How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Property Management Company for an Airbnb?
Last updated: October 6, 2026. Pricing for TurnKey Stays reflects our published plans as of this date.
Most Airbnb property management companies charge a percentage of booking revenue. Industry guides commonly put the full market anywhere from about 10% to 40%, with full-service management averaging around 20% to 25%. Where you land depends on the service level, your property, and your market. At TurnKey Stays, our published plans are 15% or 20% of booking revenue, with a custom option for owners with multiple properties. Cleaning, maintenance, supplies, and other operating expenses are billed separately, so the management percentage is only part of what you will pay.
This guide breaks down the fee structures you will run into, what each fee normally covers, the costs that catch owners off guard, a worked example with real math, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Airbnb Management Costs at a Glance
Typical fee: a percentage of booking revenue, about 20% to 25% for full-service management according to industry guides
Full market range: roughly 10% to 40%
Other fee types: flat monthly fee, per-booking fee, hybrid pricing, one-time setup fee
Usually billed separately: cleaning, supplies, maintenance, repairs, and third-party charges
TurnKey Stays: 15% or 20% of booking revenue, or custom pricing for multiple properties
Time to go live with TurnKey Stays: most properties within two to three weeks of signing on
How Airbnb Property Managers Charge: The Main Fee Structures
There is no single standard. These are the models you will see most often.
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Percentage of booking revenue
This is the most common structure. The manager takes a share of each booking, so no bookings means no management fee, and a manager earns more when you earn more. The key question is how booking revenue is defined. Ask whether the percentage applies before or after platform fees, and whether cleaning fees collected from guests are included.
Flat fee
A fixed monthly or per-stay amount. It is predictable and easy to budget, but you pay it even in slow months.
Hybrid pricing
A lower percentage plus a flat monthly or per-booking fee. This can work for properties with steady bookings, but compare the total, not the headline rate.
One-time setup or onboarding fee
Some companies charge for photography, listing creation, and onboarding. Others fold it into the monthly percentage. Always ask which applies.
Co-hosting versus full-service
A co-host typically handles messaging, scheduling, and check-in coordination while you handle cleaning and maintenance, which usually costs less. Full-service management covers the whole operation, from pricing and guest support to turnovers and repairs, and typically costs more.
What the Management Fee Usually Covers
With full-service management, the fee typically covers the work of running the rental day to day:
– Listing creation and optimization across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com
– Dynamic pricing that adjusts nightly rates for demand, seasonality, and local events
– Guest communication, check-in instructions, and support during the stay
– Cleaning and turnover coordination with quality checks
– Maintenance coordination with local vendors
– Review management
– Revenue and occupancy tracking
– Owner reporting and scheduled payouts
Scope varies, so read the agreement. A lower percentage often means fewer services, such as limited guest support hours or no photography.
What Usually Costs Extra
The management percentage is only part of your cost of running a short-term rental. These expenses are normally billed separately, either to you or to the guest:
– Cleaning and turnovers (often covered by the cleaning fee guests pay)
– Supplies, linens, toiletries, and restocking
– Maintenance and repairs, including labor and parts
– Appliance or furniture replacement
– Utilities, internet, and streaming services
– Insurance, taxes, and local permits or licenses
– Professional photography, if not included
– Third-party charges and software
TurnKey Stays states this plainly in our pricing: the management fee covers the services in your selected plan, and operating expenses such as cleaning, maintenance, supplies, repairs, and third-party charges are billed separately. Ask any company you are comparing for the same clarity in writing.
TurnKey Stays Pricing: What Each Plan Includes
We publish our pricing so you can compare it with any other company.
15% of booking revenue
For owners who prefer to stay involved while we manage the day-to-day operations. Includes revenue-focused dynamic pricing across major platforms, timely guest communication during business hours, cleaning coordination between every stay, and monthly owner performance statements.
20% of booking revenue
For owners who want a hands-off experience with proactive management designed to maximize property performance. Includes all essential management services, 24/7 guest communication, professional property photography, proactive maintenance coordination, and a real-time owner dashboard with performance insights.
Custom pricing
For owners managing multiple properties who want a dedicated management strategy and a single point of contact. Includes all full-service management features, a dedicated portfolio manager, consolidated multi-property reporting, priority turnover coordination, and quarterly revenue strategy reviews.
Operating expenses are billed separately under every plan.
A Worked Example: What Management Costs in Real Dollars
These numbers are illustrative, not a guarantee of results. Assume a property earns $5,000 in gross booking revenue in a month, cleaning is covered by guest cleaning fees, and other operating expenses (supplies, minor maintenance) total $600.
At a 15% plan:
At a 20% plan:
The 5-point difference in the fee is $250 in this example. The question to ask is what the extra service buys you, such as 24/7 guest communication, professional photography, a real-time dashboard, and proactive maintenance. Use your own numbers to compare.
