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 some cleaning fees. However, those new in this business are not aware of the right amount they should charge. Any island in Hawaii is a place filled with tourists, and thus, building your name in the market can be pretty challenging. If you are new in the business or even seasoned but do not have much idea as to how much cleaning fees you should charge, don’t worryโ this article will perfectly guide you!
What is Vacation Rental Cleaning?
From what an ordinary man would understand, vacation rental cleaning is simply tidying up a short-term rental or a hotel room before a guest arrives and after the guest leaves the room. While not every vacation rental company charges cleaning fees, it is a pretty common thing in the rental business.
When you include the cleaning fees in your rates, it covers a part of the cleaning services of the vacation rental without affecting your profits. Also, it is a good way to show the guests where their money is going.
When you decide on this fee, make sure it is reasonable for the guests and actually matches the original cost of cleaning the property. Mainly, keep things fair and transparent! Let your guests know the price upfront so they know how you’re charging before booking their stay.
What Does a Vacation Rental Cleaning Price Cover?
Vacation rental cleaning costs cover the cost of different cleaning services on the property. The cleaning fees can save you time and effort in making your property look welcome. This fee can be a big help in making sure you always keep up with your company standards so every guest walks into a clean and welcoming space. Some expected costs it covers are as follows:
Linen Management
Many people come and sleep in the same bed as you will be sleeping in. While you cannot change the entire bed, changing the bed covers with fresh linens is essential. Spreading fresh and clean linens makes the guests happy and also provides them with a hygienic experience during their stay. The linen management team will make sure each used bed linen is cleaned properly. They’ll wash the old linens, replace them with new ones, and make the bed ready for the next guests.
Cleaning Bedroom
In addition to handling the bed linens, a cleaning company takes care of the entire bedroom. They dust, mop, sweep, and vacuum as needed, making sure everything’s spotless. They also make the beds so guests can settle in and relax right away.
Sanitization
After COVID-19, cleanliness has become a significant requirement in the vacation rental industry. After hiring a professional cleaning service, vacation rentals are relaxed as they use the best quality disinfectant to sanitize the most common spaces and areas. These can be remote controls, doorknobs, light switches, etc. They also tidy the entire place while dusting and vacuuming the property. Doing this makes sure the rental is safe for the guests to stay.
Cleaning Kitchen
Many vacation rental property have kitchen to make it convenient for the guests to cook their own food in a foreign land. The kitchen needs to be cleaned regularly so that the guests can cook food with complete hygiene. Deep cleaning of the kitchen is done by professional cleaners. They restock the kitchen supplies, clean the floor and countertop, and do regular maintenance of the kitchen appliances.
class=”cvblogh4″Restocking Supplies
Professional cleans make it easy to keep all the items well-stocked on a rental stay. Keeping all the essential items stocked in a vacation rental is necessary for the guest’s comfort. Cleaning companies also take care of the items that are short on the property. These supplies could be basic items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, toilet paper, and other toiletries. Having these items ready makes the visitors happy during their stay.
Bathroom Cleaning
A clean bathroom makes or breaks your day. If the bathroom is not well cleaned, you won’t feel like freshening up for the day. Cleaning companies take care of this, too. They polish fixtures, restock the bathroom supplies, and also focus on disinfecting surfaces of the bathroom.
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 managing the proper disposal of trash and recycling, as well as making sure everything is handled in line with local regulations.
*Your cleaning fee will also include the use of high-end cleaning equipment, like professional carpet cleaners, floor buffers, and ozone machines. These tools are great for getting rid of tough odors, especially cigarette smoke.
Ways to Determining Cleaning Fees
When setting the cleaning fee for your vacation rental, there are several things you need to keep in mind. This will make sure that the cleaning service fee is fair and reasonable, covering not just your cleaning costs but is also competitive according to the market. Having the right balance ensures that you’re not overcharging while still maintaining the high standards of cleanliness your guests expect.
Property Size
Knowing the size of the property that is to be cleaned is essential, as the bigger the property space, the more effort and time spent and, therefore, more fees.
Let’s say you have one-bedroom and three-bedroom properties. The cost of three bedrooms will be higher than that of one bedroom as the size of the property would be larger.
Property Location
The cleaning fee can differ quite a bit depending on where your property is located and the type of rental it is. Services on a beach house can apparently be more expensive than a unit in an aparthotel.
This is because a property with a beachfront will need sand removal, which could be tiring, whereas a simple deep cleaning will be done in an aparthotel.
Property Type
Each type of property comes with different cleaning needs that can impact the overall cost. If your vacation rental is a luxury room, it might need more advanced cleaning techniques and products, which can drive up the cost.
On the other hand, a simple room in an apartment will need basic equipment to clean the room, which means lesser cost.
Market rates
To keep a competitive rate for cleaning tasks, it’s a good idea to research what local cleaning services charge as well as what the rentals in your area are setting as their cleaning fees.
This gives you a sense of the average cost for professional cleaning and how similar rentals price their services, helping you adjust your fee to stay in line with the market.
Pricing Options
You can charge based on the time it takes to clean the property. This works well if the cleaning duration can vary depending on guest stays or the condition of the rental. It can either be on an hourly basis or have a fixed rate based on the average time people stay on your property.
A commission-based pricing model can also be a great option if you want to tie the cleaning fee to your rental income. This way, the cleaning cost adjusts based on how much you earn from the booking, making it directly proportional to the revenue generated by your vacation rental.
