BuiltDifferent.

Short-term rental properties experience three to four times more wear and tear than long-term rentals. With a constant rotation of guests — families, groups, pet owners, and everyone in between — your property absorbs an enormous amount of use in a short period. The good news is that most damage is predictable. Here are the five issues we see most often and what you can do about them.

1. Flooring Damage

Hardwood, LVP, and tile floors take a beating in STRs. Scuffs from luggage, gouges from furniture being dragged, and stains from spilled drinks are among the most common complaints we hear. Prevention starts with floor protectors on all furniture legs and a clear house rule about shoes. When damage occurs, act fast — a small gouge left unaddressed becomes a full plank replacement.

2. Wall Scuffs and Holes

Walls tell the story of every guest who has stayed. Scuffs from suitcases in hallways, nail holes from guests who rearranged decor, and dents from door handles are all routine. Touch-up paint matched to your wall color should always be on-site. For larger damage, drywall repairs are straightforward but need to happen before the next check-in.

3. Broken Furniture

Headboards, chairs, and bed frames are the most frequently broken items in STRs. Budget furniture that looks good in photos often fails under the load of actual guests. We always recommend mid-grade or commercial-grade furniture for high-traffic pieces — it costs more upfront but lasts three to five times longer.

4. Plumbing Clogs and Leaks

Bathroom drains, garbage disposals, and toilets are the plumbing issues we respond to most often. Installing drain screens, adding clear signage, and scheduling quarterly drain treatments can cut these calls in half. When a leak does appear, early intervention prevents water damage that can sideline your property for weeks.

5. HVAC and Appliance Failures

A broken air conditioner in July or a failed water heater in December can empty your booking calendar overnight. HVAC filters should be replaced every 60-90 days in an active STR. Most failures give warning signs that a trained eye can catch before they become full breakdowns.

The common thread across all five issues is speed. In a short-term rental, damage needs to be resolved before the next guest checks in — sometimes within hours. That's exactly what Jenco Construction is built to do.

Most STR owners think about revenue in terms of nightly rates, occupancy percentages, and platform rankings. But there is one lever that impacts all three simultaneously — preventive maintenance. When done right, it is the single highest-return investment you can make in your short-term rental business.

The Real Cost of Downtime

Consider what one week of downtime actually costs. If your property averages $250 per night and runs at 70% occupancy, a single week offline costs you roughly $1,750 in direct revenue — before you factor in cancelled reservations, negative reviews, and the time spent managing the crisis. A broken HVAC in peak season can cost a host $5,000 to $15,000 when you add it all up. Meanwhile, the annual HVAC service contract that would have prevented it costs $150 to $300.

The Preventive Maintenance Mindset

Reactive maintenance is expensive, stressful, and guest-facing. Preventive maintenance is planned, budgeted, and invisible to guests. The shift in mindset — from fixing things when they break to maintaining systems before they fail — is what separates profitable STR operators from frustrated ones.

What to Maintain and When

Monthly: Test smoke and CO detectors, check for slow drains, inspect caulking, check all light bulbs.

Quarterly: Replace HVAC filters, flush water heater, inspect plumbing under sinks, test all door and window locks, deep clean appliances.

Annually: Full HVAC service, roof inspection, pest control, repaint high-traffic walls, assess furniture condition.

The ROI Is Undeniable

Properties with consistent maintenance records average 15-20% higher annual revenue than comparable properties managed reactively — not because they charge more per night, but because they have fewer cancellations, better reviews, and longer booking windows.

Your phone rings at 2AM. Guests at your STR report water pouring from under the bathroom sink. You're in Boise. Your cleaner doesn't answer. Your regular plumber opens at 8AM. What do you do?

This scenario happens to STR owners across the country every single night. Having a plan before it happens is the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a catastrophic loss.

Step 1: Stop the Water

The single most important thing you can do is stop the water. Every STR owner should have the location of the main water shutoff valve documented and accessible to guests. Include it in your welcome guide. Stopping the water source immediately can prevent thousands of dollars in additional damage.

Step 2: Document Everything

Have your guests take photos and video of the damage immediately. This documentation is critical for insurance claims and for your contractor to assess the situation before arriving.

Step 3: Assess Guest Safety

Is the property safe for guests to remain? Minor leaks that are contained are usually fine. Significant water intrusion near electrical panels or structural areas may require guests to relocate. Have a list of nearby hotels ready and be prepared to cover the cost.

Step 4: Call Your Emergency Contractor

This is where having a relationship with Jenco Construction pays off. We provide 24/7 emergency response for STR properties nationwide. When you call at 2AM, you reach a real person who can dispatch a licensed contractor to your property.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance

Call your insurance carrier as soon as the immediate situation is under control. Most policies have a 24-hour emergency claims line. Early notification is essential — many policies limit coverage if damage is not reported promptly.

Step 6: Communicate with Guests

Guests who feel heard and taken care of during an emergency rarely leave negative reviews. Be honest, apologetic, and action-oriented. The way you handle the crisis matters as much as the crisis itself.