How Much Does a Short-Term Rental Furnishing Service Cost?

Mehak Fiaz
Oct 3
3 min read

Direct answer:A professional short-term rental furnishing service typically costs anywhere from $6,000 to $50,000+, depending on the property size, furnishing quality, and scope. Competitors often charge $6–$17 per square foot just for design, project management, and labor — plus the furniture itself. At Bee Setups, we charge flat package fees from $995 to $6,500, plus the cost of furniture, giving you clear, predictable pricing.

Bee Setups Quick Facts (2025)

Average setup time: 3–6+ weeks
Average package fee: $995 – $6,500
Average total project cost: $18,400
Average ROI increase for STRs: +22% in first 6 months

Why Costs Vary So Widely

Several factors influence the cost of a short-term rental furnishing service:

Property Size & Layout – More rooms = more furnishings.
Furnishing Quality – Designer-level pieces vs. budget furniture.
Scope of Service – Full turnkey (design, sourcing, delivery, assembly, staging) vs. partial service.
Location – Logistics and delivery costs vary by region.
Timeline – Rush projects often require extra labor or priority shipping.

Cost Breakdown: Competitors vs. Bee Setups

Cost Component	Generic Competitor	Bee Setups
Design Fee	$6–$17 per sq ft	Included in flat package fee ($995–$6,500)
Project Management	Often billed separately	Included in package fee
Labor (assembly & staging)	Extra hourly or lump sum	Included in package fee
Furniture	Billed separately	Billed separately (no markup beyond package)
Timeline	6–10+ weeks	Avg. 3–6+ weeks
Transparency	Hourly + sq ft rates can vary	Fixed package pricing

Bottom line: Our model keeps your costs predictable and avoids the inflated per-square-foot rates that can quickly add up with other providers.

Step-by-Step: How a Short-Term Rental Furnishing Service

Works

Timeline: ~3–6+ weeks depending on project size, furnishings, and delivery schedules

Initial Consultation – We discuss your property, goals, budget, and style preferences.
Select Your Package – Choose from four flat-fee packages based on the level of design support and number of revisions you want. View Packages
Custom Design Plan – We create a tailored design with itemized furnishings, décor, and essentials.
Approval & Revisions – You review the design and request adjustments within your package’s revision limit.
Procurement & Delivery – We source all approved items and coordinate deliveries to your property.
Assembly & Staging – Our team assembles, stages, and styles every space for photography-ready presentation.
Final Walkthrough – We confirm every detail matches the approved design and is guest-ready.

See Pricing

Pros & Cons of Hiring a Furnishing Service

Pros:

Saves significant time and logistics stress
Professional design maximizes guest appeal and ROI
Turnkey process from concept to final setup
Predictable pricing with Bee Setups packages

Cons:

Higher upfront investment than DIY
Requires trust in the designer’s vision

Case Study: 3-Bedroom STR in Austin, TX

Property type: 3-bedroom, 2-bath
Package chosen: Premium Package ($2,500 fee + furniture)
Furniture budget: $19,000
Timeline: 5 weeks from design to handoff
Outcome: 28% higher nightly rate vs. market average, 95% occupancy in first 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you only work in certain cities?We operate nationally across the U.S.

2. Can you work with my existing furniture?We can incorporate existing pieces into the design, but full setups see the best ROI.

3. How much should I budget for furniture?A 1-bedroom typically ranges $8,000–$12,000, while a 3-bedroom averages $18,000–$25,000.

Conclusion & Next Steps

If you want a professionally designed, fully guest-ready short-term rental without managing dozens of vendors, Bee Setups makes it simple with clear package pricing and national coverage.