When guests walk into an Airbnb, the very first thing they notice is how clean and well-kept the space feels. A spotless bathroom, fresh linens, and a well-maintained home set the tone for the entire stay. On the flip side, a missed detail like dusty shelves or a leaky faucet can quickly turn into a negative review that lingers online far longer than the guest’s visit.
At the same time, travelers are paying closer attention to cleaning fees. With Airbnb’s push toward upfront pricing, hosts are under more pressure to balance guest expectations with the real costs of cleaning and upkeep. How you handle these operations isn’t just about logistics, it’s about trust and reputation.
Below, we’ll dig into the question every host eventually faces: should you outsource cleaning and maintenance or build your own in-house team?
Airbnb Standards & Guest Expectations
Airbnb sets a clear baseline for hosts through its enhanced cleaning protocol. The process includes five steps: prepare the space, clean surfaces, sanitize with approved products, check high-touch areas, and reset the property for the next guest. Guests may not see each step in action, but they absolutely feel the results when they arrive to a spotless and well-prepared home.
Maintenance plays just as important a role. A home that looks clean but has a flickering light, a dripping faucet, or a broken appliance will leave a poor impression. Small issues can snowball into negative reviews that lower ratings and reduce visibility in Airbnb’s search results. Consistent attention to cleaning and upkeep shows guests that you care about their experience, which builds trust and leads to better reviews.
Outsourcing: Pros, Cons & Use Cases
Outsourcing your cleaning and maintenance can feel like a lifesaver, especially if you are managing only a handful of properties or have bookings that spike at unpredictable times.
The biggest upside is flexibility. You can scale up or down without worrying about payroll, training, or managing staff. Professional vendors also bring their own expertise and systems, which can mean faster turnovers and fewer headaches for you.
Pros
- Flexibility – Easily add or reduce cleaning support based on occupancy.
- Expertise – Many vendors specialize in short-term rental turnovers and know what guests expect.
- No payroll burden – You avoid the costs and paperwork that come with hiring employees.
- Time savings – Scheduling and payments can be automated through tools like Turno or Breezeway.
Cons
- Reliability issues – Not all vendors are consistent, which can lead to last-minute scrambles.
- Less control – You may not be able to enforce your exact standards every time.
- Cost markups – Vendors build in their own margins, so per-clean pricing can be higher.
- Quality variance – Performance can fluctuate depending on the individual cleaner or company.
That said, plenty of hosts make outsourcing work by using platforms like Turno, Breezeway, or other cleaning marketplaces. These tools help you coordinate tasks, streamline communication, and maintain accountability.
Building an In-House Team
Bringing cleaning and maintenance in-house gives you a level of control that outsourcing often can’t match. You decide on the standards, train your staff the way you want, and make sure every property reflects the same level of care. For hosts who are building a recognizable brand, that consistency can be a huge advantage.
Of course, there are trade-offs. An in-house team means fixed payroll costs, even during slow seasons. You’ll also need to stay on top of compliance, from insurance to labor laws, which can add another layer of responsibility.
Staffing models vary depending on portfolio size. Smaller operators may rely on one or two full-time cleaners supported by part-timers during busy periods. Larger portfolios often benefit from a layered structure with a lead housekeeper, a few dedicated cleaners, and a maintenance technician on call. The bigger the operation, the more structure pays off.
Compliance & Legal Considerations
Before deciding whether to outsource or hire your own staff, it is worth pausing to look at the legal side of things. Worker classification is one of the biggest issues. If cleaners or maintenance staff are treated like employees but paid as independent contractors, you could face penalties for misclassification.
The Department of Labor updated its rules in 2024 and those changes are carrying into 2025. The guidance makes it harder to classify someone as a contractor if they rely on you for steady work, follow your schedule, or use your tools. Many short term rental owners have been caught off guard by this shift.
Insurance is another important layer. Whether you outsource or hire directly, you want to make sure there is coverage for workplace injuries, property damage, and liability. Skipping this step can leave you exposed if something goes wrong.
Cost Comparison
If you outsource, expect rates to vary by property size and location. A one-bedroom in a smaller market might run around $75 to $100, while a three-bedroom in a busy city can easily push past $150 per turnover. The convenience is real, but those numbers add up quickly when occupancy is high.
Building an in-house team shifts the math. Instead of paying per clean, you are covering hourly wages, payroll taxes, and potentially benefits. The costs can feel heavier up front, but you gain more control and predictability once your portfolio grows.
