Say goodbye to bidding wars: The smarter way to hire Airbnb cleaners

My frustrations as an Airbnb host with multiple properties

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I’ve been an Airbnb host for years, and I currently manage several properties. Managing multiple listings is a full-time job, and between bookings, guest communications, and maintenance, I thought cleaning was something I could handle myself at first. That was until I started scaling up. More properties meant more stress, and I quickly realized I needed professional help to maintain the high standards my guests expected.

But the process of finding reliable cleaners wasn’t as simple as I’d hoped. Many platforms forced me to deal with bidding wars or hourly rates that left me wondering if I was getting my money’s worth. Cleaners were either too expensive or didn’t provide the quality I needed, and the whole thing felt like a gamble.

That’s when I found KwickTurn... and it changed everything!

I’ll explain why KwickTurn became a game-changer for me as a host with multiple properties.

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Why bidding wars don’t work when managing multiple properties

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As a host managing multiple properties, I’ve been through my fair share of cleaners. One of the biggest issues I’ve had to deal with is bidding wars. Here’s how it works on many platforms: I’d post a cleaning job, and cleaners would bid against each other, offering lower and lower prices to win the job. On the surface, it seemed like a good deal for me, I could save a little money by picking the lowest bidder.

But in reality, it was a disaster. More often than not, the cheapest cleaners provided subpar service, leaving behind dirty bathrooms or not paying attention to details like wiping down surfaces or changing the linens properly. And with multiple properties to manage, I didn’t have time to keep checking up on cleaners to make sure they were doing a good job.

The bidding war system also forced experienced cleaners to lower their rates just to compete. This often led to resentment, and I noticed that the quality of work or reliability suffered as a result. Cleaners weren’t motivated to do their best because they were being underpaid.

After one too many bad experiences with cleaners who underbid to get the job but couldn’t deliver quality, I started looking for better options.

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How bidding wars harm hosts and cleaners

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From a host’s perspective, bidding wars create unnecessary uncertainty. You may save money in the short term by choosing a lower bid, but in the long run, it often results in poor service that costs more to fix. I’ve had to pay for additional cleanings or even do the work myself to make sure the property was guest-ready.

For cleaners, bidding wars are equally frustrating. They feel forced to lower their rates to compete, even when they know they’re offering better quality. This system breeds dissatisfaction for everyone involved. Instead of focusing on delivering great service, cleaners feel undervalued, and hosts end up disappointed.

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Low-quality cleaning can cost you more in the long run

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Let’s be real: Guests have high expectations when it comes to cleanliness, and they should. A dirty property can tank your guest reviews and, in turn, your booking rate. According to a survey by Statista, 74% of Airbnb guests say cleanliness is the most important factor when leaving a review.

I learned this the hard way. After a bad cleaning job, I once had a guest leave a review about dirty countertops and missed dust in the bedrooms. Even though it was only one review out of many positive ones, it still hurt my overall rating, and I noticed a dip in bookings for that property.

The impact of cleanliness on reviews is undeniable. According to AirDNA, listings with cleanliness ratings above 4.8 earn 20% more bookings than those with lower scores. This shows how important it is to maintain high standards of cleanliness if you want to maximize your bookings and revenue.

For guests, a 4 star review may seem very decent, but for hosts, it could mean lower bookings and hurt our pockets. By the way, I've written an entire article on how to achieve Airbnb Superhost status with just a few simple steps.

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My advice: Don’t compromise on quality. Bad cleaning equals bad reviews

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Never compromise on cleaning quality, even if it means paying a bit more. Guests will notice, and the long-term cost of poor cleaning is far more damaging than the savings from a cheap cleaning job. One negative review about cleanliness can hurt your property's reputation and booking rate for months to come.

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Don't forget, always choose quality over a low price. It’s worth it in the long run.

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Why professional cleaning is worth the investment

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I often talk to other hosts who are hesitant to pay more for professional cleaners, thinking they can save by hiring someone cheaper or even doing it themselves. But the reality is that professional cleaning pays off in the long run. I created a whole article that talks about how different is to clean an Airbnb vs a regular home. As a property owner, you can clean your property maybe cutting some edges, maybe the bed has one hair, maybe the bathroom is not pristine clean. For your property, that's perfectly ok, but for Airbnbs? that's a bad review.

According to AirDNA, properties with higher cleanliness ratings can charge up to 15% more per night and have 20% higher occupancy rates. That’s a significant difference, especially when you’re managing multiple listings. Hiring a pro cleaner ensures your property looks its best, which means better reviews and more bookings.

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The game-changer for hosts like me: The KwickTurn Price model

No more guessing games with pricing

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When I started using KwickTurn, I was relieved to finally have a platform that didn’t force me to haggle or play the bidding game. KwickTurn’s transparent pricing model made my life so much easier. Instead of bidding wars, KwickTurn allows cleaners to set unit prices based on the size of the property and the services needed.

