Start A Rental Cleaning Business

In the busy world of rental cleaning, the demand for sparkling clean accommodations has never been higher. At Rental Clean Pro, we’re not just teaching you to become a skilled cleaner, we’re empowering you to tap into a lucrative business opportunity with untapped potential. Our mission is simple, to equip aspiring cleaners with the knowledge, skills, and mindset they need to transform their cleaning aspirations into a thriving business reality.

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Why Should You Start A Rental Cleaning Business in 2024?

• High Demand: The popularity of short-term rentals has fueled a surge in demand for reliable and efficient cleaning services. This demand is projected to continue growing as more travelers embrace the convenience and flexibility of Airbnb accommodations.

• Low Overhead: Launching an Airbnb cleaning business requires minimal upfront investment. With basic cleaning supplies, transportation, a few business items, and a smartphone, you can set up your business and start generating income quickly.

• Flexible Schedule: Airbnb cleaning businesses offer the freedom to set your schedule, catering to your lifestyle and preferences. You can choose to work full-time or part-time, adjusting your hours and taking on clients to suit your needs.

• Good Pay: Airbnb cleaners can earn competitive wages, especially in high-traffic tourist areas. With experience and a strong reputation, you can command top rates for your services.

Build A Rental Cleaning Team Or Go It Alone?

When I started my short-term rental cleaning business, I had a lot to figure out, although I was no stranger to owning a business. The first thing to ask yourself is do you want to create a business, or are you simply looking for a side hustle? The answer is for you to determine. There are no right or wrong answers, it depends on what you want, but it is a very important question that you need an answer to right from the start.

The answer to this question determines how you proceed from day one, and here is the main reason that I say this. If your goal is to be a one-person operation, you can set your prices at very competitive rates, but, keep in mind that you will only be able to serve a small handful of clients, and when life happens, there is nobody to take up the slack.

Think About The Goal You Want To Achieve Down The Road

On the other hand, if you plan on actually making a business of this, you will need a team to make that happen, therefore, you will need to establish pricing in a very different way. If you go into this with the mindset of it just being you doing all of the work, a dollar amount for a job can look very lucrative to start, but then you start adding team members and you realize how you have taken clients on, will simply not support this.

That’s a problem as many new business owners don’t consider this aspect when they start. The fact is that it’s impossible to scale a business without a team, and it’s equally impossible to take on clients and then have to explain why you have to double their price. Another aspect to consider is that short-term renal cleaning requires your immediate attention and let’s face it, (life happens) so a one-person show in this business has its flaws.

Steps to Starting A Short-Term Rental Cleaning Business

It is important to understand that short-term rental owners do not typically pay the cost of cleaning, the guest is the one paying. The owner and the cleaner will ultimately take the hit for a bad clean, but at the end of the day, the guest is who we have to make happy. Some guests do not like paying a cleaning fee and they are looking for any reason to not pay. If they find one thing wrong, they will look for more to build their case.  We simply can’t give them any reasons, and this is where attention to detail is extremely important.

I have seen them move furniture and unmake beds to find something to complain about, and some will go to the trouble of creating a cleaning issue that doesn’t exist. The cleaning is the easiest thing for a guest to complain about if they are unhappy about any aspect of the property.

You Will Want To Establish The Following Items From The Start

Business Licence

Check local regulations and obtain any required business licenses or certifications. Most areas in the US do not require certifications for this type of work, but some basics should be covered upfront. It is up to you to research your area to understand what is required for your local area as well as your state.

Depending on where you live, many states, counties, and/or cities may require a business license to operate, and some do not. Some states require that a cleaning business collect sales tax on services. Make sure you know the rules that apply in your situation.

Company Name

I suggest something catchy, and memorable, or something funny. I do not suggest naming your business with your name (Millers Cleaning). Go to Google and type “company name generator” or something along those lines. Go through the numerous suggestions and write down things that catch your eye, or combine some of the ideas that you find. Try to come up with something that says, or implies what you do.

Company Logo

The way your company is presented means a lot. I suggest getting a logo done by a pro and this doesn’t have to cost a lot. People do business with people that they trust, and this starts with a professional look. This is where you can get a professional logo for your company for as little as $35 bucks. Click Here!

Branding Colors

This normally consists of 3 main colors. Shades of blue, green, yellow, and white are typically associated with the cleaning business. It is important to be consistent with a particular theme any time that you present your business. Several websites can help you choose and match colors. You will want your colors to go together, and you also want to choose text fonts, as this should always be consistent.

