Turnover Cleaning FAQ
Maintenance Questions
Management Services
General Questions
TURNOVER CLEANING QUESTIONS
wHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE HOURLY CLEANING RATE?
are host boise team members insured?
Host Boise is fully bonded and insured, which means you can have peace of mind when you hire us as your turnover cleaning company. Ensuring our customers are confident in our services is top priority to us, which is why we're committed to taking every step necessary to make sure they feel good about choosing The Host Boise Team.
does host boise use actual employees or contractors?
Host Boise employs W2 company employees only. Occasionally Host Boise will contract out to specialized services, with client's knowledge and approval for other services, like carpet cleaning or maintenance. Every Host Boise Team member goes through a thorough screening process and background check, and is trained in every aspect of vacation rental turnover cleaning services. Providing and specializing in only vacation rental cleanings and not general residential cleanings ensures high-quality service every time.
do you do background checks on employees?
All Host Boise Staff go through a thorough criminal background check to verify the credibility of who works with us and who is entering your properties.
how do you handle laundry during my cleaning service?
Host Boise offers off-site Wash n Fold services to keep hours and costs lower for our clients. If a client prefers not to participate in our Wash n Fold services, we will preform up to a maximum of 2 wash and dry cycles per scheduled turnover service. To help keep costs lower, Host Boise Team Staff must continue on to additional cleaning assignments in the day, and can not wait for client's laundry over 2 cycles.
what are vacation home linen Rentals?
With Host Boise's Linen Rentals we furnish your vacation home with lasting, high-quality, commercial, hotel-style linens that are intended to withstand 100's of washings— 60% more usage than retail brands you're most likely using now. linens at reduced pricing for all our clients.
do you only wash Host Boise linens or can you wash our private purchased sheets?
Host Boise offers off-site Wash n Fold services to keep hours and costs lower for our clients. If a client prefers not to participate in our Wash n Fold services, we will preform up to a maximum of 2 wash and dry cycles per scheduled turnover service. To help keep costs lower, Host Boise Team Staff must continue on to additional cleaning assignments in the day, and can not wait for client's laundry over 2 cycles.
do you wash interior or exterior windows?
Coming Soon...
i have a check-in soon and my rental smells like smoke or another foul odor!?
We may have some options for you! Introducing Ozone Treatments. View some details below:
do you clean the exterior of the home if it's needed?
We do have options for cleaning of the outside of the home, please contact us for additional details. Pressure washing and other related services are available on a quote basis.
Do you take trash cans out to the curb for us?
Currently we do not have a trash can to curb service, if you have a cleaning service date scheduled on the day of or before trash pickup, staff can place the bins outside for you. We may offer this service in the near future.
are carpet stains or other spot treatments covered with host boise?
Our staff and equipment can spot treat small areas on sofas and flooring, however we do not carry the proper equipment and training to conduct a full carpet cleaning of a home. If you're interested in carpet cleaning, we can set up an appointment with one of our recommended vendor services to preform a carpet cleaning on your behalf.
do you have any travel fees, and what are they?
Properties greater than 15 miles from our home base will be charged an additional travel fee. Please contact us for a quote.
Maintenance SERVICES
What does the maintenance program consist of?
Coming Soon!
how much is the maintenance program?
Coming Soon!
why pay a monthly maintenance fee instead of just calling you when i need you?
Coming Soon!
what maintenance and property services does Host Boise offer?
Coming Soon!
do you offer lawn care services?
Coming Soon!
Do you have seasonal services like sprinkler blowouts, snow removal, property winterization?
Coming Soon!
What is ozone treatment and is it safe?
Coming Soon!
my home needs some work to turn it into a rental, what can you do for me?
Coming Soon!
Do you provide any 24/7 emergency maintenance services?
Coming Soon!
does host boise perform handyman services outside of the maintenance program?
Coming Soon!
How long of a response time does host boise have with maintenance needs?
Coming Soon!
is maintenance provided with full-service management clients?
Coming Soon!
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
WHAT DOES THE FULL SERVICE MANAGEMENT INCLUDE?
