Woman calculating Airbnb cleaning service costs with a laptop and calculator.
April 1, 2022

Airbnb Cleaning Fee: What You Need to Know

Cleaning is always a challenge, especially if you own Airbnb rentals. As a host, maintaining your rental property is one of your most vital tasks. Cleanliness is at the top of every guest’s criteria—a well-nurtured space can guarantee trust and a good reputation. Additionally, more people tend to take extra measures in light of the pandemic.

Airbnb cleaning fees require a bit of a dive. As with anything, they are best not measured or charged at random. Some of your guests are already aware of standard rates and other considerations in cleaning fees. On your end, knowing how to charge clients or customers properly can strengthen your credibility.

Of course, the charging system changes entirely if professional cleaning personnel are involved. Here are some pointers to consider when charging cleaning fees for your rental property.

 

Learn more how Magic Helpers offers four options for Airbnb Management Services

 

Contents

How to Charge Airbnb Cleaning Fees

Cleaning fees are a part of the package for most rental property owners. Most guests know this, but you should probably expect a few who would still try to bargain the service fees. To avoid these situations as an Airbnb rental owner, make sure to have a reasonable base fee.

On average, most units start at $50. But depending on size and other factors, some can charge as much as $150. Medium-sized units would fall somewhere in the middle, while bedroom units can go as low as $25. These figures are by no means strict standards to adhere to, but knowing conventions in the market is a good starting point.

Aside from looking at the usual market prices, it’s also good to research your neighborhood and competition. How much do nearby rental properties charge for cleaning? Try to find an estimate based on that and begin from there.

Things to Consider in Airbnb Cleaning Fees

You can go along with just the base price if you think that’s the wisest decision for your market. However, keep in mind that a well-priced cleaning fee can holistically add to your Airbnb rates. This means you can make the most out of guests’ Airbnb costs while gaining reasonable profit. 

To ensure that your Airbnb fees are justified, consider the following factors when charging your guests cleaning service fees.

 

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Unit Size

More often than not, this is the most weighted factor. Some hosts charge solely based on the size of the property. Naturally, the bigger the property, the higher the cleaning fee. A bigger space warrants more supplies and hours of work, especially if you hire a cleaning service company.

The number of rooms is another practical basis since it is an objective criterion. However, note that unit size isn’t always proportional to this factor. Some smaller units may have more rooms; some bigger units may have fewer rooms. Consider both sides of the coin before finalizing your price.

Type of Property

When deciding on the cleaning fee, Airbnb qualities play a significant role. A rental property may be enormous but modest, and on the other hand, a unit may be small but on the more upscale side. Your branding is a good element to consider in this context.

For instance, a luxury vacation rental can charge high cleaning fees since they require more maintenance. Guests would consider this kind of pricing more reasonable. They already know what to expect, so you can charge them at a higher rate if you need to.

Location

Are your rental properties located in high-demand areas or a private neighborhood? Then guests would probably assume that it’s cleaner than most. While you shouldn’t always entertain these presumptions, establishing your cleaning fee according to the unit’s location can help your guests gauge their budget.

Competition

Knowing the standards and conventions of your industry is a skill you need to stay on top of your business. This is no different if you’re a rental host. Do your research and examine other properties in your area. If their rates for cleaning fees are relatively similar, consider having yours at the same price point.

Your Guest’s Budget

Your prices should rarely be questioned or doubted by your target market. Familiarize yourself with the kind of people who engage in your business. You don’t always have to meet their budgeting standards, but you can have an idea of how to “meet in the middle” should a situation arise. 

This factor also closely ties in with your type of property, location, and competition. If you’ve priced your cleaning fee based on those three considerations, chances are you’re already meeting your target market’s budget.

Fixed Amount vs. Varying Fees

When evaluating the average cleaning fees, Airbnb hosts can also take note of the length of guests’ stay. This also falls under their budget, so this will help you gauge their financial expectations more.

For instance, a guest may be unwilling to pay $100 worth of cleaning fees for a short-term rental. But for a guest staying for weeks in your rental property, that would already be a bargain. If situations like these break the flow of business too often, you might want to consider non-fixed fees instead.

Requirement for Professional Cleaning

Some Airbnb rental owners take it upon themselves to do the tedious job of cleaning. However, this may not always be the best option. Doing a complete cleaning service requires lots of energy, time, and money. If your unit is often booked and has a high turnover rate for guests, looking after tidiness becomes an arduous task.

You can maximize your resources by hiring a professional cleaning service. Not only is it a wise investment, but it also shows your guests how serious you are about cleanliness. This can make them trust your Airbnb rental more.

woman talking over a phone for Airbnb cleaning

The Benefits of Hiring a Cleaning Service Company

Some hosts take it upon themselves to be in charge of cleaning. While that’s preferred in situations like short rentals, you might find that there are more benefits in hiring cleaning personnel. This also helps justify your cleaning fees, should you decide to charge higher.

Deeper Cleaning

If you’re an owner of a vacation rental, you know that standard house cleaning is not enough. Deep cleaning is a requirement, especially as some guests are now more cautious of cleanliness for their health.

Professional cleaners know that there’s more to the task than just the surface. A cleaning service company can do the job perfectly. They will go beyond removing spots and stains, cleaning even the tiniest details of the entire house. This not only makes your space look orderly—it will also make it feel safer for your customers.

Saves Time and Energy

Cleaning on your own may look easy, but it consumes a lot of your resources. A dirty unit can take hours, if not the whole day. Hiring cleaning personnel means that you don’t need to dedicate your much-needed time and energy to this task. Plus, you’ll be paying for an entire team so that they won’t be taking as much time.

A Better Investment

A clean-it-yourself method seems less expensive at first glance. However, you also need to consider the costs of constantly buying supplies. You must purchase paper towels, dish soap, trash bags, and toilet paper in bulk. The more often you clean, the more you realize how expensive it can get.

When you hire cleaning service companies, these are already at their disposal. You’ll be paying for that part of the package, too. That means you don’t have to overspend on disposable cleaning items.

A Great Long-Term Plan

Sure, it seems easy enough to do the job yourself, and on the surface, it looks cheaper too. But cleaning isn’t just an afterthought in rental properties—it’s a responsibility. 

Hiring a team with professional experience in deep cleaning ensures that this responsibility is met. You can reserve your time, energy, and expenses for more important things. In the end, you’re not just saving money—you’re also saving yourself from all the trouble. 

Finally, you get an opportunity to maximize profit through this method. Your guests will be more understanding of higher fees if you choose professional cleaning services to take care of their living space.

Trust Magic Helpers to Clean Your Airbnb Rentals

Just like any other duty in hosting, cleaning requires well-trained professionals. At Magic Helpers, this is what we pride ourselves on. We work thoroughly, efficiently, and courteously. You can rest assured that your rental property is safe and spotless.  

We offer top-notch cleaning services with a reasonable Airbnb cleaning fee for you and your guests. If your Airbnb rental is in Austin, TX or Puerto Rico, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to see how we can help you.

To get started, contact us today at (512) 705 0043 or book an appointment through our website.

 

Want to explore more options? Read more articles about Airbnb cleaning services and property management;

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Keep Your Rental Spotless: 7 Benefits of Hiring an Airbnb Cleaning Service

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Airbnb Cleaning Fee: What You Need to Know