How Real Estate Agents Can Budget for Cleaning and Floor Care Before Selling or Renting a Property
Real estate agents know that getting a property ready for the market involves more than putting a sign in the yard or posting a listing online.
Whether you’re selling a house, renting a house, selling a commercial property, or leasing commercial space, the condition of the property can affect how prospective buyers and tenants see it.
Cleaning and floor care are two areas that can make a noticeable difference.
The challenge is knowing what needs to be done, how much work is appropriate, and when to schedule it without wasting the property owner’s money.
Start With the Property Walkthrough
Before recommending cleaning or floor care, walk through the property with the owner and look at it from the perspective of someone seeing it for the first time.
Pay attention to:
- Entryways
- Floors
- Kitchens and break rooms
- Bathrooms
- Hallways
- Common areas
- High-traffic sections
- Windows and visible surfaces
- Areas with noticeable dirt, odors, or wear
For a residential property, that might mean looking closely at hardwood, vinyl, tile, carpet, kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas buyers or renters will notice.
For a commercial property, you may also need to consider larger floor areas, offices, corridors, reception areas, restrooms, and employee or customer spaces.
The walkthrough can help determine where cleaning and floor-care dollars are likely to have the greatest impact.
Cleaning a Property for Sale Is Different From Routine Cleaning
A property that’s occupied and being maintained on a normal schedule may only need routine cleaning.
A property that’s about to be photographed, shown, sold, or rented can require a different level of attention.
The goal is to present the property in a condition that allows potential buyers or tenants to see the space rather than being distracted by accumulated dirt, neglected floors, or visibly worn areas.
That doesn’t mean every property needs an expensive deep-cleaning or restoration project.
It means determining what the property actually needs before it goes on the market.
Don’t Automatically Assume Every Floor Needs Restoration
Flooring can be one of the largest visible surfaces in a property, but not every worn-looking floor needs stripping and refinishing.
Depending on the flooring and its condition, the appropriate service might be:
- Routine cleaning
- Deep cleaning
- Scrubbing
- Buffing or maintenance
- Carpet cleaning
- Floor refinishing
- Stripping and refinishing
This is particularly important when you’re helping an owner control the cost of preparing a property.
A professional evaluation can help determine whether the floor needs a major restoration project or simply needs to be cleaned and maintained properly.
Budget Differently for Houses and Commercial Properties
Real estate agents may deal with several different types of properties during the same month. The cleaning and floor-care needs can vary significantly depending on the property.
Selling a House
For a home that’s going on the market, the focus may be on making the property clean, fresh, and ready for professional photography and showings.
Floors, kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and high-traffic areas can deserve special attention because these are areas prospective buyers are likely to notice.
Renting a House
For a rental property, cleaning can be particularly important between tenants.
The goal is to prepare the property for the next occupant while addressing areas that accumulated dirt and wear during the previous tenancy.
Selling a Commercial Property
A commercial building may have considerably more floor space and larger common areas.
Depending on the property, cleaning and floor care may involve offices, corridors, reception areas, restrooms, break rooms, and other heavily used spaces.
Leasing Commercial Space
When a commercial space is being marketed to prospective tenants, presentation can matter during property tours.
A clean, well-maintained space can make it easier for a prospective tenant to concentrate on the property’s layout, location, and potential use rather than obvious cleaning issues.
Timing Can Be Just as Important as the Budget
One mistake agents can make is waiting until the day before photographs or showings to arrange cleaning.
That can create unnecessary scheduling problems.
Whenever possible, plan cleaning and floor care around important milestones such as:
- Listing photography
- Video tours
- Open houses
- Broker tours
- Property showings
- Inspections
- Closing
- Tenant move-in
- Tenant turnover
For larger commercial properties, scheduling may require even more planning.
Some floor-care procedures can require sections of the property to remain unused while the work is being performed and while the floor finish is allowed to dry or cure according to the product and process.
Planning early gives the agent and property owner more options.
How to Help Your Client Avoid Unnecessary Cleaning Expenses
Real estate agents don’t have to recommend every possible cleaning service.
Instead, identify the areas that are most likely to affect the property’s presentation.
For example, if a commercial property’s main entrance and reception area look excellent but a back storage room has some cosmetic issues that won’t be seen by buyers or tenants, the priorities may be different.
Likewise, a house being prepared for sale may benefit more from concentrating on visible living areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring than spending the same amount of money on areas that prospective buyers are unlikely to notice.
