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Collin Hays
#1 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
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How much do bats in the cabin cost?

Collin Hays
#1 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
  • Property Manager
  • Gatlinburg, TN
Posted

It all depends on how fast you can get them out!

Guests reported bats flying in the basement of one of our cabins on Monday night. Understandably distraught, they left the next day.  That was a $1300 refund.  Ouch.  So what about the NEXT guests -  $2700 worth - that were due to check in this Thursday, 48 hours later?  This could be a $4000 hit on me this week - time to ACT FAST!  

My handyman was able to get to the cabin late yesterday afternoon. He had to tear out the entire chimney chase on the roof, where he discovered a rotted area that was letting the bats in.  Today, he cleared all of the bats, completely rebuilt the chase, re-flashed, sealed, and got everything battened down in time for the guests tomorrow!  

The whole thing cost me about $2,000, but thankfully my guy could get to it stat - he saved me $2700, and someone's vacation!

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SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.
5.0 stars
1 Review

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Andrew Steffens
#3 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
  • Tampa, FL
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Andrew Steffens
#3 Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions Contributor
  • Tampa, FL
Replied

Good story!  Was this a unit you owned?

I love (hate) when I have, for example, a unit I manage for someone else, have for example, an AC problem and its a $1500 last min fix.  Guests coming in the following day for a $5,000 reservation and the client wants to shop quotes.

Some people trip over dollars trying to pick up quarters!

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Vacation Rentals of Florida
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3 Reviews

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