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Your vacation rental cleaning fee has a real impact on both guest bookings and your profit. Owning a vacation rental can be pretty profitable, but it can profit the owner even more if it looks nice and is well-maintained. No guests would come to a vacation rental if it’s shabby and dirty. While many owners prefer to clean the rentals on their own, those who own multiple properties need some help. Here is where professional cleaning services come into the picture.
For these services, vacation rental companies usually charge guests a cleaning fee. However, those new to the business are often not sure what amount they should charge. Waikiki and Kihei are busy, competitive vacation rental markets, so pricing your stay right matters. If you are new to the business, or seasoned but unsure how much to charge for cleaning, don’t worry. This article will guide you!
What is Vacation Rental Cleaning?
Vacation rental cleaning is simply preparing a short-term rental before a guest arrives and after the guest leaves. While not every vacation rental company charges cleaning fees, it is a very common practice in the rental business.
When you include a cleaning fee in your rates, it covers part of the cost of cleaning the vacation rental without cutting into your profits. It is also a good way to show guests where their money is going.
When you decide on this fee, make sure it is reasonable for guests and matches the real cost of cleaning the property. Keep things fair and transparent, and let guests see the price upfront so they know what they are paying before they book.
What Does a Vacation Rental Cleaning Price Cover?
The vacation rental cleaning fee covers the different cleaning services performed at the property. It helps you keep up with your standards so every guest walks into a clean and welcoming space. Some of the costs it covers include:
Linen Management
Fresh, clean linens make guests happy and give them a hygienic stay. The linen team makes sure each set of used bed linens is washed properly, replaced with a fresh set, and the bed is made ready for the next guests.
Cleaning Bedrooms
In addition to handling the bed linens, a cleaning team takes care of the entire bedroom. They dust, mop, sweep, and vacuum as needed, making sure everything is spotless. They also make the beds so guests can settle in and relax right away.
Sanitization
Guests notice cleanliness more than almost anything else, and it shows up in reviews. Professional cleaners use quality disinfectants on high-touch items and areas such as remote controls, doorknobs, and light switches, and tidy the entire place while dusting and vacuuming. This keeps the rental safe and comfortable for guests.
Cleaning the Kitchen
Many vacation rentals have a full kitchen so guests can cook their own meals. The kitchen needs to be cleaned after every stay so guests can cook with complete peace of mind. Cleaners wipe down appliances, clean the floor and countertops, run and put away dishes, and restock kitchen supplies.
Restocking Supplies
Professional cleaners make it easy to keep everything well stocked. Essential items are necessary for guest comfort, and the cleaning team replaces anything that is running low, such as shampoo, soap, toilet paper, and other toiletries. Having these items ready makes visitors happy during their stay.
Bathroom Cleaning
A clean bathroom can make or break a guest’s stay. Cleaning teams polish fixtures, restock bathroom supplies, and disinfect all bathroom surfaces.
Coordination, Execution & Waste Management
Coordinating and carrying out professional cleaning is vital to maintaining high property standards. This ensures that every space stays spotless and welcoming for guests. It also includes the proper disposal of trash and recycling, handled in line with local regulations.
*Your cleaning fee may also cover the use of professional equipment, like carpet cleaners, floor buffers, and ozone machines. These tools are great for getting rid of tough odors.
Ways to Determine Your Vacation Rental Cleaning Fee
When setting the cleaning fee for your vacation rental, there are several things to keep in mind. They help make sure the fee is fair, covers your cleaning costs, and stays competitive in your market. The right balance means you’re not overcharging while still keeping the high standard of cleanliness your guests expect.
Property Size
The bigger the property, the more time and effort it takes to clean, and the higher the fee.
For example, cleaning a three-bedroom condo will cost more than cleaning a one-bedroom condo because there is more space to cover.
Property Location
The cleaning fee can differ quite a bit depending on where your property is located. A beachfront home can cost more to clean than a condo in a high-rise, because beachfront properties need extra sand removal on top of a standard clean.
Property Type
Each type of property comes with different cleaning needs that affect the overall cost. A luxury home may need more specialized techniques and products, which can drive up the cost.
On the other hand, a simple studio needs only basic equipment, which means a lower cost.
Market Rates
To keep your fee competitive, research what local cleaning services charge and what similar rentals in your area set as their cleaning fees. Our vacation rental cleaning tips also cover what a thorough turnover clean should include.
This gives you a sense of the average cost of professional cleaning and how similar rentals price it, so you can keep your fee in line with the market.