Laundry and linens are another big line item. Some hosts handle washing on-site, others use commercial laundries, and a few invest in linen rental programs. Each approach has different costs and challenges, and the right choice depends on your property mix and volume.
Decision Framework
When deciding between outsourcing, in-house, or a hybrid model, consider these points:
1. Small portfolios (1–10 units, spread out):
- Outsourcing usually makes the most sense
- Pay per clean only when needed
- Avoid the burden of payroll in slower seasons
2. Larger portfolios (20+ units in a tight radius):
- In-house teams become more cost-effective
- Greater control over quality and training
- Faster response for last-minute cleans or issues
3. Hybrid approach (common for mid-size operators):
- Keep a small core team for consistency
- Bring in vendors during peak weekends or back-to-back bookings
- Offers flexibility without losing oversight
Bottom line: Match your operational structure to your property count, guest expectations, and long-term growth goals.
Maintenance: Preventive & Emergency
Keeping an Airbnb in top shape goes beyond fresh sheets and clean counters. Preventive maintenance is what keeps small issues from becoming big headaches. Changing air filters, testing smoke detectors, servicing the HVAC system, and checking for leaks are simple tasks that protect your property and keep guests comfortable.
Not everything needs to be handled in-house. Quick fixes and routine checks can often be done by your own team, while larger jobs like plumbing, electrical, or HVAC repairs are usually best left to licensed local trades. Knowing where to draw that line saves time and prevents costly mistakes.
Checklists are a lifesaver here. Seasonal schedules for tasks like gutter cleaning, pest control, and winter prep ensure nothing slips through the cracks. With the right system in place, you’ll spend less time putting out fires and more time creating a smooth experience for every guest.
Tech & Automation Tools
Technology can take a lot of the stress out of cleaning and maintenance. Most property management systems (PMS) now integrate with cleaning schedulers, which means your team or vendors can get automatic alerts the moment a booking changes. This reduces the chance of missed turns and keeps everyone on the same page.
Quality assurance is another area where tech shines. Digital checklists guide cleaners through every step, while photo verification lets you see proof of completed tasks without needing to be onsite. Some platforms even send guest-ready alerts once everything checks out, giving you peace of mind before the next arrival.
The savings can be real, too. One example is the Hostfully and Breezeway integration, which has been reported to save operators around $800 a month by cutting down on missed cleanings and communication gaps.
Decision Framework: Which Model Fits?
Not every host needs the same setup, so the right choice comes down to the size and shape of your portfolio. If you manage just a handful of properties, especially if they are scattered across different neighborhoods or have seasonal demand, outsourcing usually makes the most sense. You gain flexibility without the burden of managing staff year-round.
On the other hand, if you are running 20 or more units in a tight radius and want to deliver consistent brand standards, an in-house team becomes much more practical. The control over training, scheduling, and quality can pay off in better guest experiences.
A middle ground is the hybrid model. This means you keep a core team to handle most day-to-day operations, while bringing in outside vendors during peak seasons or last-minute crunches. For many hosts, this balance offers the best of both worlds.
Key Takeaways
Running smooth operations comes down to watching the right signals. Keep an eye on cleaning-related reviews, how often service level agreements are met, and any missed or delayed turnovers. These KPIs tell you quickly if your system is working or if it needs adjusting.
The smartest approach is to start small. Test a setup, whether outsourced or in-house, then measure results and refine your process. What works for a single property may not scale to a portfolio of ten, so think of this as an ongoing experiment rather than a one-time decision.
Above all, remember that guests rarely care how you handle cleaning and maintenance behind the scenes. What they notice is consistency, reliability, and a space that feels cared for. Costs matter, but consistency is what drives five-star reviews and repeat bookings.
Let RedAwning Handle the Heavy Lifting
Deciding whether to outsource or build an in-house team is no small choice. The truth is, you don’t have to carry that burden alone. RedAwning’s full-service property management takes care of cleaning, maintenance, guest communication, and more, so you can focus on growing your portfolio instead of chasing down cleaners or contractors.
With RedAwning, you get the peace of mind that every turnover will meet guest expectations, fees stay transparent, and your property’s reputation is protected. Consistency is the key to great reviews, and our team is built to deliver it.
Ready to simplify your Airbnb operations? Learn more about RedAwning’s property management services today.
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