We will handle professional photography, listing of the home, reservation inquiries, bookings, marketing and advertising, guest meet and greets if needed, handling of entry codes and check-in/check-out monitoring, check out walkthroughs, housekeeping and maintenance.
Everything we can to do to help generate as much revenue as possible from your rental and save you time by completing most, if not all of the work for you. This includes arranging cleaning services, responding to guest issues before, during and after their stay, calling maintenance for some patches or fixes, plumbers, electricians, and landscapers.
We maintain your listings online, follow up with past guests for more extended stays, dynamically price to homes with special pricing software to maximize income like local hotels use. Finally we furnish you will monthly financial reports, break downs of costs and analyzing of performance.
HOW ARE GUESTS VETTED OR VERIFIED?
Airbnb provides screening through their verification software which runs background checks on all U.S. residents, including other hosts and guests, looking for matches with terrorist watch lists, financial sanctions, felony convictions, sex offender registrations, or significant misdemeanors.
Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
As a partner in your vacation rental ventures, our systems are designed to withstand market fluctuations, like that of Covid-19. And we hope you are ready, too. If fact, we plan to earn your long-term confidence, this is why we do not believe in locking clients into an inflexible contract. *You can end your business agreement with Host Boise at any time, with a 90 days’ notice**. Reason being, it's only fair to honor your guests reservations that are currently already booked at your home in that 90-day window.
*does not include 1 Year Lease Arbitrage agreements. **does not include initial 6 month start up agreement.
what is full-service vacation rental management
With Host Boise, we like to keep things as simple as possible with our Full-Service Management Fees. Our Full-Service Agreement includes but isn't limited to; consumables, supplies, marketing, cleaners and other essential services. No hidden fees. No paying multiple vendors.
Would you like to know how much Host Boise would charge for your specific property to be managed? Your % rate is determined by multiple components, including your home’s location, number of bedrooms, size and guest amenities.
What vacation rental management services does Host Boise offer?
Host Boise offers Setup and Consulting services for the self starter all the way up to Full-Service Management Packages that encompasses all aspects of maintaining a profitable vacation rental business.
When you work with Host Boise, you join a team of hospitality and marketing professionals who will handle it all. This includes professional listings on the most popular booking sites, targeted digital marketing, reservation management, 24/7 local guest service, housekeeping, and dynamically setting your nightly rates for optimal revenue.
What is Host Boise’s cleaning process?
Guests’ expectations are constantly rising, especially when it comes to cleanliness post Covid-19. Host Boise's Turnover Cleaning Services meet and exceed CDC guidelines, giving guests full confidence in renting your home.
Our professional, system trained housekeepers will sanitize all surfaces and use environmentally-friendly disinfectants. We also provide our teams with gloves and face masks for everyone’s protection.
All these expanded safety measures and additional time spent caring for your home come at no extra cost to homeowners or your guests.
How Does Host Boise Advertise My Rental Home?
Host Boise has a great standing with all the major vacation rental platforms, including but not limited to Airbnb, Vrbo, Trip Advisor, Hostaway and Booking.com. In addition to the top booking sites, all client's homes are hosted for free on our sister site StayInBoise.com, where guests are encouraged to book saving them high platform fees and slightly better revenue for homeowners.
In addition, your rental property will be included in vital marketing to our growing guest audience of past and potential guests. This can include advertising via search engines, email, social media, and more.
HOW DOES HOST BOISE PROVIDE A GREAT GUEST EXPERIENCE?
Even before we began providing property management services for clients, Host Boise has been over delivering a seamless, stress-free vacation experience for guests. A great experience equals repeat visitors and five-star reviews for us and you! It all starts with making sure guests choose the right home. With Host Boise's professional property listings, including stunning photos, 360 virtual tours and expertly written details, guests expectations are met before they even book your home.
Every guest can expect a perfectly stocked home with basic toiletries, paper goods, cleaning supplies, consumables like shampoos, soaps, lotions, sanitizer, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent and more... so guests have everything they need for their stay. We also have an easy-to-use complete online home guide, from driving directions to the WiFi password, at their fingertips.
After a stay all guests are encouraged and reminded to leave a stellar review. And if anything wasn’t up to expectations, we communicate with the guests and our local team to make things right.
