and Brooklyn
What is an apartment make-ready?
An apartment make-ready is the work performed after one tenant leaves and before the next tenant moves in. It covers everything needed to bring a vacant unit back to a clean, working, presentable condition: debris out, repairs done, walls patched and painted, the unit cleaned top to bottom, and locks changed.
Empire Turnover is a New York City property turnover company that helps landlords and property managers prepare apartments and commercial spaces between tenants. Make-ready is the hands-on part of that work. Some owners use "make-ready" and "turnover" interchangeably; if you want the distinction, read apartment turnover vs. make-ready.
Scope
What a make-ready includes
Turnover cleaning
Kitchen counters, cabinets inside and out, appliance interiors and exteriors, bathrooms, tile, floors, baseboards, doors, interior windows and sills, closets, and light fixtures. See deep cleaning.
Patching and paint
Nail holes, dings, and minor cracks patched before paint. Touch-ups or full room and full unit repaints when the scope calls for it, including trim, doors, and closet interiors.
Basic repairs and fixtures
Worn hardware, outlet and switch covers, and fixtures replaced. Sticking doors, cabinets, and drawers adjusted. Tubs, sinks, and counters recaulked. Handyman-level items listed in the approved scope.
Debris removal
Furniture, bags, and debris the previous occupant left behind, cleared before repairs and paint so the crew can work the whole unit.
Lock changes
Locks changed or rekeyed so the next tenant gets keys no one else holds.
Final inspection and photos
A final check against the approved scope, then before-and-after photos sent to the owner or manager.
Room by room
Apartment make-ready checklist
Before work starts
Debris and left-behind items
Walls, ceilings, and paint
Kitchen
Bathroom
Doors, hardware, and fixtures
Floors, windows, and finishing clean
Locks and final inspection
The order we work in
Sequence matters. Cleaning before paint means cleaning twice. Painting before repairs means painting twice. We run make-readies in this order:
Step 1: Debris out
Clear what the last occupant left so every wall and cabinet is reachable.
Step 2: Repairs
Hardware, fixtures, door and cabinet adjustments, and caulking from the approved scope.
Step 3: Patch and paint
Fill and sand, prime, then touch up or repaint.
Step 4: Clean
A full turnover clean once the dust-making work is done.
Step 5: Locks, check, photos
Locks changed, the unit checked against the scope, and photos sent.
What affects the scope and timing
The condition the last tenant left, how much paint the unit needs, the number of repair items, and building access rules. Every quote is based on the actual unit, and timing depends on availability, access, and project scope.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Length of the last tenancy | Longer stays usually mean more patching, paint, and wear on hardware |
| Touch-up vs. full repaint | A full repaint adds prep, coats, and drying time |
| Left-behind items | Debris must be cleared and hauled before other work starts |
| Kitchen and bath condition | Grease, soap scum, and failed caulk take real time to correct |
| Building rules | Work-hour limits and elevator reservations shape the schedule |
A lightly used unit that only needs cleaning and touch-ups is usually much quicker than one needing full repaints and repairs. Faster timelines may be possible for some jobs, subject to availability and project scope. For cleaning-specific detail, see apartment cleaning between tenants in NYC.
What is not part of a standard make-ready
Plumbing beyond simple fixture swaps, electrical work, appliance repair or replacement, floor refinishing, pest control, lead, asbestos, or mold work, and anything that needs a permit are not part of a standard make-ready. They are discussed case by case during the quote and only included when confirmed in writing; otherwise, you may need a separate licensed contractor. We will flag what we see during the walkthrough so nothing is a surprise.
FAQ
Make-ready questions
Is a make-ready the same as an apartment turnover?
They overlap. Make-ready usually means the physical work in the unit; turnover can also include the coordination around it. Empire Turnover does both. Our apartment turnover services page covers the full process.
Do you repaint the whole apartment every time?
Only when the condition or your standard calls for it. Many units need patching and touch-ups rather than a full repaint. The quote spells out which.
How long does a make-ready take?
It depends on availability, access, and project scope. A unit that only needs cleaning and touch-ups is usually much quicker than one needing full repaints and repairs. The written quote includes a proposed schedule.
Can you work around my building rules?
Yes. Tell us the work hours, elevator reservation process, and any certificate of insurance requirement from the managing agent, and we plan around them.
Landlord resources
Guides for this kind of turnover
Cleaning & Make-Ready3 min read
Apartment Turnover vs. Make-Ready: What's the Difference?
Apartment turnover is the whole process between tenants; make-ready is the physical work that gets the vacant unit ready. Here is how the terms compare.
Read the guideLandlord Guides7 min read
Apartment Turnover Checklist for NYC Landlords
A printable, room-by-room apartment turnover checklist for NYC landlords and supers, from move-out day to the new tenant handoff.
Read the guideCleaning & Make-Ready6 min read
Apartment Cleaning Between Tenants in NYC: A Landlord's Guide
What turnover cleaning covers room by room, how it differs from regular cleaning, and where it belongs in the make-ready sequence for NYC apartments.
Read the guideCleaning & Make-Ready6 min read
Painting an Apartment Between Tenants in NYC: What Landlords Should Know
When to touch up or fully repaint a vacant NYC apartment, how to patch plaster and drywall, where paint fits in the turnover, and lead paint rules to check.
Read the guide
Have a unit coming vacant?
Send the address, unit size, and what needs work. Photos help. You get a written scope and proposed schedule before anything starts. One call. One team. Turnover ready.
Or talk to our team: 212-991-9809