How Much Does an Apartment Turnover Cost in NYC?

It depends on what the unit needs. A clean, lightly used apartment that only needs a deep clean and a few paint touch-ups costs far less to turn than the same size unit with items left behind, heavy wall damage, and a full repaint.

Flat per-unit or per-bedroom pricing tends to break down in practice. A studio where the last tenant stayed eight years can need more work than a two-bedroom that turned over after one lease. That is why a credible quote starts with the actual condition of the space, not a rate card.

For a sense of what a full turnover includes from start to finish, see the complete guide to apartment turnover in NYC.

Size sets the baseline, but condition and scope usually matter more. Access, building logistics, and urgency also play a part.

Condition is the biggest variable

Two identical one-bedrooms in the same building can have very different turnovers. One needs a wipe-down and a few nail holes filled. The other needs bags and furniture hauled out, a degreased kitchen, a full repaint, and new cabinet hardware. The move-out inspection is where you find out which one you have.

Paint scope changes the number fast

Touch-ups only work when the existing color and sheen are known and the walls are in fair shape. If patches will show, or the last tenant painted an accent color, the job becomes a full room or full unit repaint, with more prep, primer, and coats. The guide to painting an apartment between tenants explains how to tell which you need.

Licensed and specialist work is priced separately

Plumbing beyond a simple fixture swap, electrical work, appliance repair or replacement, floor refinishing, and pest control are usually handled by a separate licensed contractor or specialist. Empire Turnover discusses these case by case during the quote and only includes them when confirmed in writing. Knowing early whether they are needed keeps the turnover quote accurate.

The cost of the unit sitting empty, extra trips when trades arrive out of order, building requirements like elevator reservations and COIs, and disposal of debris.

• Vacancy days. Every day the unit is not ready is a day it cannot be shown or leased. A cheaper quote that takes longer is not always cheaper. See how landlords can reduce apartment turnover time.
• Re-trips. If the painter arrives before debris is gone, or the cleaner before paint is dry, someone has to come back. Return visits add cost whether or not they show up as a line item.
• Building requirements. Managing agents often require a certificate of insurance before a vendor can work, and many buildings require reserving the service elevator. Missed requirements mean a crew turned away at the door.
• Debris disposal. Hauling and disposal are part of the cost of removing items left behind. In walk-ups, carrying everything down narrow stairs takes more labor.
• Materials. Matching an older hardware finish or fixture may mean ordering parts.
• Scope changes. Issues found after work starts, such as a hidden leak behind a vanity, can add work and time.

Sometimes, on paper. Individual line items from separate vendors can be lower, but the owner takes on the coordination, the gaps between trades, and the risk of re-trips.

If you already have a reliable cleaner, painter, and handyman and the time to sequence them, separate vendors can be a good choice. The hidden cost is usually time: each handoff is a chance for a day or two to slip, and each vendor needs its own access, COI, and scheduling. A single turnover vendor bundles that coordination into one scope and one schedule.

The tradeoffs are covered in more depth in one turnover company vs. multiple vendors.

Send clear photos of every room, a list of known issues, the unit size, your target date, and the access details and building rules. The more complete the information, the fewer surprises later.

For larger or less predictable jobs, Empire Turnover may ask for a walkthrough before quoting. You can send details through the turnover quote request form.

A good quote is written, itemized by type of work, clear about what is excluded, and paired with a proposed schedule.

• Each area of work: debris removal, repairs, patching, painting, cleaning, lock change
• Paint scope: which rooms, touch-up or full repaint, trim, doors, closets
• Specific repairs: hardware, covers, adjustments, caulking
• What is not included, and anything that needs a separate licensed trade
• A proposed schedule, noted as subject to access and scope
• How changes found mid-job will be handled and approved
• How completion is confirmed, such as before-and-after photos and a final check

Comparing quotes line by line is easier when every vendor works from the same written scope of work. To see what Empire Turnover includes, visit the apartment turnover services page.