Vacation rental turnovers move fast—one guest checks out, the next checks in within hours. Setting the wrong price for this service either leaves money on the table or makes you uncompetitive against cleaners who understand the market. Here's what you need to charge in 2024 to stay profitable while winning jobs.
Market Rates by Property Size
Turnover cleaning pricing hinges almost entirely on square footage and occupancy turnover speed.
Studio to 1-bedroom units (400–700 sq ft): $150–$250 per turnover. These are quick jobs—typically 2–3 hours. If you're in a high-demand market (Miami, Denver, coastal California), push toward $250. Rural or secondary markets lean toward $150–$180.
2-bedroom units (800–1,200 sq ft): $250–$400. Plan for 3–4 hours of labor. Properties with multiple bathrooms justify the upper range.
3+ bedroom homes (1,200+ sq ft): $400–$700. Some property managers in tier-one cities charge $800+, especially for deep cleans or same-day turnovers (premium rush fees apply).
The gap between a standard turnover and a deep clean is significant. Many owners charge 40–60% more for a post-guest deep clean versus a quick turnover.
Factors That Justify Higher Pricing
Not all rentals are created equal. Identify these variables to defend premium rates:
- Occupancy frequency: Daily turnovers (Airbnb-heavy models) justify $50–$100 premiums because you're predictable revenue. Weekly turnovers are lower margin.
- Distance and travel time: Properties more than 20 minutes from your base add 30 minutes to your day. Charge $40–$60 extra or establish a service radius.
- Linen and laundry: If you're replacing all linens, washing towels on-site, or managing a linen inventory, add $30–$75 per turnover.
- Pet policies: Pet-friendly rentals require enzymatic treatments, extra vacuuming, and odor control. Charge $50–$100 more.
- Same-day or rush turnovers: If a guest checks out at 11 AM and the next arrives at 4 PM, you're under time pressure. Add 50–75% to your base rate.
- Platform-specific fees: Airbnb and VRBO take commissions, and property managers sometimes negotiate net rates. Make sure you're calculating your take-home, not the listed price.
Upsells That Increase Revenue Per Property
Turnovers are commoditized; differentiation comes from add-ons.
Laundry services: $20–$40 per load. Guests often ask for post-stay laundry. Property managers will pay for this convenience.
Restocking supplies: Toiletries, paper products, coffee, snacks. Mark up your costs 30–50% and add $15–$30 to the turnover.
Carpet and rug cleaning: $100–$300 depending on square footage. Quarterly or post-damage; properties will contract separately.
Window cleaning: $75–$150. Advertise this as optional when pitching your turnover service.
Trash removal and disposal: Especially for properties with multiple bins or bulk items left behind. Charge $25–$50 if it exceeds standard pickup.
Getting Booked Consistently
Property managers hire cleaners based on reliability, speed, and willingness to work odd hours. Competitive pricing alone won't fill your calendar.
Create a simple one-page rate card that shows:
- Turnover cleaning price by property size
- Deep clean pricing (typically 25–40% higher)
- Add-on services with clear costs
- Availability and turnaround time (same-day vs. next-day)
- Your service area or minimum property distance
Pitch to property managers, not individual Airbnb hosts. Managers control multiple properties and repeat business. A single manager booking 10 turnovers monthly is more valuable than sporadic one-off jobs. Getting listed on platforms like Mercoly where property managers actively search for turnover cleaning services helps you win consistent leads and establish your pricing power with qualified buyers.
Build relationships with local property management companies. Offer a 5–10% discount for contracts with minimum monthly turnover commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I quote hourly or per-property for vacation rentals? Per-property pricing is standard in this market because property managers and owners expect predictability. Hourly rates create friction during negotiations and are harder to scale as you add staff.
Q: How do I price when a guest has left the property damaged? Charge your standard turnover rate, then add a separate damage/deep clean invoice. Some owners bill the guest directly; property managers often absorb minor damage costs and expect you to handle cleanup as part of service.
Q: Can I raise my turnover prices mid-year if demand is high? Yes, but communicate 30 days in advance to active property managers. Seasonal rate increases (tourist season premiums) are industry-standard. Existing contracts should honor the agreed rate until renewal.
Start with market research in your specific area, test your pricing on 2–3 properties, then refine based on feedback and profitability.