How to get Airbnb cleaning contracts

Starting an Airbnb cleaning service is like starting any new business. To get started, you’ll need to make a number of decisions, including naming your company, determining the services you’ll be providing, creating your marketing strategy, and securing the right business insurance and bonds.

After making these decisions, you'll be ready to approach customers and secure Airbnb cleaning contracts.

Will you clean Airbnb properties only, or offer services for homeowners and businesses as well? There’s a lot to figure out, but having a detailed business plan improves your chances of securing cleaning contracts.

The following are steps you should take when creating your business plan:

One of the first items to tackle is naming your business. To get inspiration, you might do a Google search or check social media for names of similar cleaning businesses.

You’ll need a name that gives potential customers a clear idea of what you do. It should also avoid similarities to competing businesses.

If you only intend to work in a particular city or neighborhood, you might consider using that as part of your business name. Doing so makes it clear where you’ll offer your services and could help you stand out in an online search.

A logo helps make your business memorable and establishes a sense of professionalism. You could ask a friend to design one for you, or buy an inexpensive predesigned logo.

Once you decide on a logo, you should use it when promoting your business through social media, business cards, and flyers. You could also buy magnetic stickers with your logo and business information to place on your vehicle during business hours.

Will you need a business license? In order to comply with the law, you may need to register your business with your state or local government. You can get more information on this from your state’s Secretary of State website, and/or your local city or county clerk’s office.

Will you be a solo entrepreneur, or will you hire people to work for you? It’s a good idea to check local online job boards and social media sites such as Facebook, Angi (formerly Angie’s List), and Craigslist to see the kind of wages an employee might expect. This will also show you how much clients are willing to pay for different services.

What services will you offer to get a rental ready for the next guest? Creating a cleaning checklist for yourself and your cleaning team will help establish your services and assure that both your team and the client are on the same page.

Your cleaning checklist should include specific services you'll provide and their prices. A lower pricing level might include regular housecleaning, such as dishwashing, linen laundering and sweeping the floor. Whereas, a higher pricing level would include specialty services, such as carpet cleaning and deep bathroom cleaning.

In addition, you might offer a reduced rate for properties where guests are required to perform some of their own cleaning duties, such as cleaning surfaces and disposal of trash and recycling.

You should also be transparent about your cleaning process, including defining the type of cleaning products you’ll use. It's a good idea to select products with consideration of what's popular or required in your area, such as the use of environmentally-friendly products.

A professional-looking website shows that you’re a legitimate business and provides key information about your business. It should include the name of your business, logo, services offered and corresponding prices, credentials including business insurance policies obtained, and contact information.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be an IT expert to set up a website. There are many web-hosting platforms, such as GoDaddy, that make it easy to create a website yourself using templates or hire someone on their team to do it for you.

The average hourly rate for Airbnb cleaning services is around $24 per hour.

The rates for Airbnb cleaning services depend on several factors, including:

• Location
• Supply and demand for Airbnb cleaning services in your community
• Services you provide
• Cost of cleaning supplies

You can get an idea of how much to charge your customers by checking Angi, the Craigslist site for your area, and Google. You might consider setting a low introductory rate for customers, or offering discounts for those who you do cleaning jobs for on a regular basis.

Starting a new business takes a great deal of time and money. You’ll need to protect that investment with the right insurance for your cleaning business. You might also need certain types of insurance to qualify for contracts or to obey the laws in your state.

General liability insurance is usually the first policy a new business owner buys. It insures against common business risks, such as customer injuries and damage to a customer’s property.

For example, if a client accuses you or an employee of damaging their lawn, your general liability coverage would give you financial protection.

Workers’ compensation insurance is required in most states for any business with one or more employees. It covers the healthcare needs and lost income for an employee who suffers a work-related injury or illness.

You’ll need commercial auto insurance for any vehicles owned by your cleaning company. This policy covers medical bills and legal expenses if your business vehicle is involved in an accident. It’s required in most states for any business that owns vehicles.

If you or your employees use personal vehicles for work, you’ll need hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) because your personal auto insurance won’t cover you during work-related errands. HNOA offers liability coverage for accidents involving personal, leased, or rented vehicles used by your business.

Janitorial bonds, a type of surety bond, reimburse your customers if one of your employees steals from them. It’s often required for those who provide cleaning and janitorial services.

Even if it is not required, bonding can give you an edge over the competition and help establish credibility with potential customers.

Get business insurance for your Airbnb cleaning company by completing Insureon’s easy online application today. You can compare insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. carriers and chat with an insurance agent about your business insurance needs. Once you find the right policies for your small business, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.