STR Cleaner wants more money for longer stays ???

Question

I have an STR and usually book it out for shorter stays like 1-2 nights at a time mostly. My cleaner recently mentioned she would like to get paid more for longer stays that are  like 4-5 days. Should I pay her more $ for longer stays like this or just pay her the same fee? My thinking is when there is a one night booking and the guest barley uses anything its not like she calls me and tells me to pay her less because it wasn't messy at all and there was barley anything to clean. I can see maybe if someone booked for a monthly stay. Just curious what was working for other investors? She does a great job and I want to keep her happy, at the same time I don't want to get taken advantage of since she gets paid per cleaning, she makes more $ when there are multiple stays within the week.

Carolyn Fuller · Answer

5 star ratings are significantly dependent upon your cleaning crew. If you have a reliable, thorough cleaner and you are striving for 5 star ratings, I would pay the cleaner whatever they request.

When I finally found such a cleaner, I asked her how much she wanted to make it worth her while to guarantee my unit would be cleaned perfectly and on time. I give her the monthly schedule a few days before the start of the month and she guarantees the unit will be cleaned in the window between check-outs and check-ins. Since she has been my cleaner, almost every single guest I have has left a review and it always is 5 stars! It is worth every penny I pay this cleaner.

JD Martin · Answer

What is the likelihood you can find another great cleaner? If pretty easy, draw the line. STR cleaners generally set rates that average out, meaning the big stays that mess up the whole house are offset by the one offs that use one room and the bathroom and never touch the stove or refrigerator.

Judy Martinez · Answer

Hello,

I hope you do not mind me providing my insite because I own a cleaning company.

Please note, I do not know your cleaner or the quality of work.

Regardless if your customers only stay one night or not does not make the argument for skipped services . I hope that your cleaner thoroughly cleans the bathroom, kitchen, bed, all furniture, vacuums, and mops.

You said that based on your thinking that she doesn't request less money for the hard work of creating a sterile environment for your guests when it takes less time.

My thinking is that what you are already paying her is the lowest amount it should cost for her time it takes to clean up after a guest that stays a night or two, so why should she charge you less if that is what you are already paying.

When guests stay longer, it takes longer to clean. Like all other professions in the world, cleaners exhange time, work ethic, and knowledge for money.

I am not saying you specifically, however, people tend to think that it is "just cleaning, " and therefore cleaners should get paid nothing, because anyone can do it. That all is needed is a mop and bucket. No skill is required.

I will repeat what I said in a previous post. That is the equivalent of me purchasing a hammer and tape measure and calling myself a contractor.

Cleaning is hard work, it takes skill to clean properly, it is not cheap to buy quality products, and gas is definitely not cheap.

If it takes longer than average to thoroughly clean and disinfect your prooerty, then yes, you should pay her more.

I had a couple of AirBnB that I stopped doing because all they wanted was to pay a flat rate regardless if it took me an hour or three hours.

Needless to say, I no longer have either if them as clients and will no longer accept AirBnB or others like them as clients.

I, myself, provide consistant, reliable quality results. I am knowledgeable. I purchase top quality product that is ordered and not over-the-counter products. My cleaning style takes time.

Just like there are quality contractors. There are quality cleaners. You get what you paid for.

I should add here that I only provide detailed cleaning services that properly prepares properties for the owners or next tenants, post-construction/rehab, and for commercial/ offices. Except for offices, I do not provide reoccuring maid or housekeeping services. My insite is based upon the type of high quality service I provide.

I hope that anything I said provided some insite to increase time should increase amount you should be charged for her services.

Thank you

John Underwood · Answer

You are the boss. Don't be strong armed.

Cleaning fee should be based on cleaning the whole house. Length of stay does not matter.

You don't charge guest for longer stays.

Brett Deas · Answer

I would consider it if the stays were a week or longer, but in my experience the difficulty of cleaning does not drastically go up after a few days, it is still the same work. I would pay them the same amount for anything shorter than a week.

Michael Baum · Answer

Personally it all seems to equal out in the end.

Our cleaner charges a flat rate no matter how long the stay or number of guests. Some days it takes her all 8 hours to get it done, sometimes it takes 3 hours.

She is happy, we are happy and it all comes out pretty even in the end.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I agree with Carolyn. Is the cleaner offering to charge less for short stays?

Are you paying the cleaner the entire cleaning fee, or an hourly rate? I charge a cleaning fee to guests, then I pay the cleaner by the hour.

Check what others are doing in your market and adjust, if necessary.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

Cleaning fees should be comparable to other similar properties in your area. Cleaning fees shouldn't be changed unless it's a month-long stay, then the guest pays more which in turn is passed on to the cleaner. Unfortunately, cleaners may try to demand more over time and a new cleaner needs to be found.

Andrew Steffens · Answer

I have a larger portfolio (65+/-) units varying in size from 300sqft - 7,000 sqft and that affords me some leverage on our cleaning vendors.  However, annually we have them bid all properties that they are interested in, to keep prices as low as possible before we sign another 1 year contract with them.

That said, they are paid per clean, not dependent on length of stay.  If there is a 1 night stay where they may be in and out in 1 hour or if they are there 6 hours, it does not matter.  If a property is thoroughly trashed, they can take pics and make a request for extra compensation.

As you mentioned, they do not call you when the place is barely touched to tell you to pay less, they should take the good with the bad.  It likely would be more good than bad for them.

STR Cleaner wants more money for longer stays ???

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