Why Speed Matters More Than You Think
Every day a unit sits vacant costs you money. At an average Houston rent of $1,350/month, one vacant day is $45 of lost revenue. A 2-week turnover vs. a 1-week turnover costs you $315 per unit, per cycle. Multiply that across 50 units turning twice a year and you're looking at $31,500 in unnecessary vacancy losses annually.
The 7-day turnover is achievable with the right preparation and a disciplined contractor. Here's how we do it at Tell Projects.
Day 1: Assessment & Materials Order
- Walk the unit with maintenance and the property manager
- Document all damage with timestamped photos (protect against security deposit disputes)
- Identify scope: paint only? Flooring? Appliance swap? Full refresh?
- Place all materials orders immediately — delays here cascade through the week
- Schedule sub-trades (carpet, flooring, appliance delivery) for Days 3–5
Day 2: Demo & Prep
- Remove all old flooring if being replaced
- Patch all holes, dents, and texture damage in walls
- Clean oven, range hood, refrigerator coils
- Replace any damaged hardware (hinges, drawer pulls, towel bars)
- Check and repair caulk in all wet areas (tub, shower, sinks)
Day 3: Painting (Full Unit)
- Prime all patched areas before full paint — skipping primer causes flashing
- Roll walls, cut ceilings separately — never cut and roll in one pass
- Two coats minimum on all surfaces
- Address doors, door frames, and baseboards separately with semi-gloss
- Allow adequate dry time before flooring crews enter
Day 4: Flooring Installation
- LVP installation starts with acclimation (minimum 24 hours in the unit)
- Ensure subfloor is flat — high spots cause LVP to click loose over time
- Install quarter-round or transitions last, after all flooring is complete
- Carpet in bedrooms: measure for waste on doorway transitions
Day 5: Fixture & Appliance Updates
- Install new light fixtures if in scope
- Replace outlets and switch covers (cheap upgrade, big visual impact)
- Swap faucets in kitchen and bathrooms if planned
- Install new appliances; test all before sign-off
- Replace HVAC filter and test thermostat function
Day 6: Deep Clean
- Professional cleaning crew (not maintenance) — this is a different skill set
- Clean inside all cabinets and drawers
- Wipe down all surfaces including inside appliances
- Clean all windows (inside and out if accessible)
- Clean light fixtures, ceiling fans, and vents
Day 7: Final Walk & Touch-Ups
- Walk every room with the same checklist used on Day 1
- Test every light switch, outlet, appliance, and faucet
- Check all doors and cabinet doors for proper operation
- Touch up paint where needed
- Photograph completed unit for marketing and documentation
- Unit ready to show by end of day
The Key to Consistency: Standardize Your Finish Spec
The biggest time-waster in apartment turnovers is making decisions mid-project. What color? Which faucet? What flooring? Establish a standard finish specification for your property and stick to it. Tell Projects helps clients develop property-specific renovation standards so every turnover follows the same playbook — faster decisions, lower costs, consistent results.
Need a Turnover Partner in Houston?
Tell Projects handles unit turnovers across the Houston metro — from single units to 50-unit simultaneous renovation programs. Call us at (832) 591-7991 or request a quote online.