The goal is to create a smart preparation plan, not simply the biggest cleaning bill.
Questions Real Estate Agents Should Ask a Cleaning Contractor
Before getting a cleaning or floor-care estimate, ask:
- What does the property actually need?
- Which areas should receive the most attention?
- Is the floor suitable for routine cleaning, or does it need restoration?
- What services are included in the estimate?
- How long will the work take?
- Can it be completed before photography and showings?
- Will furniture or equipment need to be moved?
- Does the property need one-time cleaning or ongoing service?
- What should be done after the property is cleaned or restored?
- Are there scheduling considerations the owner should know about?
These questions can help you give your client a more realistic picture of both the work and the budget.
One-Time Preparation or Ongoing Cleaning?
The right service also depends on what happens after the property is prepared.
If you’re selling a house, you may primarily need one-time cleaning before the listing.
If you’re managing a rental, you may need cleaning between tenants.
If you’re representing a commercial landlord, you may need cleaning before a space is shown and potentially ongoing janitorial service after a tenant moves in.
That creates an opportunity to think beyond the immediate transaction.
A cleaning contractor who understands real estate properties may be able to help with listing preparation, property turnovers, move-ins, move-outs, showings, and ongoing commercial cleaning.
Don’t Forget the Floors During Your Final Walkthrough
Before you consider a property ready, take another look at the floors.
Ask yourself:
- Do they look clean?
- Do they look maintained?
- Are high-traffic areas noticeably different from the rest of the property?
- Will the floors distract someone walking through the property?
If the answer is yes, it may be worth having a professional take a look before the property is photographed or shown.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much should a real estate agent budget for cleaning before listing a property?
There isn’t one standard price because the cost depends on the size of the property, condition of the space, type of flooring, amount of cleaning required, and services requested. A professional estimate can help determine the appropriate budget for the specific property.
2. Does every property need deep cleaning before it is sold or rented?
No. Some properties may only need routine or one-time cleaning, while others may require more extensive cleaning because of accumulated dirt, odors, heavy use, or neglected areas. The property’s actual condition should determine the scope of work.
3. Does every dull floor need to be stripped and waxed?
No. A dull floor may simply need professional cleaning or maintenance. If the existing finish is worn or deteriorated, stripping and refinishing may be appropriate. A professional floor evaluation can help determine which service is needed.
4. Should floor care be completed before professional real estate photography?
In many cases, completing appropriate floor care before photography can help the floors present better in listing photos. Agents should schedule the work early enough to account for the specific cleaning or floor-care process.
5. How far in advance should a real estate agent schedule cleaning?
The timing depends on the size of the property and the services required. It’s generally better to schedule early, especially when professional photography, open houses, broker tours, or showings have already been scheduled.
6. What areas should receive the most attention when preparing a property for sale?
Visible areas such as entryways, floors, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, living spaces, reception areas, and other high-traffic areas can deserve particular attention. The priorities should depend on the property’s condition and how prospective buyers or tenants will use the space.
7. Is commercial floor cleaning different from residential floor cleaning?
The basic goal of removing dirt and maintaining the flooring is similar, but commercial properties can involve larger floor areas, heavier traffic, different flooring materials, and more demanding scheduling requirements.
8. Should a rental property be professionally cleaned between tenants?
Professional cleaning can be an important part of preparing a rental property for a new tenant. The exact services needed depend on the condition of the property after the previous tenancy.
9. Can a cleaning company tell me whether my floor needs cleaning or restoration?
A professional floor-care company can evaluate the condition of the floor and discuss whether cleaning, maintenance, or a more extensive restoration service may be appropriate.
10. Does A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning provide floor care for real estate properties?
Yes. A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning provides professional cleaning and floor-care services for property owners and real estate professionals in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville, and surrounding areas.
Cleaning and Floor Care for Real Estate Professionals in the Triad
A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning works with property owners and real estate professionals in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, Lewisville, and surrounding areas.
Whether you’re preparing a house for sale, a rental property for a new tenant, a commercial building for sale, or commercial space for lease, professional cleaning and floor care can help get the property ready for the next stage.
If you’re a real estate agent and need help determining what cleaning or floor-care services a property needs, contact A Personal Touch Professional Cleaning to discuss the property and request a quote.
Preparing a property for sale or rent? Let’s get it ready for the next buyer or tenant.
