3 Red Flags That Mean You Should Charge More

If you clean Airbnbs, there are three red flags you need to watch out for.

I'm not saying you should avoid these hosts. Actually, some of my best long-term clients fall into these categories. But what I am saying is this: these hosts are going to take significantly more of your time than your typical Airbnb host.

And your price should absolutely reflect that.

Let me break down each one and explain why.

Red Flag #1: "I'm Very Picky" / "I'm OCD" / "I'm a Perfectionist"

When a host leads with this in your first conversation, believe them.

They're not being humble. They're not exaggerating. They're giving you a preview of what working with them will be like.

These hosts will:

• Send detailed messages about things you missed

• Request specific ways to fold towels, arrange pillows, or stock supplies

• Notice the one thing that wasn't perfect, even if 99 things were

• Follow up with photos and detailed feedback after every clean

Again, I'm not saying this is bad. Some of our best clients are perfectionists who push us to be better. But they require more communication time, more attention to detail, and often more follow-up work.

That takes time. And time is money.

Red Flag #2: The Host Lives Close By (Or in the Same Town)

When a host lives 10 minutes from their Airbnb, they will show up.

Maybe they'll "just swing by to drop something off" right when you're cleaning. Maybe they'll drive past to "check on things" between guests. Maybe they'll have family members or friends who can "pop over anytime."

Hosts who live close by tend to be more hands-on because it's easy for them to be. There's nothing wrong with that; it's their property. But it changes the dynamic.

You're not just doing the job and leaving. You're potentially:

• Coordinating schedules around their drop-bys

• Answering questions in person during cleans

• Dealing with last-minute requests because "I'm right around the corner."

• Feeling watched, even if they don't mean to make you feel that way

Local hosts aren't inherently difficult. But they do require more flexibility and communication, which means they should pay for that extra service.

Red Flag #3: "This Airbnb Is My Main Income" / "This Is My Retirement Strategy"

When a host tells you their Airbnb is a major part of their financial plan, that tells you everything you need to know about how seriously they take it.

And they should take it seriously. But here's what it means for you:

These hosts cannot afford for anything to go wrong. A bad review could cost them hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost bookings. A mistake could impact their monthly income.

So they will:

• Check everything thoroughly after each clean

• Have higher standards than hobbyist hosts

• Stress about small details because the stakes are higher

• Communicate frequently to ensure everything is perfect

These are often the hosts who will text you on Sunday night about a cleaning scheduled for Tuesday. Not because they're difficult, but because they're stressed about their income.

You're not just providing cleaning services. You're providing peace of mind. And peace of mind costs more.

So What Do You Actually Do?

Here's my approach when I spot these red flags:

I charge 20-30% more than my standard rate.

Not to punish these hosts, but to accurately reflect the time and energy their property will require. The extra cost covers:

• Additional communication time

• Higher attention to detail requirements

• More thorough quality checks

• The mental energy of managing a more demanding relationship

And here's the thing: the right hosts will pay it without blinking. Because they know they're particular, and they know that good service costs money.

The hosts who push back on your pricing? They probably weren't going to be great clients anyway.

The Bottom Line

Red flags aren't dealbreakers. They're just signals that this job will require more from you than the average cleaning.

Price accordingly. Communicate clearly. Set expectations upfront.

Do that, and these "red flag" clients can become your best, most loyal, and highest-paying customers.

If you want to learn more about pricing strategy, managing difficult clients, and building a profitable cleaning business, check out our Airbnb Cleaning Course. We cover everything from setting your rates to handling high-maintenance hosts without losing your mind.

P.S. - If you're a host and you recognize yourself in all three red flags, that's okay. Just know that the cleaner who can handle you is worth every penny.

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