How do you set the price for cleaning? How do we not turn guests away?

[Alex12990]

Hi everybody, 

As a new host, I'm still learning about managing my property and there are various challenges I never even considered before starting this journey. Like:

How do you set the pricing for cleaning? How much is too much before turning guests away? 

I'm finding there are many little things that I had to purchase alongside the regular cleaning work, like soap, tissues, trash-bags, etc. These feel like a minor expenses for any one guest, but in the long run, they ad up! 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Alex12990 There is no right answer to your question. Some charge no cleaning fee and just put it in the nightly rate. We used to charge a cleaning fee that only covered the external laundry costs and swallowed the rest. This way gives a small discount to those who book for more nights. The only other thought is if a guest cancels they get the cleaning fee back regardless of the cancellation policy.

Basically its up to you but guests do seem to get upset if the cleaning fee exceeds the nightly rate

[Helen3]

Hi @Alex12990 

Have you set up a profit and loss budget to understand all your ongoing costs to help you understand what to charge?

Have you done any market research on what other hosts are charging  for cleaning for similar listings in your area? 

we charge a cleaning and linens fee as we use a third party cleaning service . 

[Tammy718]

In my opinion you really can't charge a realistic cleaning fee.  In other words, I can only charge $75.00 but it is going to cost me $100 to actually get the house cleaned.  I went onto the traveling portion of Airbnb to see what hosts in my area are charging for comparable houses and charged the same.  It's not really enough but it's better than nothing.  

[Alex12990]

Yes! I was just saying in another thread that the cleaning fees don't seem to account for expenses other than labor. Like, there's utilities you have to pay (electricity, water, sewer) and consumables (soap, shampoo, etc.)...

Just curious how other people approach these things. I'm unsure if there's a perfect answer but maybe we can all learn something from each other 🙂

[Sylvia946]

Hello from  Saskatchewan Canada

Every country and space is different

What I did when deciding to charge a cleaning fee is this:

 - I didn,t charge a cleaning fee for the first year 

- kept my prices lower or simular as my co-airbnb people in my area

- built up my reviews, and build up my reputation first

- was quick to reply and was completely honest in all my replies and inquiries that I had - the best way to be - upfront, and always, always grateful that they inquired at my space - as we know the more gratitude we show the more the universe sends us!!!

- once I received "superhost" I felt I was then able to charge a fee. 

- I reviewed other superhosts in my area to see what they were charging and started the process again - keeping all fees relative to my area.

Hope this helps - most important be grateful, don't be money hungry, guaranteed the flow of money will come, just have faith and believe and treat others with respect and love.  

In all my time as a Airbnb host, I have never, never had a bad experience!!!

[Paula]

Hello  @Swankitecture0 and @Sylvia946 thank you very much for your contributions 😊, I am tagging @Alex12990 here so he receives a notification of your message. This way, we increase the chances of him getting back to us.

Quick tip: To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu 😊

[Swankitecture0]

Hello Sir,

About $62-$65/bedroom is the industry standard, which includes all bathrooms, common spaces, kitchens, exteriors and etc.  So if you have  a 4 bedroom house expect to charge $260, which is $65/bedroom on the high side.  Guests who complain about the cleaning fee aren't for you.  Some will try to haggle it.  Don't budge.  Guests that haggle a cleaning fee should find a property within their budget and understand you get what you pay for.  Best wishes.  

[Susie332]

Gee, I have been way too low😗

[Tina11878]

I usually contact several STR cleaning services to get a feel for the price in our area. I can tell you that in Ohio, I pay $70 to turn a property. The cleaning person I hired usually takes about 2 - 2.5 hours.  The property is about 1200 sq. ft. with 2 living spaces, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths.

I definitely price-shop for supplies.  I have found that Walmart has the most reasonably priced items.  

[Susie332]

I do my own cleaning so that is the best it can be to represent me.  I have 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with a large kitchen, dining room and living room.  I charge $ 185.00.  I don't include the costs of all the incidentals as I believe they are covered in my nightly rates.  No one has ever complained about the cleaning costs.