Short answer
A deep clean is one part of a make-ready. A deep clean gets a unit clean. A make-ready gets it ready to lease, which can also include repairs, paint, flooring, moisture checks, pest control, and testing appliances and alarms.
The terms get used loosely, so it’s worth making sure you and your vendor mean the same thing before you agree on a price.
| Deep clean | Make-ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | The unit is clean | The unit is ready to lease |
| Cleaning | Yes | Yes |
| Repairs | No | Yes |
| Paint and flooring | No | As needed |
| Testing appliances and alarms | Not usually | Yes |
| Moisture and mold check | Not usually | Should be |
Which one does a unit need?
A deep clean may be enough if the last resident left the unit in good shape and everything’s working. A make-ready is the safer choice between residents, because that’s your best chance to catch problems while the unit’s empty.
Whichever you call it, get the scope in writing. Our make-ready turnover checklist is a good starting point.