Pricing Options
You can charge based on the time it takes to clean the property. This works well if cleaning time varies depending on the length of the stay or the condition of the rental. It can be an hourly rate or a fixed rate based on the average time a clean takes.
A percentage-based model is another option, where the cleaning fee is calculated as a percentage of the total booking cost. Each model has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your property and business approach.
Length of Stay
The length of a guest’s stay can affect how they view the cleaning fee. For longer stays, the cleaning fee is a small share of the total booking price, so guests rarely notice it.
For short stays of one to four nights, make sure the cleaning fee doesn’t make the total feel too high, as that could deter potential guests.
Supply Costs
If you have a high-end property or one with special features and amenities, you may need specific cleaning products, which can raise the overall cleaning cost.
Keep these extra expenses in mind when deciding on your cleaning fee, so it truly reflects what it costs to keep your place in top shape.
Steps to Calculate Vacation Rental Cleaning Fees
Now that you know what goes into a cleaning fee, it’s time to put everything together and set your own. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you through the process:
1. Inspect Your Property
Note the size of your property (square footage and bedroom count), what type it is (condo, townhome, house), and where it is located (oceanfront, city center, resort area). List the extra features you offer guests.
These can include a lanai, a full kitchen, beach gear, a washer and dryer, or an outdoor area. This list will help you estimate the cleaning fee you can charge.
2. Research Cleaning Rates in Your Market
Looking at what comparable rentals charge for cleaning gives you helpful insight into local standards. Browsing similar properties on Airbnb and Vrbo is a quick way to do this.
You don’t need to match your competitors exactly, but knowing the price range in your area helps you strike the right balance between being affordable and making a profit.
It also helps to ask a few local cleaning services what they charge for similar properties. Averaging these quotes gives you a good idea of what’s considered acceptable pricing in your market.
3. Combine Service & STR Rates
When determining your cleaning fee, combine the rates from local cleaning services with the cleaning fees of similar short-term rentals (STRs).
Averaging the two keeps your pricing in line with the market while still covering what it costs to maintain your property.
4. Choose a Pricing Model
Deciding on a pricing model is a key step. Consider which model fits best with your business goals, your property, and the guests you want to attract.
This can be an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a percentage of the booking, depending on your property and the services you offer.
5. Figure Out Your Supply Costs
To work out the supply costs for each cleaning:
- Make a list of all the cleaning supplies and tools you’ll need.
- Estimate how much of each item you’ll use per cleaning.
- Look up the prices for each item, either online or at local stores.
- Multiply the cost of each item by the amount used per cleaning, then add these up to get your total supply cost for one cleaning.
- Multiply that total by the number of cleanings you expect each month or year to see your full supply budget.
Calculating your supply costs accurately makes sure your cleaning fee covers these expenses while keeping your property clean and well maintained.
6. Be Transparent
Being transparent about your vacation rental cleaning fee builds trust with guests. Show the fee clearly in your listing and include a short explanation of what it covers, such as professional cleaning and supplies.
Present the cleaning fee as part of the total cost to avoid surprises, and be open to answering guest questions. This transparency leads to happier guests, fewer complaints, better reviews, and more repeat bookings.
In Hawaii, short-term rental income is also subject to General Excise Tax (GET) and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), so factor taxes into the total price guests see. The Hawaii Department of Taxation explains how these taxes apply to rentals.
7. Review Your Fee Regularly
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your cleaning fee keeps it competitive and in line with your real costs. Keep an eye on what similar properties charge in your area.
Reassess your supply and labor costs from time to time, as prices change. If you change your cleaning services or notice that different lengths of stay affect your costs, update your fee accordingly.
FAQs
Is the cleaning fee included in the rental price?
Cleaning fees are usually listed separately from the nightly rate as an additional charge. If you are booking with Midway Vacations, you will see the full price breakdown, including cleaning, before you pay.
Are there additional costs for larger properties?
Yes, larger properties generally have higher cleaning fees because they take more time and effort to clean. Expect to pay more for properties with additional bedrooms and bathrooms or special features.
How can I find out the average vacation rental cleaning fee in my area?
Research similar vacation rentals on popular booking platforms, or ask local cleaning services that specialize in vacation rentals what they charge.
To Sum It Up
Managing cleaning and setting the right fee can feel overwhelming. The key to the right vacation rental cleaning fee is balancing what’s fair for guests with what keeps your rental profitable. If you’d rather not handle it yourself, Midway Vacations takes care of turnover cleaning with our in-house housekeeping team. Talk to our property managers to learn how we can help with your Oahu or Maui vacation rental.
