How Much Does an Apartment Turnover Cost in Toronto?

When a tenant moves out, the amount of work required before the next tenant moves in can vary considerably. Some units need little more than cleaning and touch-ups, while others require painting, drywall repairs, hardware replacement, plumbing work and a long list of smaller deficiencies.

For property managers and landlords in Toronto, understanding what drives the cost of an apartment turnover makes it easier to budget, schedule contractors and reduce vacancy time.

What Is Included in a Rental Unit Turnover?

A unit turnover generally involves inspecting the property after move-out and completing the work necessary to return it to rentable condition. See our unit turnover services for a full make-ready scope.

Depending on the unit, this may include:

• Painting and touch-ups
• Drywall patching
• Baseboard and trim repairs
• Door and lock repairs
• Cabinet adjustments
• Caulking
• Light and fixture replacement
• Plumbing repairs
• Electrical repairs
• Cleaning
• Appliance-related deficiencies
• Junk removal
• Exterior or balcony maintenance

The final cost depends much more on the condition of the unit and the amount of labour required than simply the size of the apartment.

Painting Is Often One of the Largest Costs

Painting is one of the most common turnover items.

A relatively clean unit may only require localized touch-ups. A unit with heavy scuffing, patched walls, stains or colour changes may need a complete repaint.

Costs also increase when painters need to repair drywall, sand damaged surfaces, repaint trim or work around occupied common areas. Our painting and drywall work covers prep and finish in one pass.

For property managers overseeing multiple turnovers, using the same paint colours and finishes throughout a portfolio can help simplify future maintenance.

Small Repairs Add Up Quickly

A turnover may contain ten minor problems that individually seem insignificant:

• Loose towel rack
• Broken door latch
• Missing stopper
• Damaged cabinet hinge
• Failed caulking
• Burned-out fixtures
• Loose handles
• Damaged baseboard
• Wall holes
• Missing hardware

Coordinating separate contractors for each item can become inefficient.

This is why many property managers prefer using a property-maintenance contractor capable of handling an entire punch list during one visit, from building repairs to fixtures and hardware.

The Condition Left by the Previous Tenant Matters

The difference between a well-maintained move-out and a neglected unit can be substantial.

Units with excessive wall damage, garbage, unauthorized alterations, pet damage or damaged fixtures require additional labour before normal turnover work can even begin.

A detailed move-out inspection with photos is one of the easiest ways to identify these costs before scheduling contractors.

Speed Also Affects the Turnover

A unit that can be repaired over two weeks is easier to schedule than one that must be ready for a new tenant in 48 hours.

Tight timelines may require:

• Multiple trades working consecutively
• Evening or weekend scheduling
• Faster material sourcing
• Additional labour
• Careful coordination between cleaners, painters and repair contractors

The objective is not simply to complete the work. It is to minimize unnecessary vacancy while maintaining an acceptable finished standard.

Getting an Accurate Turnover Quote

The fastest way to price many turnovers is to provide:

• Property address
• Unit number
• Photos or videos
• Inspection report
• Required completion date
• List of known deficiencies

For straightforward repairs, much of the scope can often be identified before a contractor arrives.

For larger turnovers, an on-site inspection may be more appropriate.

One Contractor vs. Multiple Vendors

There are situations where specialized trades are required, particularly for regulated electrical, plumbing or HVAC work.

However, using one maintenance provider for the overall turnover can simplify communication significantly — which is the basis of our property manager support.

Instead of a property manager coordinating several companies, the turnover can be treated as one project with a defined scope and completion date.

Need a Unit Turned Over in Toronto?

Unit Ready GTA handles rental-unit turnovers, repairs, painting and drywall, doors and hardware, caulking, exterior maintenance and multi-trade property work throughout Toronto and the GTA.

Send us the property details and photos and we can review the scope and provide a quote. Request a quote.