The short answer is “sometimes.” California’s Civil Code allows landlords to deduct only for excessive filth or damage beyond normal wear and tear when they return a security deposit. Routine carpet cleaning falls under “wear and tear,” yet many property owners still attempt to pass the bill to tenants. Understanding the difference can save both residents and contractors headaches—and it can protect builders and remodelers who offer turnover services.
• Move-out cleaning and minor repairs are a prime add-on service for general contractors, flooring installers, and remodelers.
• Misclassified charges create disputes, delaying your final payment.
• Property managers rely on clear, defensible estimates—something CountBricks automates in seconds.
CountBricks users performing renovation or maintenance work during tenant turnover often need to document carpet condition. The following on-site checklist keeps your estimate compliant:
1. Photograph every room before removing or cleaning flooring.
2. Note stains larger than 1” diameter, pet damage, burn marks, or paint spills.
3. Record carpet age—California’s accepted useful life is generally 8–10 years.
4. Capture moisture readings if water damage is suspected.
5. Upload evidence to CountBricks.com/portfolio to auto-attach supporting photos to your invoice.
Pro Tip: A dated estimate generated by CountBricks bolsters the landlord’s file if the tenant contests deductions.
Traditional estimating relies on fixed price books that quickly become outdated. CountBricks connects to live material suppliers throughout California, so your numbers reflect today’s cost per square foot on both carpet and specialty cleaning.
• Cleaning costs: CountBricks pulls regional averages (e.g., $0.30–$0.40 / SF for steam extraction).
• Replacement costs: The platform weighs fiber type, pad thickness, demolition time, and disposal fees.
• Labor rates: Prevailing-wage toggles ensure compliance on multifamily jobs.
• Profit & overhead: Default mark-ups are editable in your company settings.
Once square footage and damage photos are uploaded, the software auto-generates a “repair vs. replace” report. If cleaning exceeds 60 % of replacement value—or if carpet age is over eight years—CountBricks flags full replacement as the economical choice. Landlords love this transparency; tenants see objective data instead of subjective opinions.
California Civil Code § 1950.5 limits deductions to actual damage. Normal traffic lanes, mild discoloration, and furniture indentations are expected. Contractors following CountBricks guidelines help owners avoid unlawful deductions, while still being paid for legitimate restoration work.
Common Legitimate Charges:
• Pet urine requiring enzyme treatment
• Large red-wine or bleach stains that do not lift
• Burn holes from cigarettes or candles
• Mold contamination due to tenant negligence
Non-Chargeable Items:
• General soil tracked in over time
• Carpet pile flattening from foot traffic
• Fading from sunlight
• Odors that disappear with routine steam cleaning
1. Present the CountBricks estimate, photos, and time-stamped notes to the tenant.
2. Offer to split professional cleaning if damage is borderline.
3. Keep a copy of the signed move-in checklist for comparison.
4. Store all files securely on CountBricks.com/services for at least four years in case of small-claims court.
Residential remodelers often discover sub-floor damage once carpet is lifted. CountBricks allows you to append tasks—such as sheathing repair or mold remediation—without restarting an estimate. This unified workflow keeps change orders transparent and profitable.
• Add tasks with voice commands during the walk-through.
• Immediately see updated material lists and profit margins.
• Auto-generate revised quote documents for owner approval.
CountBricks partner Precision Build Co. manages a 20-unit complex where each turnover previously required manual cost spreadsheets. By shifting to CountBricks:
• Estimate creation time dropped from 2 hours to 18 minutes.
• Disputes over carpet deductions fell by 80 % thanks to photo-rich reports.
• Annual maintenance profit increased 12 % through accurate material pricing.
Whether you are a landlord, property manager, or residential contractor, the question “can landlord charge for carpet cleaning California” hinges on verifiable damage. CountBricks gives you the evidence, pricing accuracy, and professional documentation to stay compliant while maintaining healthy margins.
Ready to simplify tenant turnover? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation to schedule a free demo and see how real-time voice estimates keep your projects—and your client relationships—on solid ground.
Most residential contractors start with flooring repairs and quickly realize turnover work opens doors to profitable add-ons. CountBricks makes it easy to create bundled estimates that landlords approve on the spot.
• Interior repainting: Live paint pricing by brand, sheen, and VOC rating.
• Fixture swaps: Voice-add faucets, door hardware, or LED upgrades without leaving the job site.
• Minor drywall patching: Auto-calculate mud, tape, and sanding labor in seconds.
1. During the initial carpet walk-through, verbally note other visible wear.
2. Ask CountBricks to “add repaint of bedroom walls, eggshell finish.”
3. System inserts regional material costs and labor hours instantly.
4. Show the landlord a side-by-side of individual tasks versus bundled discount.
5. Secure digital approval and export a branded quote document.
Lakeview Property Solutions adopted this upsell method on 52 units in San Diego. Because every change order originated in CountBricks, the team captured an additional $46,000 in revenue while keeping average unit downtime under four days.
• Data accuracy: Materials sync nightly with local suppliers.
• Speed: Voice input trims site visits by 30 %.
• Compliance: Built-in state regulations remind you what is and is not deductible from a tenant’s deposit.
• Professionalism: Branded PDFs with embedded photos build trust and deter disputes.
Take the Next Step. If you want to transform simple carpet jobs into full-scale turnover packages, visit CountBricks.com/services and book a personalized onboarding session. Your next profitable estimate is one voice command away.