How does Host Boise determine the nightly rate of my home?
Industry-leading dynamic pricing technology is at the core of what Host Boise was built on. Combining our excellent local knowledge of the Treasure Valley Idaho area, we combine hundreds of other factors such as weather, local events, and historic trends, our pricing tools update your home’s rates daily to fill your booking calendar and capture the top revenue.
Host Boise continually invests in data analytics and revenue management so our clients end up with more profits.
HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE FOR MANAGING MY HOME?
We earn a % commission that is calculated on the booked nightly rate charged to the guest. We don't make money if you don't make money. Our Fees do not include any other fees charged to the guest, such as cleaning fee, or any refundable fees or deposits.
WHEN AND HOW DO I GET PAID?
At the end of every month you will receive a detailed breakdown and report of fees, earnings, costs and taxes. Following that, all payments are then released to fund via ACH/Direct Deposit to an account of your choosing. After payment is initiated, funds should be in your account within 3-5 business days.
WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT MY HOME?
One of our most important parts of our Full Service Management is the ability to respond to any of our clients homes immediately if something should occur that requires a physical response. We agree, it is imperative to be available to arrive on site and be nearby, 24/7/365 for our client's well being, as well as their home and our own.
HOW OFTEN I CAN USE MY OWN HOME?
It's your home, you’re welcome to reserve your home for personal stays whenever you desire, however, obviously homeowners must honor any guest reservations already booked on your calendar. Otherwise Host Boise has no restraints on how often you can visit or stay in your property. To block out your travel dates, simply reserve them on our homeowner block request page here.
DOES HOST BOISE MANAGE AIRBNBS?
Absolutely! Airbnb accounts for more than 60% of our clients homes. When working with Host Boise, your homes will be advertised on Airbnb among many other platforms!
We can also market your vacation home on more platforms, including Vrbo, HomeAway, Booking.com and Trip Advisor to name a few. We aim to keep your booking calendar full!
Host Boise also provides high-quality professional photography, 360° tours, and custom-written, keyword-filled descriptions to make your short-term rental listing rise to the top.
HOW ARE GUESTS VETTED OR VERIFIED?
Airbnb provides screening through their verification software which runs background checks on all U.S. residents, including other hosts and guests, looking for matches with terrorist watch lists, financial sanctions, felony convictions, sex offender registrations, or significant misdemeanors.
WHAT IS HOST BOISE'S VIEWPOINT ON PETS?
Pets or no pets—it’s completely the homeowner's decision. Things to consider: Allowing pets can have some colossal benefits. Pet-friendly vacation rentals can be a huge asset to travelers with pets. Homes can invite higher revenue, repeat guests, and a great occupancy rating during off-season.
Host Boise cleaning services clean thoroughly after pet-friendly bookings, giving extra attention to assure traces of pet hair and dander are diligently removed. Our goal is for the next guests to be unaware pets were in the home before them.
Guests with pets will be charged a small nightly fee to cover additional cleaning procedures, pet supplies, and extra customer service.
DOES HOST BOISE MANAGE CONDOS?
Yes, Host Boise offers property management services for all types of homes and properties. Let us verify your condominium association is short-term rental friendly today!
HOW CAN HOMEOWNERS ENUSRE A GREAT GUEST EXPERIENCE?
Before every stay, we stock your home with basic toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies, so guests have everything they need. We also have an easy-to-use mobile app that puts a complete home guide, from driving directions to the WiFi password, at their fingertips.
After a stay, we encourage guests to leave a review. And if anything wasn’t up to par, we communicate with the guests and our local teams to make things right for next time.
EARN GREAT INCOME WHILE DOING LESS!
Forever, homeowners have had a choice: hire a professional property manager who could take care of their home for a cost, or they could manage it themselves, resulting in paying less, but doing so much more. Introducing Host Boise! The new choice, earn more money and do less work! We assist with permitting, regulations and taxes, marketing and booking your home and ensuring that every guest has an exceptional stay in your home, all while providing thorough care for your property itself. We provide a full-service vacation rental management experience that pays you more than anyone else!