Is It Worth It? A Simple Break-Even Calculation
Hiring a manager pays off financially when the extra revenue they generate covers their fee. The formula is:
Break-even revenue lift = fee divided by (1 minus fee)
– At a 15% fee, management needs to lift your revenue by about 18% to break even
– At a 20% fee, by 25%
– At a 25% fee, by about 33%
This counts revenue only. It does not count the value of your time, faster responses that protect your reviews, fewer vacant nights from better pricing, or the stress of 2 a.m. guest messages. If you self-manage and your property is already well priced and highly booked, the numbers may favor staying hands-on. If you are traveling, working full time, or still learning your market, a manager can close the gap quickly.
To see what your property could earn, request a pro forma. It gives you projected occupancy and revenue so you can run this calculation with real figures.
What Changes the Price of Airbnb Property Management
Two properties can receive very different quotes. These are the main reasons:
– Service level: co-hosting, partial management, or full-service
– Location and market: demand, seasonality, and local events shape how much work and revenue are involved
– Property size and type: larger homes and unique properties take more time to clean, stock, and maintain
– Amenities: hot tubs, pools, and extensive grounds add maintenance and turnover complexity
– Occupancy and nightly rate: percentage fees rise and fall with bookings
– Number of properties: owners with several properties may qualify for custom pricing
– Property condition: older or under-furnished properties may need more setup and ongoing repairs
– Local rules: permits, taxes, and registration requirements vary by city and county
Hidden Fees and Contract Terms to Ask About
Before you sign with any company, get clear answers to these questions in writing:
– How is booking revenue defined, before or after platform fees, and are cleaning fees included?
– Is there a setup, onboarding, or photography fee?
– Is there a minimum contract term or an early termination fee?
– Do you mark up maintenance, supplies, or cleaning?
– Who approves repairs, and above what dollar amount?
– How often are payouts made, and when do statements arrive?
– How are guest damages, cancellations, and refunds handled?
– Who handles local taxes and registrations, and what do I remain responsible for?
– Can I block dates for personal stays?
– What reporting will I see, and how fast will you respond to me?
A trustworthy company answers these without hesitation.
Airbnb Management Costs Across the St. Louis Area
TurnKey Stays manages short-term rentals in Jefferson County, Lincoln County, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, with local teams for cleaning, maintenance, and guest support in each market.
Local factors affect both cost and earning potential. Demand shifts with seasons and local events, and your results will depend on your neighborhood, property type, and amenities. Rules for short-term rentals also differ by city and county, so confirm the permit, registration, and tax requirements for your exact address before you list. A local manager who already works in your market will know what to check.
How to Get an Accurate Number for Your Property
A percentage on a website is a starting point. Your real numbers depend on your property. Here is the fastest way to get them:
- Gather your address, bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, and current booking history if you have one
- Request a pro forma for a projected occupancy and revenue estimate
- Compare the management fee, the services included, and the separately billed expenses across companies
- Run the break-even calculation above using your own projected revenue
- Ask the contract questions listed earlier before you decide
With TurnKey Stays, most properties go live within two to three weeks of signing on. Our process starts with a property walkthrough, then setup and listing, then we run the stay and you get paid.
Airbnb Property Management Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Airbnb property managers charge?
Most charge a percentage of booking revenue. Industry guides commonly cite a market range of about 10% to 40%, with full-service management averaging around 20% to 25%. TurnKey Stays offers 15% and 20% plans plus custom pricing.
Is 20% a normal Airbnb management fee?
Yes. It sits in the commonly cited range for full-service management. What matters is what the 20% includes, such as 24/7 guest communication, photography, maintenance coordination, and reporting, and what is billed separately.
Are cleaning fees included in the management fee?
Usually not. Cleaning is typically a separate operating expense, often covered by the cleaning fee that guests pay. Ask how it is billed and whether there is a markup.
What is the difference between a co-host and a property manager?
A co-host typically handles listing, messaging, and scheduling while you handle cleaning, maintenance, and day-to-day issues. A full-service property manager runs the entire operation, including pricing, guest support, turnovers, maintenance coordination, and owner reporting.
Do I pay a management fee if my property is not booked?
With a percentage-of-revenue model, you pay the fee only on bookings, so no bookings means no management fee. With a flat fee, you pay regardless. Check which model your agreement uses.
Can I negotiate the management fee?
Sometimes, especially for multiple properties or higher-value homes. Comparing the services included is more useful than negotiating the percentage alone.
How long does it take to start?
With TurnKey Stays, most properties go live within two to three weeks of signing on. Timelines depend on setup, photography, and any needed furnishings.
How do I find out what my property could earn?
Request a pro forma. You will get a projected occupancy and revenue estimate for your property, with no obligation.
See What Your Airbnb Could Earn With TurnKey Stays
Tell us about your property and we will send a projected occupancy and revenue estimate within one business day, with no obligation.