Get An EIN

This is your federal employer identification number. You can get this very quickly by Clicking Here. You will need this to open business bank accounts. This will also be beneficial in certain situations where your social security or EIN is required. I don’t like giving out my Social Security number when I don’t have to.

Choose The Correct Business Structure

Generally speaking, smaller companies (not large corporations) are established as an LLC (Limited Liability Company). This structure generally allows your taxes to be filtered down to your “personal” taxes. It also generally prevents someone from suing you at a personal level in the unfortunate event that someone wages a lawsuit against you.

My advice is to hire a licensed CPA for further advice, but you can structure an LLC on your state’s secretary of state website, quickly and cheaply. An LLC does exactly what it implies. It keeps your personal and business separate.

Bank Accounts

Always keep personal and business expenses separate. Keep a business checking account for day-to-day transactions. Business savings should be maintained for tax reasons. A portion of each transaction should be kept in the savings to pay taxes, and a credit card should be utilized for day-to-day expenses, but never pay less than the balance each month. Make sure that you have enough cash to pay your taxes each year.

Liability Insurance

It is essential to have liability insurance When running a business. Anything can happen and you don’t want to get caught in the middle of it. I suggest Hiscox.

Accountant

Find a good local accountant to handle quarterly updates as well as filing your tax returns. This is essential. Tax law changes every year, and it is difficult for accountants to keep up with it. I don’t suggest trying to wear all of the hats.

Quickbooks

Get Quickbooks and update it every day. You can track the following…

• Income
• Expenses
• Mileage
• Receive Payments
• Make Payments
• Keep Track Of Client Details
• Set Up Automated Payments for Clients
• Send Invoices
• And Much more…

Save receipts for everything. Your accountant can better guide you on setting this up and it’s very simple to keep up with as long as it’s done daily.

Set Your Rates

Cleaning rates are established in several different ways depending on who you ask. Ten cents per square foot is a good place to start. If you are dealing with a 2000-square-foot property, the base rate would be $200. The base rate does not include laundry, which will need to be done upon each turn. We add $20 to $25 per estimated load and we do require our hosts to provide no less than 2 sets of all bed and bath linens.

You Will Need A Little Start-Up Capital

Start-up costs are not significant for a rental cleaning business, but you should set it up properly, to begin with, and just like any business, it will take a little cash to get you there. You will also need cleaning supplies, which we will cover on another page. There are many great resources to learn from on YouTube, and social media to teach you what you need to know about the cleaning aspect, such as towel displays, etc.

Key Skills And Qualities For Success In Rental Cleaning

• Attention to Detail: Rental cleaning demands a meticulous approach to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness. Your ability to spot and address every speck of dust or stain will set you apart from the competition.

• Customer Service Excellence: Airbnb guests have high expectations for cleanliness and professionalism. Your ability to provide exceptional customer service will build a loyal clientele and generate positive reviews, further boosting your business.

• Reliability and Punctuality: Airbnb hosts rely on their cleaners to ensure their properties are spotless for incoming guests. Your commitment to reliability and punctuality will earn their trust and secure repeat bookings.

Rental Cleaning: What Is A Turnover?

In my area checkout time is 10 am. and check-in time is 4 pm. These times may vary in your area, and can also differ from owner to owner. If you have a same-day check-in, this means in this example that you have 6 hours to turn the property. If a property takes 4 hours to turn, you can see where you will have limited ability to clean multiple properties in a day. The term “turnover” refers to a same-day in and out.

Build Professional Relationships With Your Rental Cleaning Clients

For me, there has to be respect between me and my clients, and there needs to be a clear understanding of the rules right up front. I will make another post that specifically covers this. For instance, they need to know that if they have a guest who trashes the place and it takes twice as long to clean as usual, they will be charged extra. Make sure that they understand how and when payment is to be made. I email my clients an invoice at the end of each clean via QuickBooks, and they understand that it is due within 24 hours.

If you find a client that you constantly have to hound for payment, they may not be a good fit for your business. Many owners do not live in the area where their property is located so you are their eyes and ears and they need to know immediately (with pictures) if there is damage, something missing, or something is not working properly so that they can get the situation corrected immediately.

They also need documentation so that in certain cases they can charge the guest for damage that they have caused. It is important to communicate to your owner when the property is ready as many times have guests that want to arrive early. Solid communication is essential!

Conclusion

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading and invite you to join our Facebook Group by Clicking Here We will be adding blog posts packed full of information on how to start and run your very own successful short-term cleaning business regularly.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or suggestions. Happy Cleaning! For more information on this topic, you can click here.