ARE THERE GUEST FEES, WHAT'S MY CUT?
As is common in the industry, some short-term property management companies like to charge a booking fee to their guests. Host Boise does not charge a booking fee to guests to book directly with us. One of the greatest benefits to direct bookings is the to increase profits for homeowners and management while saving guests money, it's a win win situation! It's also one of the only reasons guests elect to book direct without the securities they may get with booking via platforms like Airbnb.
Host Boise is focused on relationships for the long term and prides itself on providing the highest possible revenue for our clients. For this reason, we also make our properties available through third-party channels (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.), some of which will charge their own incremental booking fees that guests will have to pay.
DIRECT BOOKING CREDIT CARD FEE
When guests book with Host Boise directly on the StayInBoise.com platform, we may charge a credit card processing fee. This processing fee is sent to the processing company directly, so this charge is not shared with our homeowner clients.
CLEANING FEE
Guests are charged a fee related to our expense incurred in cleaning the home between guests. This includes our staff's labor, supplies and includes the cost of retaining consumables used by the guest. Majority of times, this fee does not actually cover the true cleaning costs of the home to prepare the home as "guest ready" to Host Boise standards. In this event, Host Boise covers the remaining balance with no cost or fee to the client. This fee is not shared with homeowner clients, however as part of our full-service management, this helps maintain inventory levels of consumables - a charge not passed on to homeowners. Cleaning fees charged to guests are typically on average less then the true cost of providing 5* accommodations.
HOT TUB & SPECIAL AMENITIES FEE
Guests demand and deserve sparkling clean water, Host Boise's professional staff and maintenance team DO NOT service hot tubs, due to insurance reasons. Host Boise will provide middleman services free of charge with a professional contractor of your choice or our recommendation for these services.
PET FEES
Extra cleaning is provided, to ensure that your home is clean and ready for the next arrival after pets have stayed in the home. This fee covers labor and supplies to clean up after pets and is shared with homeowner clients on a 50/50 split per stay.
*DAMAGE INSURANCE FEE
A small fee depending on the size of the home that covers accidental damage up to $2,000—excluding damage caused by smoking, pets, or criminal activity—as long as guests report the damage during their reservation. This insurance is paid directly to an insurance provider at booking check-out and is not shared with Host Boise or homeowner clients. *if applicable.
Host Boise doesn't believe in charging guests direct fees and collecting profits without sharing with our homeowner clients. Anytime there is a profit to be made, rest assured Host Boise outlines these details and shares with our clients!
*See contract for additional details and splits.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
WHAT CITIES/STATES DOES HOST BOISE OPERATE IN?
Currently we operate with the Treasure Valley Idaho Area. Including but not limited to the cities of:
Boise | Meridian | Eagle | Kuna | Star | Middleton | Nampa | Caldwell | Emmett | Homedale | Marsing
How does Host Boise work?
The first step is to get in touch with our Host Boise Consulting Team—we’ll take you step by step through our service options, we then can determine if you and your home is a good fit, and go over your management ander service options. If you Host Boise and you agree that we are a good match and choose to move forward, we can enter into a management contract.
We’ll request access to your property so that we may confirm what permits or regulations apply, preform an inspection, schedule a deep cleaning of the home, and begin creating your home’s online listing. We always shoot to get your vacation rental up and running as soon as possible!
When your home is ready for guests, the Home Boise Team will handle everything needed to make the utmost profit, like:
Managing your home's listing(s) on Airbnb and all major booking platforms.
We will provide striking professional photography with 360-degree tours, and brilliant descriptions.
Leveraging our dynamic pricing technology to automate your nightly rates for maximum earnings.
Offering 24/7 online & on-site guest support.
Begin scheduling & conducting our professional turnover hospitality cleaning services.
We leave no details behind and cover every guest experience imaginable. We aim for thrilled guests, outstanding reviews, and all of our continued success.
Why Choose Host Boise?
