Vacant units cost money every day they sit empty. The fastest way to protect your timeline (and your budget) is to focus on repairs that prevent delays, failed move-ins, and repeat work orders. That’s the real job of make-ready services: get the unit safe, functional, and truly rent-ready—without overbuilding the scope.
If your team is juggling multiple turns, a tight repair checklist keeps everyone aligned and reduces “surprise” issues on day 3. For a full overview of how the process works end-to-end, see this make-ready services guide.
Ready to shorten your next turn? Schedule a Make-Ready Walkthrough.
Key takeaways
- Repairs drive speed. Do functional and safety fixes first, then finishes.
- Standardize your scope to cut callbacks and avoid mid-turn surprises.
- Prioritize plumbing, electrical, doors/windows, and HVAC for day-one stability.
- Use a final QA checklist so the unit is truly rent-ready before leasing shows it.
- For HUD-inspected assets, align your standards to NSPIRE’s health/safety focus.
Why do make-ready services need a repair-first scope
Cosmetic touch-ups matter, but repairs are what keep a unit from stalling. Under HUD’s NSPIRE model, health, safety, and functional defects are prioritized—so “it looks fine” is not enough when something doesn’t work or creates risk.
A repair-first scope helps you:
- Reduce vacancy days by preventing mid-turn rework
- Avoid resident complaints in week 1
- Lower emergency callouts and after-hours fixes
- Keep your inspection readiness consistent across units
If you’re managing affordable housing or HUD-inspected assets, it also supports year-round readiness, not last-minute scrambling.
Safety and habitability repairs that stop failed move-ins
These are the “non-negotiables” that can derail leasing and create immediate risk.
H3: Make ready services punch-list items that prevent delays
- Verify smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed, placed correctly, and test properly
- Clear blocked egress paths and confirm windows/doors operate as intended
- Fix trip hazards (loose transitions, broken concrete, lifted flooring edges)
- Test GFCI protection where required (especially near water sources)
- Replace broken switches/outlets and address exposed conductors fast
HUD provides landlord resources and common deficiency guidance for NSPIRE—use them to train your team on what gets flagged most often.
Pair this with your inspection-prep workflow in NSPIRE property preparation.
Plumbing repairs that prevent water damage and repeat work orders
Plumbing problems are expensive because they create secondary damage fast. Your make-ready scope should prioritize:
- Leaking supply lines, shutoff valves, and angle stops
- Running toilets, loose bases, and poor flushing performance
- Slow drains and partial clogs (kitchen and bath)
- Missing caulk/grout that allows water intrusion where it matters
- Ventilation issues that keep moisture trapped (bath fans, ducting)
Even small leaks become “unit downtime” later. Fix them now while the unit is already offline.
For turnover sequencing support, reference your apartment turnover services process so repairs happen before cleaning and final punch.
Electrical and lighting repairs that reduce callbacks
Electrical issues are a common source of move-in day complaints because they’re immediately noticeable. A repair-first list should include:
- Test outlets (including proper grounding where applicable)
- Replace cracked cover plates and damaged devices
- Confirm kitchens/baths have required permanent lighting
- Verify exhaust fans and key fixtures operate reliably
- Check that panels are accessible and labeled (where required by your standards)
If you manage NSPIRE-exposed properties, use HUD’s guidance on how deficiencies tie to safety rationales so your techs understand why the fix matters.
Doors, windows, and hardware repairs that affect security
Security and usability are “day one” issues. Prioritize:
- Entry door alignment so it closes and latches cleanly
- Deadbolts/locksets functioning properly (and rekeying as needed)
- Weatherstripping and door sweeps to reduce drafts and pest entry
- Window operation and the ability to secure
- Interior passage doors that bind, stick, or don’t close
These fixes are quick, but they prevent a lot of immediate resident friction.
If your team is comparing vendor vs in-house coverage, this guide on apartment turnover contractors can help frame responsibilities.
HVAC and ventilation fixes that protect comfort and reduce moisture risk
Comfort issues lead to fast complaints—and moisture issues lead to bigger problems. Your standard scope should include:
- Change filters and confirm airflow is acceptable
- Verify thermostats operate correctly and are calibrated reasonably
- Confirm bathroom exhaust fans vent properly and move air
- Check for obvious condensate drain issues and leaks
- Inspect visible duct connections where accessible
HUD highlights year-round maintenance as a core NSPIRE priority, so keeping HVAC predictable is operationally smart—not just “nice to have.”
Finish repairs that improve showings without overspending
Once the functional repairs are handled, move into the “lease faster” layer:
- Patch/repair holes and cracks (walls and ceilings)
- Spot prime where needed to prevent flashing
- Neutral paint touch-ups where it drives leasing value
- Flooring transitions, baseboards, and caulk lines that look unfinished
- Cabinet hardware, loose hinges, and door alignment
The goal is consistent presentation, not perfection. Finish work should be time-boxed, with clear standards.
How to scope, sequence, and QA repairs for faster turns
A reliable order of operations prevents rework:
- Walkthrough + photo documentation
- Safety/habitability repairs
- Mechanical (plumbing/electrical/HVAC)
- Security (doors/windows/locks)
- Finishes (patch/paint/flooring touch-ups)
- Deep clean
- Final QA + lockbox/keys + ready-to-show
If you support multiple properties, standardizing this sequence is how you compress cycle time and reduce missed items.
Want help tightening your scope and sequencing? Schedule a Make-Ready Walkthrough.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a “turn” and make-ready work?
A turn is the overall process of moving a unit from move-out to move-in. Make-ready work is the repair, prep, and cleaning scope that gets the unit rent-ready.
How long should a typical make-ready take?
Many teams target 24–72 hours depending on unit condition and repair depth. The biggest driver is how quickly repairs are scoped and sequenced.
What repairs should always be done before cleaning?
Anything that creates dust, debris, or follow-on damage: plumbing fixes, electrical swaps, HVAC checks, patch/paint, and flooring transitions.
How do make-ready services help with inspections?
They reduce the chance of functional and safety defects being missed, especially items tied to resident health/safety. HUD’s NSPIRE model emphasizes those priorities.
What’s the most common reason turns run late?
Missed items at the walkthrough stage. A consistent punch list and a final QA step are the two fastest ways to reduce delays.
Should we build a different scope for affordable housing units?
The core repair scope is similar, but you should be more strict on safety/habitability and documentation if you operate under HUD inspection requirements.
If you want a repair-first scope that speeds turns and reduces surprises, schedule a Make-Ready Walkthrough with NSPIRE Experts.