Streamline the setup process for STR

[Leon Lee]

Hey STR fellow investors,

I've been setting up quite a few short-term rentals now, and I think it's time I got smarter about it.

Since I don't know how I can do better about the renovation part, so let's skip to the part about furnishing. Here's what I'm thinking about:

1. **Streamlining Design**: design is key to me and not something you can just offload to any old contractor or cleaner. Hiring a designer has not bee on my list yet, as it is usually quite expensive and takes a while. How do you guys handle this? Any tricks to make it smoother?

2. **Dealing with Furniture**: After buying the furniture, what's your plan for getting it all put together? Also, curious about what you're paying the contractors. I do have a price table for all furniture assembling. The price is discounted compared to what handyman will charge you for occasional jobs, but still, it can be quite some if you consider all the work that needs to be done (hanging curtain rods, all furniture in a 3be house, hanging TVs)

3. **The Finishing Touches**: Once the furniture is in place, there's still a bunch of stuff to sort out, like kitchen bits, drawer liners, and hanging pictures. What's your go-to method for outsourcing these fiddly tasks, and how much does it usually set you back?

Overall, I feel like I'm doing okay, usually getting a renovated place ready from the closing in about 30 days (keeping in mind furniture delivery can be a 15-day wait). I always focus on the bits that are harder to delegate, like choosing designs and decor, but I was exhausted every time. Wondering if there's a smoother way to do this.

Would love to hear your thoughts and tips!

Lee

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Leon Lee, so design will depend on the locale. Frankly I found it to be pretty easy and fun to do.

So we buy used USA made furniture so I don't deal with any kind of assembly for the most part. There are several services that can help with assembly. You just need to coordinate with them and the arrival of the stuff at the property. Taskrabbit is one place you can find assembly folks.

There is a ton of things to buy to complete the kitchen and other areas. We do this ourselves. We just have a list of things we want in the kitchen. Everything else we just find locally and do.

I guess I am not much of an automation guy. I don't relegate these tasks to others as they are pretty much the soul of the STR. The heart is our service. I want the place to look it's best and no one cares about setup of your place like you do.