It isn't easy managing a vacation rental or STR business —however Host Boise can certainly make it seem that way! That’s because we handle every aspect and inconvenience for you. Don't worry about taking untimely guests calls late at night, taking on the dirty task of cleaning the home after others, or trying to manage all the booking platform site listings. With Host Boise, your business takes on the persona of 24/7 local guest support, beautiful marketing like our 360-degree home tours, stylish & attractive writing, professional photography, seamless reservation handling, and top notch thorough hospitality cleaning services after each and every stay.
Best of all, we leverage the STR Industry's leading technology to set your rentals optimal nightly rates. All this with competitive pricing, flexibility for all ownership types, no long-term contracts, and the freedom to visit your home as often as you please.
What is full-service vacation rental management?
When vacation home owners are taxed with the hardship of being a plumber, housekeeper, concierge and maintenance men/women, they often circle around to full-service vacation rental management companies at some point. A all encompassing solution like Host Boise can handle all the obstacles and burdens of running a successful vacation rental investment. These services can include but are not limited to marketing of your home, fielding guest requests an occasional complaints, and providing immaculate cleaning after every stay.
While there are some national and local management companies out there offering some of these services, like advertising or cleaning, a full-service manager like Host Boise handles it all—you have one bill, one local business partner to contact for questions, and one solid local company completely invested in your home’s success from beginning to end.
What is this term "STR" I keep reading and hearing about?
A Short-Term Rental, is the renting out of a furnished home, apartment or condominium for a short-term stay. The owner of an STR property usually will rent out on a weekly basis, but some vacation rentals offer nightly rates.
Some jurisdictions define STRs as containing some the following elements:
- Residential Rentals for a period that ranges between 5 and 60 days (short-term)
- Renting of a residential structure, with or without provision of meals.
- Rentals can be an entire dwelling, unit, individual room, or portions of rooms.
- Can be considered lodging accommodations.
How does pricing the nightly rate work?
Once your home is listed on Airbnb, industry-leading rate management algorithms are set up and adjusted for your homes nightly rates based on real-time market conditions, almost identical to how fares are set within the airline industry. Homeowners would need a team of analysts working 24/7 to provide the similar results!
Part of Host Boise's fees & commissions are an investment in a shared success. Delivering a ever-expanding number of quality services in a fast-paced & growing industry, and our commission-based structured system will always keep our goals aligned with our clients.
local vs commercial management - what's the difference?
With Host Boise's local management & 24/7 support, you get a local team containing experts in home care and maintenance along with the right experience to handle every guest and client service. And because team lives and works in the great state of Idaho, our personal knowledge and experience in the area supports our rates technology allowing us to maximize bookings in off-seasons. All this means we’re able to retain the best local personnel and provide the best service possible to our owners and guests in OUR market, all year round!
Host Boise, also prioritizes goals in helping our community flourish even further. Host Boise aims to sponsor local events, donating to charitable causes, and shine a light on our local communities good doings throughout the year.
What are management fees?
Every facet of the vacation rental experience becomes painless as possible with Host Boise! Offering homeowner clients full-service management without the unpleasantness of being nickel-and-dimed.
Just some of what's included in our full-service management:
Assisting with city and county permitting and regulations & tax collection.
Receive professional photography and a 360° virtual home view tour via Matterport technology.
Search Engine Optimization copywriting & keyword placement for marketing.
Customer & public integrations with social media platforms.
24/7 Reservations booking and guest support - Before, during, and after their stay.
Guest vetting to ensure your home is safe and cared for during every stay.
Providing the best personnel teams in the business to deliver the quality care & support your home needs.
Your home receives gold glove care as we provide our teams with the technology, systems and tools to maximize their performance and efficiency.
Financial reporting, tax collecting and bookkeeping
Security of your home is at the top of our list, that's why we supply every home with all around exterior enter/exit camera systems and the latest smart lock monitoring systems available on the market.
Contact us to get a quote on management services today!
Can guests cancel reservations?
Since the object of this business is to serve our guests, we typically let guests cancel or to reschedule their trip based on the cancellation policy given for each home. Guests can typically move their reservation dates with no change fee if they do so at least 21 days before check-in. Guests can typically switch their reservation to another home hosted on the Host Boise network. These requests generally come from the guests and are not promoted by Host Boise unless a problem occurs with a upcoming booked home.