Short answer: Pick a turnover crew that gives a written scope and quote from photos or a walkthrough, sends before-and-after photos, can handle trash-out, repairs, paint and cleaning in the right order, and uses licensed trades for electrical, plumbing and HVAC. DIY makes sense for a light clean on one unit with flexible timing.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What exactly is in the scope? Get a written list: trash-out, repairs, paint, cleaning, and what's excluded.
- How do you quote? A good crew quotes from photos or a walkthrough and confirms the price before work starts.
- Do I get photos? Before-and-after photos protect your deposit decisions and show the work was done.
- Who does licensed work? Electrical, plumbing and HVAC should go to licensed trades. Ask who they use.
- Is the building pre-1978? Paint work that disturbs old paint needs EPA RRP lead-safe certified firms and renovators.
- What's the timeline, and who's my contact? One point of contact beats chasing three trades.
- Can you show insurance? Ask for a current certificate of insurance and check it yourself before work starts.
- How do you handle keys, lockboxes and access?
Red flags
- No written scope, or a price that changes after the job starts without your OK
- Large upfront payment before any work, with no schedule
- Won't put the pre-1978 lead-safe plan in writing
- No photos, or vague answers about who actually does the work
- Reviews you can't trace to a real profile
DIY vs hiring a crew
| Do it yourself | Hire a turnover crew | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | One unit, light wear, flexible move-in date | Several units, heavy wear, tight move-in dates, out-of-town owners |
| Cost | Supplies, tools, dump runs and your time | A quoted fee; fewer vacancy days can offset it |
| Speed | Evenings and weekends | Back-to-back stages by a coordinated crew |
| Documentation | Your own photos | Before-and-after photo report |
| Licensed and lead-safe work | Still needs licensed trades and RRP-certified painters where required | Coordinated with licensed partners |
For Airbnb hosts: what's different
Short-term rental turnovers are smaller but far more frequent, often between a morning checkout and an afternoon check-in. Look for a crew that handles linens, restocking and a photo report after every stay, and can flag damage the same day so you can report it to the platform in time. Our Airbnb turnover checklist lists the steps.
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
- U.S. EPA: How can I find a certified renovation firm in my area?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official sources above before you rely on them.
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