I am giving up my day job and my partner and I intend to spend more time travelling, whilst still running our ABB. We have neighbours who could act as host when guests arrive and show them around the barn and be available if any issues arise. Historically we’ve had no ‘call outs’ during the past two years of hosting, but there’s always a first time.
Does anyone else do this and if so do you pay a percentage of the income or a set amount. Any tips to arrive at a fair remuneration would be appreciated. The daily rate is £139 with a minimum 2 night stay.
Hi @GentleHart
Probably worth looking at previous threads on co-host costs as this has been covered quite extensively
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Yes, there are plenty of threads here about pricing for co hosts. What hospitality and Airbnb experience do they have? How much responsibility would they have? There are lots of variables to consider.
Thanks for the signpost. I have just read previous posts on this and it seems 15-20% is the going rate, bar one co-host who gets 50%
Food for thought!
Really? Wow that seems cheap to me. You get what you pay for. I know a co-host in my area who charges 25% The management companies around here charge 35-40% AND add a management fee to the guests driving up the price.
RR
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Indeed. It’s a very difficult thing to get to grips with. Co-hosts ideally need to have hospitality experience and know how Airbnb works. It depends too on what the co-host will be undertaking, what hours they are available during the guests’ stay and many, many other factors. Every situation is different so a blanket percentage isn’t going to work.
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I agree. It seems there is no standard work pattern for a co-host, so difficult to come up with a reasonable standard. Maybe better to be negotiated on a case by case basis.
My current thinking is to pay a fee for the co-host to meet and greet the guests and direct them to a folder with the details of what we usually say to them when we show them around. (Also has the added benefit of the folder being able to be read again during their stay if needed). This should take no more than 5 minutes, but they would need additional compensation for having to be available for guests’ expected arrival times, which as we know can alter.
Then there’s the possibility of them being needed during the guest’s stay. So was thinking of a retainer to cover that service and then an additional payments if/when they were needed. Actual amounts can be agreed with the co-hosts, when/if they are happy with the formulae.
Does that sound like a reasonable plan?
Honestly it seems like you are minimizing this, looking to keep it as cheap as possible for you. What you are perhaps overlooking is you need to incentivize people. I would pay a set amount every time that is generous with the understanding that they may rarely get a late night call or need to wait for someone.
Good luck
RR
I agree that the house tour is one of the most important aspects of hosting your guests. It sets the tone for their stay and, if getting great reviews is important to you, can almost guarantee that the guests will love your place and want to transmit their enthusiasm to others.
The house tour is selling your place to your guests and shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.
It’s not something that should be glossed over quickly or attempted by someone who doesn’t have a ‘selling’ personality.
It such an important aspect, that I wrote an article about it some time ago.
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Hi Jacqui,
Thanks for the link. Interesting read.
I agree that welcoming guests and showing them around their accommodation is a very important aspect of successful hosting.
Our approach is somewhat different to yours though.
Firstly we only accept bookings after we have tried to manage their expectations by pointing out our barn is not a five star hotel and somewhat quirky, whilst at the same time ask them to confirm their acceptance of house rules. A two way filter, so to speak and both parties then have more information to proceed or not.
When they arrive they are met by both myself and my partner and we take them to the barn, give them the keys and don’t say a word. This is the first impression you mentioned in your article. The selling has just started using your terms. The first sight of the actual accommodation is either going to exceed, meet or disappoint their expectations. Monitoring their reactions (and our first impression of them, are they tired, do we/they want to chat) leads to our next step. This could mean a basic walk through of how the barn is set up (5 minutes) or we linger a while and have a chat.
So totally agree with the selling ethos, but believe the actual accommodation is the ‘voice’ of the salesperson and a helpful tour of how it works is an essential element if a host can offer this.
Thanks RR,
You’re right about incentivising the co-host. The neighbour I have in mind would be as keen as mustard, however is an astute (and very likeable) individual who will negotiate hard for the best terms. I’m just trying to prepare myself as best I can so its a win win for both of us:)
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If you are just asking the co-host to do a meet and great and nothing more a per stay amount can be reached btwn the 2 of you, let’s say $10 per meet/greet. However, if you are requiring additional items such as being available for issues or responding to guest needs then an increase to a percentage of the stay like 15% of the total revenue. So I would set your requirements and expectations very clear and then go from there.
I would not put on my shoes and walk over for that, let alone wait for the person, be available during the check in window. Say the check in window is 4 hours and guests are late, or guests are calling for directions.
RR
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Also, because the ‘meet and greet’ is so important, what quality of person would you get for a tenner?
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LOL…neither would I…but not knowing what her place goes for it was hard to put an amount…
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I presume if you are ‘just’ asking them to meet and greet, you have separate arrangements for cleaning, washing of towels and linens, and you will be managing the guest booking element.
Each guest is different and you can’t assume a five minute walk around will be all a guest needs, they are also likely to want information about the local area etc
And what will you do if the guest doesn’t arrive at the check in time you have agreed with them.
I think you can offer a retainer (hourly rate) for say a 1-2 hour check in slot, plus a higher call out rate for emergencies. You should provide them with a list of suppliers you use for emergencies and your cleaner’s contact details.