Those consumables for guests add up REAL fast, don’t they? As a host and guest, I often can tell when hosts aren’t calculating their costs. On average, each stay runs us between $35-$45 in consumables for a 3 bed/2 bath short term rental. And because guests have come to expect everything from spices and cooking oil to coffee and tea to basics like toilet paper and shampoo, it’s getting harder and harder to price at a profit point. Sure, you can bulk buy for some savings, but we have to be mindful how MUCH we give guests and how MUCH it costs us each time. So many hosts already price their cleaning fee under market for labor, cleaning supplies, and laundry service because the internet cried out that fees on Airbnb are too high. And then they feel intimidated not to also provide every consumable imaginable to ensure great reviews, but don’t want to actually build that cost into their fees. So they eat it, and along with it, eat their profits. Hear us say this, host, YOU DESERVE TO WALK AWAY WITH MONEY WHEN A GUEST RENTS. We want our guests happy & comfortable, but we don’t want to be losing money with each stay.
So what do we do:
1. Plan accordingly. Bulk buy. Invest in refillable containers versus single use.
2. Have a set system for what guests are given and communicate it ahead of time. Setting expectations is everything.
3. Build the consumable cost into your cleaning fee or nightly rate.
4. Match what hotels provide in the way of consumables, and be selective of any consumables above and beyond that. It is not your job as a host to make sure your guests only have to buy groceries, but if you want to be extra accommodating, make sure you are actually still making money and not just spending all they pay to provide them with consumables.
Hospitality first, always, but profits run a close second. Make the numbers work for you π
Hosts, what are some of the consumables you leave for guests, and how do you monitor the actual cost to you?
#superhost #airbnbhost #hospitalityindustry
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