Move-out repairs are the small fixes that get a home ready for its next residents. When a tenant moves out, the landlord or property manager usually walks through and notes what needs attention. Meanwhile, a tenant wants to leave the place in good shape, and a seller wants it ready to show. So here are the move-out repairs that come up most, and how they fit with the final clean.
Why Move-Out Repairs Come Before the Final Clean
Patching, sanding, and painting all leave dust behind. That’s why we do the repairs first and the final clean second, on one schedule. As a result, nobody has to clean the same rooms twice, and the home is ready sooner.
Do a Quick Walk-Through First
Before you call anyone, walk the home room by room with your phone. Take a photo of each problem, and note where it is and how big it is. For example, “three nail holes, living room, north wall.” Then group the list by room. As a result, you can get an accurate quote quickly, and nothing gets forgotten on the day.
Move-Out Repairs for Walls and Paint
Walls take the most wear in a lived-in home. For example, pictures, furniture, and door handles all leave their marks. The usual move-out repairs here are:
- Patching nail holes, dents, and other holes
- Touching up or repainting walls, ceilings, and trim
- Repairing water-damaged drywall
We supply the paint and match the existing color, so touch-ups blend in. If a room needs more than a touch-up, we can repaint the whole wall or the full room.
Doors, Windows, and Hardware
Next, check everything that opens, closes, or locks. These items are easy to miss until someone tries them:
- Adjusting doors that stick, and replacing knobs, locks, hinges, and door stops
- Checking that windows open, close, and lock
- Replacing torn screens, worn weatherstripping, and damaged blinds
Kitchen and Bath
Kitchens and bathrooms get daily use, so their small parts wear out first. Common fixes include:
- Tightening or replacing cabinet hinges, drawer slides, and pulls
- Re-caulking tubs, showers, sinks, and counters
- Replacing leaking faucets and worn showerheads
- Replacing towel bars, paper holders, and mirrors
Lighting, Safety, and Trim
Finally, walk the home with the lights on. Then look for these:
- Replacing burned-out bulbs and broken light fixtures
- Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replacing batteries or detectors
- Replacing cracked outlet covers and switch plates
- Reattaching or replacing baseboards and trim
Working smoke alarms matter well beyond move-out day. The U.S. Fire Administration’s smoke alarm guidance explains how to test them and how often.
How Move-Out Repairs Are Priced and Scheduled
Send us your move-out inspection or punch list, and we’ll quote every item. We price each repair by the job, based on the work needed, the property type, its condition, and your timing. Photos help us understand the job, and we confirm your quote before we start.
- We bring the parts and materials, unless we agree otherwise.
- Repairs can start as soon as the next day, depending on the size and scope of the job.
- If a repair we did doesn’t hold, tell us within 24 hours and we’ll come back and fix it at no charge.
- Work that requires a licensed electrician or plumber goes to a licensed subcontractor, and we stay your single point of contact.
Who Books Move-Out Repairs
Tenants book them to leave the home in good shape. Landlords and property managers book them between residents, often from an inspection list. Meanwhile, sellers book them to get a home ready to show. In every case, the list looks similar, and so does the plan: repairs first, then the final clean.
Common Questions About Move-Out Repairs
Can You Do the Repairs and the Cleaning Together?
Absolutely. Tell us about both in your request, and we’ll quote them together. We do the repairs first, then the final clean, on one schedule.
How Soon Can You Start?
Repairs can be scheduled as soon as the next day, depending on the size and scope of the job.
Do You Bring the Paint and Parts?
Yes. We bring the parts and materials unless we agree otherwise, and we supply the paint and match the color.
Get Your Move-Out Repairs Done
We handle move-out repairs across Greater Seattle, from our base in Lynnwood to Seattle, Bellevue, Edmonds, Shoreline, Bothell, Everett, and Renton. Property managers with regular turnovers can also ask for a custom proposal.