Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 21 votes
I have two STR properties coming online in April/May. What tips do you have for finding cleaners? I am not in a typical vacation area, so I doubt there are many cleaners used to dealing with STRs. Do I look for an established cleaning company? A single person? Craigslist? Care.com? What's worked best for you? Do I post a "wanted" ad or reach out to companies and discuss my needs?
I have found the few long term cleaners that we have had on Craigslist. I have always used individuals and not companies.
This is just what has worked well for me.
Lucas is correct in that FB marketplace is probably a better place to search now days.
John,
With hiring individual cleaners, how do you manage back-up contingencies if that cleaner calls in sick on a same day turnover? I'm concerned about a single point of failure. Guests showing up to start their vacation to a trashed house is game over. Sounds like you have a solid system.
I've never had that problem, but it is a valid concern. Go with a cleaning service that has multiple employees to eleviate that issue.
Hey @Amy Canfield, I am in a similar situation. Our lake house is quite a ways from the main town and getting someone to drive 2 hours round trip to clean is tough.
Cleaning is cleaning. If you have choices in your area, just get them in for interviews and get bids. Maybe you stay there for a couple of days and have one come and clean it. Test them out. That way you pay them and find out how well they do. That is what we did.
Check Craigslist and commercial companies. See what you can find. How big is your place?
Facebook Marketplace is the new craigslist and probably your best bet.
You can also go on Airbnb and ask your neighbors (your competition) for recommendations. This one is tricky and you’ll want to be careful with your words. Although I do find you’ve got to send that message about 100 times to get 1 reply.
A great real estate agent should have recommendations.
Thumbtack app is awesome when it doesn’t suck.
Hell post an ad on the board at the local gas station if you need to. Word of mouth is everything.
When we closed on our STR back in November in the Smokys, We didn't know anybody but the team here on the Forums. As we were working the closing dates, I asked my lender for recommendations, my realtor, my insurance agent, and even my Hot Tub dealer. Each of them gave me a recommendation for somebody to call. We held 3 interviews during the week we were there getting the cabin set up and eventually went with the one our realtor/lender recommended. They have become a Godsend for us and have helped us get to where we are in reviews thus far. I like @Luke Carl's recommendations as well. Also look at the Next Door app for your area and ask for recommendations there as well. Good Luck
Some people are not fully integrated into the digital world. Try looking at gas stations and convenience store bulleting boards. There are always people putting up signs and flyers for services - firewood - lawncare - home maintenance - house cleaning - moving -
Congratulations on your upcoming rentals. We found an excellent cleaning crew on TurnoverBnB. It also syncs to the STR platforms so whenever you get a booking, your cleaner is alerted and accepts the project. It allows you and your cleaners to be on the same page regarding the calendar, check-ins/outs, etc. The app is otherwise clunky but it does the essentials and has made our turnovers seamless.
I have found the few long term cleaners that we have had on Craigslist. I have always used individuals and not companies.
This is just what has worked well for me.
Lucas is correct in that FB marketplace is probably a better place to search now days.
John,
With hiring individual cleaners, how do you manage back-up contingencies if that cleaner calls in sick on a same day turnover? I'm concerned about a single point of failure. Guests showing up to start their vacation to a trashed house is game over. Sounds like you have a solid system.
I have found the few long term cleaners that we have had on Craigslist. I have always used individuals and not companies.
This is just what has worked well for me.
Lucas is correct in that FB marketplace is probably a better place to search now days.
John,
With hiring individual cleaners, how do you manage back-up contingencies if that cleaner calls in sick on a same day turnover? I'm concerned about a single point of failure. Guests showing up to start their vacation to a trashed house is game over. Sounds like you have a solid system.
I've never had that problem, but it is a valid concern. Go with a cleaning service that has multiple employees to eleviate that issue.
Hey @Paul Shannon, that is a concern that I have as well. We have a single cleaner right now as we did last year and so far no problems, but you make a good point. I am going to start to look around to see if there are any other cleaners in my area, but we are pretty far from town so that is a tough row to hoe.
A quick Yelp search typically does the trick if your looking for cleaning company recommendations. I use Nextdoor as well to get recommendations from local neighbors.
@Paul Cox Paul, I would be very interested in who you went with. We have had some real issues with our first cleaner (just refunded $200 to a guest because the cabin was not really until 2 hours after check-in!). We really like the owner of the company but it seems she may be having staffing issues, which I certainly understand and can sympathize with. But we need a backup option just in case.
I do not like companies or services or anything that's googleable or on yelp. I like someone that works for, or used to work for, a company -that's sick of being treated poorly and underpaid.
Whatever method you chose to find your cleaner.... don't forget it. Because you'll need to use it again in 6 months lol.