My Step-by-Step Airbnb Cleaning Quote System

Happy Thursday!

No more throwing darts at a board. No more wondering if you left money on the table.

Today, you're getting the real deal, the same system that helped us build a $40k/month cleaning business.

Why Time-Based Pricing Changes Everything

Here's the key insight that transformed our business: we price everything based on time, not some arbitrary "per bedroom" rate.

Why? Because time is what actually costs you money.

Think about it: A 2-bedroom with 2 beds is completely different from a 2-bedroom with 4 bunk beds. One takes 2 hours; the other takes 4 hours. Same "bedroom count," totally different job.

The Calculator Breakdown

At samedayturn.com, we built a custom calculator that factors in everything. Here's what we look at:

Beds vs. Bedrooms (This is huge.)

• Bedrooms = rooms with beds

• Beds = actual beds that need fresh sheets

• A "2-bedroom" might have 6 beds if there are bunk beds

Bathroom Types

• Full baths take longer than half baths

• Each type gets different time allocations

Living Spaces

• Living rooms, kitchens, dining areas

• Each space has specific cleaning requirements

Exterior Features

• Front porches, back patios, pool areas

• Usually 5-10 minutes each, but they add up

Extra Spaces

• Offices, dens, playrooms, bonus rooms

• Anywhere that needs staging and attention

Flooring Types

• Hard floors: sweep and mop (takes longer)

• Carpet: just vacuum (faster)

• Square footage matters

Pet Considerations

• Pet-friendly properties always take longer

• More wear and tear, more details to clean

Real Example: The Dallas Property

Let me walk you through a real quote I did recently.

I found this property on Airbnb: 3 bedrooms, 4 beds, and 2 full baths in Dallas.

Looking at the photos, here's what I noted:

• 4 beds (2 singles in one room)

• 3 bedrooms

• 2 full bathrooms

• 1 living room

• 1 kitchen

• 3 exterior features (front porch, back patio, pool area)

• 0 extra spaces (clean, simple layout)

• ~1,800 square feet of hard floors

• Pets allowed (always check this!)

The Calculator Result:

• Time: 3 hours 43 minutes

• Our rate: $55/hour

• Total quote: $222

That's a $222 departure cleaning fee for what many cleaners would call a "3-bedroom clean."

The $55/Hour Reality

Yeah, we charge $55/hour. Some of you just choked on your coffee.

But here's what we deliver for that rate:

• Full turnover service

• Property staging

• Quality control checks

• Host/guest coordination

• Problem resolution

• Reliability when others flake

If you're a solo cleaner starting out, maybe you're at $20-25/hour. That's fine. But don't stay there forever.

As you get better, faster, and more reliable, your rates should reflect that value.

Common Quoting Mistakes

Mistake #1: Only counting bedrooms 

The host says "3-bedroom house" but doesn't mention the 6 beds inside. You quote based on 3 beds, show up to 6 beds, and eat the extra time.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the details 

No mention of pets, exterior areas, or special staging needs. These add real time but often get forgotten in quotes.

Mistake #3: Guessing square footage 

"Looks like a normal 3-bedroom, probably 1,200 sq ft." Then you walk into a 2,500 sq ft house. Whoops.

Pro Tips for Accurate Quotes

Get the address when possible. Zillow and Realtor.com have square footage data. Use it.

Study the photos carefully Count beds, not just bedrooms. Look for exterior spaces. Note any unusual staging requirements.

Ask about pets Always. Pet-friendly properties take 15-20% longer, minimum.

Factor in your skill level. New cleaners take longer. Price accordingly until you get faster.

Use Our Calculator (For Free)

Here's something cool: you can use the exact same calculator we use at samedayturn.com.

Just plug in:

• Your property details

• Your hourly rate

• Any special considerations

It'll give you the same time estimate and quote we'd generate internally.

It's the same tool that's helped us quote hundreds of properties accurately. And it's completely free to use.

Making This Work in Your Market

Every market is different. Our $55/hour works in Dallas, but maybe your market supports $35/hour or $75/hour.

The system stays the same; you just adjust your hourly rate based on

• Local market rates

• Your experience level

• Your service quality

• Your reliability factor

Start somewhere, test the market, and adjust as needed.

The Bottom Line

Accurate quoting isn't magic. It's just having a system instead of winging it.

With the right calculator, you can:

• Quote jobs in 5 minutes or less

• Stop leaving money on the table

• Avoid surprises when you show up

• Build a predictable, profitable business

You deserve to make good money for good work. Don't let poor quoting hold you back.

Try the calculator on a few properties and let me know what you think. I genuinely love hearing from readers who actually use this stuff.

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