At Hosting Guests, we understand better than anyone that a clean vacation rental is essential for providing your guests with an unforgettable experience. Cleaning plays a crucial role, but how do you determine the right cleaning costs, especially when the seasons change, and the number of bookings fluctuates? In this blog, we share our insights on managing cleaning costs per season and how to optimize them to balance both your budget and your guests’ comfort.
Seasonal impacts on your cleaning costs
A question many vacation rental owners ask is: “Should I adjust the cleaning fees for shorter stays in the off-season?” Take, for example, an apartment you rent out. In the summer, it’s fully booked with longer stays. The cleaning costs are higher because the usage intensity is greater. But in the off-season, there are often shorter bookings of three nights or less. This raises the question: should you lower the cleaning fees for these shorter stays?
The importance of a reliable cleaning team
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that your cleaning team forms the backbone of your vacation rental operation. Without a reliable and thorough cleaning crew, your guests can’t enjoy the clean, comfortable experience you promise. Annemieke shares: “Our cleaners earn every penny, whether it’s for a short stay of three nights or a week-long visit. They always perform the same thorough work.”
Many rental owners, like Josie, choose to keep the cleaning fee consistent year-round. This not only ensures fair compensation for your cleaners but also prevents a drop in cleaning quality as your team might feel underpaid.
Short stays don’t always mean less work
While you might think that a shorter stay results in less work, that’s not always the case. As Josie pointed out: “Some guests staying for three nights leave the property in worse shape than those staying for ten days!” Your cleaning team still needs to perform the same thorough tasks: washing linens, disinfecting bathrooms, mopping floors, and vacuuming, regardless of the length of stay. This proves that lower cleaning fees aren’t always justified.
A flexible approach in the off-season
What if you’re still considering adjusting your cleaning fees during the off-season because the market simply doesn’t support the same rates as the peak season? Mike, a rental owner, suggested offering an additional option: a special offer for smaller groups, where part of the rooms are closed off. This reduces the workload for the cleaning team, making it a fair way to balance costs.
Yorick adds: “It’s always a good idea to have a conversation with your cleaners. They understand that the off-season is different and are often more flexible than you might think. We work with many regular teams that support our clients (owners) year-round, and they are willing to collaborate to find a solution that works for everyone.”
Concrete steps for your holiday home rental:
- Determine the cleaning needs per stay: Create a list of cleaning expectations for both shorter and longer stays. Is there really less work for a short stay?
- Consult your cleaning team: Openly discuss your concerns with your cleaners and see if there’s a solution everyone can agree on.
- Experiment with different offers: Consider offering shorter stays with fewer rooms in the off-season.
- Review your pricing: Make sure your cleaning costs are included in the booking price, so it’s transparent for the guests.
So, what are you doing?….
It’s clear that cleaning costs are an important part of running a vacation rental. As we’ve shown, open communication with your cleaning team is essential to maintaining high standards, regardless of the season. At Hosting Guests, we’re happy to help you find a cleaning partner in your area.