Turnover
Turnover is the complete cleaning, restocking, and preparation process that takes place between one guest's departure and the next guest's arrival at a short-term rental property. It encompasses everything required to return the property to a guest-ready state, including deep cleaning, laundry, supply replenishment, and damage inspection.
Key Takeaways
- Turnover is one of the highest recurring operational costs in short-term rentals, typically $75-$350+ per stay
- Efficient turnovers are critical when back-to-back bookings have the same check-out and check-in day
- Automating turnover scheduling through a PMS reduces coordination time and missed cleanings
- The cleaning fee should be calibrated to cover turnover costs without discouraging bookings
- Longer minimum stays reduce turnover frequency and increase profit margins
The Turnover Process
A well-organized turnover follows a consistent checklist:
Phase 1 -- Departure Check -- Verify guest has checked out, inspect for damage, check for lost items, and note any maintenance needs.
Phase 2 -- Deep Clean -- Clean all surfaces, bathrooms, kitchen, and floors. Sanitize high-touch areas. Clean appliances inside and out. Wash windows if needed.
Phase 3 -- Laundry -- Strip and replace all bed linens, towels, and bath mats. Many hosts use a linen service or have backup sets to speed up this process.
Phase 5 -- Stage & Verify -- Arrange the space to match listing photos. Run a final walkthrough using a checklist, and take verification photos for your records.
Why Turnovers Matter for Airbnb Hosts
- Guest satisfaction: A spotless, well-prepared property drives 5-star reviews and repeat bookings
- Revenue impact: Efficient same-day turnovers allow back-to-back bookings, maximizing occupancy
- Cost management: Turnovers are typically 15-25% of total operating costs, making efficiency essential for profitability
- Damage prevention: Regular inspections during turnovers catch maintenance issues before they escalate
Turnover Cost Benchmarks
| Property Size | Avg. Turnover Cost | Typical Duration | Recommended Team Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR | $75-$150 | 1.5-2.5 hours | 1 cleaner |
| 2BR | $100-$200 | 2-3 hours | 1-2 cleaners |
| 3BR | $130-$250 | 3-4 hours | 2 cleaners |
| 4BR+ | $180-$350+ | 4-6 hours | 2-3 cleaners |
Tips for Streamlining Turnovers
- Create a detailed checklist with photos -- standardize exactly what "guest-ready" looks like so quality stays consistent regardless of which cleaner performs the turnover
- Automate scheduling -- use your PMS to automatically notify cleaners when a checkout occurs and a turnover is needed
- Keep backup linens -- having two sets of sheets and towels per bed eliminates waiting for laundry and speeds up turnovers significantly
- Build a buffer between bookings -- if turnovers are tight, block the night between stays or set check-in time to 4 PM and check-out to 10 AM for a 6-hour window
- Use cleaning verification photos -- require cleaners to submit photos of each room after completion, which protects against guest complaints and damage disputes
Frequently Asked Questions
A turnover is the complete cleaning and preparation process that occurs between one guest's checkout and the next guest's check-in. It includes deep cleaning, restocking supplies, laundry, inspecting for damage, and staging the property to be guest-ready. Turnovers are one of the largest recurring operational costs for STR hosts.
A typical turnover takes 2-4 hours for a standard one- or two-bedroom property. Larger homes with 4+ bedrooms may require 4-6 hours or a team of multiple cleaners. The time depends on property size, number of beds, cleaning standards, and whether laundry is done on-site or off-site.
Turnover costs typically range from $75-$150 for a one-bedroom property, $100-$200 for a two-bedroom, and $150-$350+ for larger homes. These costs should be partially or fully covered by your cleaning fee. Budget an additional 10-15% for supplies and laundry service.