Episode 187: Managing Airbnb's - Business Tip of the Month with Bryan Banta of National Pool Partners
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Episode Summary
In today’s edition of Business Tip of the Month, we’re joined by Bryan Banta, Founding Partner and President at National Pool Partners.
Listen in as Bryan answers the two questions, “Should you consider Airbnb accounts?” and, “How can you reduce risks and make a profit servicing vacation rentals?” When it comes to these accounts, pool professionals often become confused when it comes to pricing and factoring in liability.
“The problem we have here is that these are pools in residential neighborhoods, they have the same size as every other pool on the street that you’re probably already servicing, and maybe they even bought the house from a previous customer and now they’re renting it out.”
Bryan stresses the importance of clarifying with the prospect whether or not the property is a vacation rental right off the bat, and setting expectations with them in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes profit.
Topics Discussed
00:40 - Challenges that the AirBnB phenomenon presents to pool pros
01:41 - Determining which properties are AirBnBs
05:50 - What to require of clients with vacation rentals
09:30 - Dealing with vacation rentals emergencies
13:24 - Additional time and chemicals that vacation rentals typically need
17:54 - Added risks of taking on a vacation rental versus a normal pool
22:23 - Reducing risks and making a profit servicing vacation rentals
Key Quotes From Episode
The Airbnb vacation rental phenomenon is beginning to take off in every single market that has pools. It’s a weird little gray zone where they’re not really residential and they’re not really commercial. In other words, there is really no oversight or regulation to determine how they should be treated.
You find yourself in this weird spot where they’re priced like all your other swimming pools, but they’re not the same. So, all of the loss comes to you as a business owner or as a pool guy. You’re responsible for making up the difference.
If you can align yourself with the homeowner, you’re going to make more money, you’re going to reduce your risks, and you’re going to have a better experience for your techs.