WCB Covered · Fully Insured(604) 366-4087
    Back to Blog
    Property ManagementAJFebruary 15, 20266 min read

    Suite Refresh Guide: Preparing Your Rental for New Tenants

    Suite Refresh Guide: Preparing Your Rental for New Tenants
    Quick Answer

    A suite refresh typically costs $1,500–$5,000 and takes 2–5 days. Focus on painting, deep cleaning, fixture updates, caulking, and minor repairs to maximize tenant appeal and rental value.

    Tenant turnover is one of the biggest costs for landlords in Metro Vancouver. A thorough, efficient suite refresh between tenants protects your investment, attracts quality renters, and minimizes vacancy time. Here's how to approach it.

    What Is a Suite Refresh?

    A suite refresh is a comprehensive preparation of a rental unit between tenants. It goes beyond basic cleaning to address cosmetic wear, minor damage, and general maintenance that accumulates during a tenancy.

    The Complete Suite Refresh Checklist

    Cleaning

  1. Deep clean all rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms
  2. Inside cabinets, drawers, and closets
  3. Appliance cleaning (oven, fridge, dishwasher interior)
  4. Window tracks and sills
  5. Baseboard and trim cleaning
  6. Light fixture cleaning
  7. Painting

  8. Full interior repaint (walls and ceilings)
  9. Touch-up or repaint trim, baseboards, and doors
  10. Cabinet touch-ups if needed
  11. Repairs

  12. Patch drywall holes and dings
  13. Fix or replace damaged door hardware
  14. Adjust sticky doors and windows
  15. Replace broken blinds or curtain hardware
  16. Fix or replace damaged flooring patches
  17. Re-caulk bathrooms and kitchen
  18. Maintenance

  19. Replace furnace/HVAC filters
  20. Test and replace smoke detector batteries
  21. Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks
  22. Test all electrical outlets and light switches
  23. Replace burned-out light bulbs
  24. How Long Does a Suite Refresh Take?

    |---|---|

    Studio / 1 Bedroom2-3 days
    2 Bedroom3-4 days
    3 Bedroom4-5 days

    These timelines assume no major repairs are needed. If flooring replacement, appliance upgrades, or significant drywall work is required, add 2-5 days.

    Cost Expectations in Vancouver

    A standard suite refresh in Metro Vancouver costs:

  25. 1 Bedroom: — $1,500-$3,000
  26. 2 Bedroom: — $2,500-$5,000
  27. 3 Bedroom: — $3,500-$7,000
  28. These include cleaning, painting, and minor repairs. Major repairs, flooring, and appliance costs are additional.

    Minimizing Vacancy Time

    The key to minimizing vacancy is having your refresh team ready to go the day the previous tenant moves out. At SturdyBee, we can schedule suite refresh packages in advance so our team arrives on day one of vacancy.

    SturdyBee Suite Refresh Packages

    SturdyBee offers pre-priced suite refresh and turnover packages designed specifically for Metro Vancouver landlords and property managers. We handle cleaning, painting, and repairs as a single coordinated service — one point of contact, one invoice.

    Call (604) 366-4087 or visit https://sturdybeesolutions.com/packages to see our current pricing.

    People Also Ask

    How long does a suite refresh take?

    A standard suite refresh takes 2–5 days depending on scope. Painting alone takes 1–2 days, with cleaning and repairs adding 1–3 more days.

    What is included in a suite refresh?

    Typically: interior painting, deep cleaning, appliance cleaning, caulking refresh, minor drywall repairs, fixture updates, and carpet cleaning or replacement.

    Is a suite refresh tax deductible for landlords?

    In most cases, yes. Maintenance and repair expenses for rental properties are deductible against rental income in Canada. Consult your accountant for specifics.

    Ready to get started?

    SturdyBee Property Solutions serves 18 cities across Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley. WCB covered, fully insured, Google Guaranteed.