Suite Refresh Guide: Preparing Your Rental for New Tenants

Property Management · 6 min read · 2026-02-15

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

  • Deep clean all rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms
  • Inside cabinets, drawers, and closets
  • Appliance cleaning (oven, fridge, dishwasher interior)
  • Window tracks and sills
  • Baseboard and trim cleaning
  • Light fixture cleaning

    • Painting

  • Full interior repaint (walls and ceilings)
  • Touch-up or repaint trim, baseboards, and doors
  • Cabinet touch-ups if needed

    • Repairs

  • Patch drywall holes and dings
  • Fix or replace damaged door hardware
  • Adjust sticky doors and windows
  • Replace broken blinds or curtain hardware
  • Fix or replace damaged flooring patches
  • Re-caulk bathrooms and kitchen

    • Maintenance

  • Replace furnace/HVAC filters
  • Test and replace smoke detector batteries
  • Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks
  • Test all electrical outlets and light switches
  • Replace burned-out light bulbs

    • How Long Does a Suite Refresh Take?

    |---|---|

    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:

  • 1 Bedroom: $1,500-$3,000
  • 2 Bedroom: $2,500-$5,000
  • 3 Bedroom: $3,500-$7,000

    • 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.