Here’s how it works:

• Cleaners set their rates based on different properties characteristics like the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, common areas, size, etc. They can also add pricing for additional services like providing their own cleaning supplies, laundry, etc.
• I onboard my property in the app, input all the details, whether it’s a 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartment or a 5-bedroom house, and when I'm looking for a Cleaner to help me out with my turnover cleaning, KwickTurn will show me the price automatically calculated based on my property specific needs and attributes. Game changer!

For example, if I needed a turnover cleaning for a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment, the cleaner would set a rate like this:

• $100 base price.
• $10 per bedroom.
• $20 per bathroom.
• $10 for additional rooms.
• $5 for bringing their own cleaning supplies.

I knew right away that I’d be paying $175 for that job. No surprises, no last-minute price hikes, and no need for me to spend time going back and forth negotiating prices.

This transparency is a game-changer when managing multiple properties because I can plan my expenses without worrying about hidden fees or price changes.

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Hourly rates: nonsense

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Before KwickTurn, I tried working with cleaners who charged hourly rates. It didn’t work for me at all. Sometimes a cleaner would rush through the job to keep it within the time frame, leaving the property less than perfect. Other times, they’d take longer than expected, and I’d end up paying more than I had budgeted.

Hourly pricing doesn’t give hosts the control they need. With KwickTurn’s unit pricing model, the rate is set based on the property details, and the cleaner gets paid for completing the job, not for how fast or slow they do it. This system encourages cleaners to focus on quality, not speed, and ensures that I’m paying a fair price for the work.

My suggestion: As a host managing multiple properties, you need a predictable pricing model. KwickTurn’s unit pricing takes the guesswork out of cleaning costs and makes budgeting easier.

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Beyond turnover cleaning, bespoke cleaning

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No two properties are exactly alike, and sometimes a standard turnover clean isn’t enough. That’s another reason I love KwickTurn, they offer bespoke services. So if one of my properties needs a little extra attention, like a deep clean after a long-term guest or cleaning and re-organizing the shed, I can easily request those services at a customized rate.

For example, I can ask for deep cleaning services to make all corners of my property remain pristine. I have a deal with some of my regular cleaners for deep cleaning scheduled once every 2 months for each property or special project needs that make sure every corner of my property, and not only the one used by guests, is well maintained.

Having these options and flexibility to customize my scope of work with my cleaner and request it whenever necessary, helps me keep my properties in great shape and ensure that guests always have a positive experience.

According to Hostfully, over 80% of guests say they’re more likely to rebook a property if it’s exceptionally clean and well-maintained. Offering bespoke services like regular deep cleanings can set your property apart from the competition and increase your chances of getting repeat bookings.

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Automated payments - one less thing to worry about

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Managing multiple properties means I’m constantly juggling tasks, and chasing down payments or dealing with invoices was always a hassle before I started using KwickTurn. I was managing cleaners through different platforms, exchanging pictures through Whatsapp and manually Zelling my cleaners, which sometimes turned out to be a challenge. Thankfully, KwickTurn’s automated payment system has taken that stress off my plate. It has automated the entire turnover cleaning process and is now running on auto pilot. Payments are processed automatically through Stripe after a project is complete, so I don’t have to worry about paying cleaners on time or dealing with any financial headaches.

For cleaners, this means they’re paid promptly without needing to send reminders. And for me, it’s one less thing to manage. Everything is done securely and efficiently, giving me peace of mind and allowing me to focus on more important tasks, like guest communication and property maintenance.

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Why experienced Airbnb hosts choose KwickTurn

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For some of you that are property managers or an Airbnb host with multiple listings, time is your most valuable resource. The more time I save on managing tasks like cleaning, the more I can focus on providing a great guest experience and growing my business. KwickTurn has been a huge help in reducing the time I spend on finding, negotiating, and managing cleaners. It has provided me with a reliable pool of cleaners and backups that I can count on, even when the primary cleaner is not available. KwickTurn will automatically invite backup cleaners and make sure the project gets assigned (or notify me if couldn't find someone so I can do something about it). With the Airbnb calendar integration, cleaning projects are scheduled automatically and cleaners immediately notified when they become available. The transparent pricing, customizable services, automated project scheduling through Airbnb calendar sync and automated payments mean I can trust the entre turnover cleaning process and focus on what matters most.

Since switching to KwickTurn, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the quality of cleaning across my properties. Because cleaners are paid fairly through KwickTurn’s pricing model, they take the time to do the job right, and my guests have noticed the difference. The positive reviews have been pouring in, and my properties are booked more frequently as a result.

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Say goodbye to bidding wars and hello to a better way to manage Airbnb cleaning with KwickTurn

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If you’re an Airbnb host, I highly recommend giving KwickTurn a try. It ha made managing my listings so much easier. I no longer have to worry about bad cleaning jobs or overpaying for rushed work. Instead, I get high-quality service at a fair price  can focus on growing my business.

Ready to make the switch? Trust me, you’ll never look back.

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