The cleaning fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the total booking cost. Each model has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your property and business approach.
Duration of Stay
The length of a guest’s stay can also affect how they view and accept the cleaning fee. For those staying for a longer time, you can charge them a cleaning fee that’s a small percentage of their total booking price.
For those who are visiting for shorter days, like 1-4 days, make sure that the cleaning fee doesn’t affect their vacation, as that could deter potential guests. You can calculate a total cleaning fee based on your market research and then break it down into a fixed daily cleaning fee.
Supply Cost
If you’ve got a high-end property or one with special features and amenities, you might need to use specific cleaning products. This can eventually bump up the entire cleaning cost. Especially if you allow drinks and smoking on your property, you might have to spend extra as different cleaning supplies would be used.
Therefore, it’s best to keep these additional 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
By now, you must have understood the key involved in determining the cost of cleaning your vacation rental properties. Now, it’s time to put everything together and create your own cleaning fees. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you through the process:
1. Inspect the properties you have
List down the size of your property (area in square footage), what type it is (mansion, villa, apartment), and where it is located (central location of the city, beach, with a viewpoint). See what extra features you are giving your guests.
These can be a hot tub, a private swimming pool, kitchen appliances, a grill, an outdoor area, a balcony, etc. Assessing the list will let you know and make an estimate of the cleaning fee you can charge.
2. Research the Cleaning Rate in the Market
Looking into your competitors’ cleaning fees can give you helpful insights into industry standards and trends. Websites like Vacasa and Vrbo are perfect for researching similar vacation rental properties.
Here, we’re not saying that you should set the fees exactly as your competitors, but knowing the price range in your area can help you strike the right balance between being affordable and making a profit on your rental.
Check out what ten local cleaning services charge for similar properties. Through an average cleaning fee, you’ll get a good idea of what’s considered acceptable pricing in your market. Just keep in mind that costs can also vary based on the type of guests and the length of their stay.
3. Combine Service & STR Rates
When determining your cleaning fee, it’s important to combine the rates from local cleaning services with those of similar short-term rentals (STRs).
Start by averaging the cleaning service rates you researched with the cleaning fees from comparable STRs in your area. This will ensure that your pricing is aligned with industry standards while also covering the necessary expenses to maintain your property.
4. Choose Pricing Models
Deciding on a pricing model for your cleaning fee is a crucial step in the process. Consider which model aligns best with your business goals, the nature of your property, and the preferences of your target guests.
This can be an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a commission-based fee based on the property you have and the services you offer.
5. Figure Out the Supply Cost
To determine your supply costs for your short-term rental cleaning:
- Make a list of all the cleaning supplies and tools you’ll need.
- For each item on your list, estimate how much you’ll need per cleaning.
- Look up the prices for each supply item, either online or at local stores.
- Multiply the cost of each item by the quantity you expect to use for each cleaning session. Then, sum up these amounts to get your total supply costs for one cleaning.
- If you plan to clean the property multiple times a month, multiply your total supply costs by the number of cleanings you expect to perform in a given period (e.g., monthly or annually).
- You can also use platforms likeย Escapia, which can help you manage your property and the accountings and adjust your cleaning expenses to remain competitive in the market.
By calculating your supply costs accurately, you can ensure that your cleaning fee reflects these expenses and remains profitable while maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of your property.
6. Be Transparent
Being transparent about your cleaning fee is crucial for building trust with guests. Clearly communicate the fee in your property listing and include a brief explanation of what it covers, such as professional cleaning services and supply costs, to help guests understand its value.
Present the cleaning fee as part of the total cost to avoid surprises, and explain any variations based on factors like length of stay or guest type. Additionally, be open to addressing any questions or concerns from guests. This transparency can enhance guest satisfaction, reduce complaints, and lead to better reviews and repeat bookings.
7. Keep Reviewing and Working on it Regularly
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your cleaning fee is essential for maintaining competitiveness and accurately reflecting your costs. Monitor what similar properties charge in your area to stay informed about market trends.
Periodically reassess your supply costs, as prices can change, and you want your fee to cover these expenses. If you make changes in your cleaning services or notice how different lengths of stay impact your costs, update your fee accordingly.
By staying proactive in this process, you can ensure your cleaning fee remains fair and aligned with the quality of service you offer.
FAQs
Is the cleaning fee included in the rental price?
No, cleaning fees are often separate from the rental price and are usually listed as an additional charge on the booking platform. If you are booking with Midway Vacations, you will quickly see the estimate as you book the room, even before making any payments.
Are there additional costs for larger properties?
Yes, larger properties generally incur higher cleaning fees due to the increased time and effort required for thorough cleaning. If you are booking one, you should expect to pay more for properties with additional bedrooms, more bathroom count, or special features like pools or large kitchens.
How can I find out the average cleaning fee in my area?
To find the average cleaning fee in your area, you can research similar vacation rentals on popular rental platforms or consult with local cleaning services that specialize in vacation rentals.
To Sum It Up
We hope you found this article helpful! We understand that managing a cleaning process can be hectic, and figuring out a cleaning fee can feel overwhelming. It’s important to balance the needs of your potential guests with your business’s profitability. That’s why we’ve shared tips on how to charge guests while ensuring their comfort and maintaining your profit margin. You can also reach out to our property managers for further assistance. By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to stay competitive in the industry and provide excellent service to your guests.
