Short-Term Rental Design Companies: Reviews and What They Don’t Tell You
- Mehak Fiaz
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Introduction
Online reviews can be a goldmine of information — or a smoke screen. When researching short-term rental (STR) design companies, you’ll likely find a mix of glowing testimonials, scathing complaints, and vague comments that don’t tell the full story.
In this blog, we’ll break down how to read STR design company reviews critically, what red flags to watch for, and the key questions to ask before you hire.
1. The Problem with Reviews Alone
Reviews are important, but they’re not the whole picture.
Why?
Clients often post reviews early — sometimes before the project is complete.
Happy customers don’t always write reviews unless prompted.
Negative reviews can be skewed by one-off issues or unrealistic expectations.
When you’re evaluating a furnishing or design company, context is everything.
2. What Companies Showcase vs. What They Hide
Most companies handpick their best reviews for their website and social media.
What you see:
High-quality images of their best projects.
Testimonials with no mention of hiccups.
What you don’t see:
Delays due to supply chain issues.
Budget creep from client-requested changes.
How the company handled unexpected problems.
Bee Setups advantage: We focus on transparency. Our team sets realistic timelines, budgets, and revision expectations upfront so you’re never blindsided.
3. Reading Between the Lines in Reviews
A five-star review that says “Great job!” tells you almost nothing. Look for:
Specific details about the process, communication, and final results.
Mentions of problem-solving — how issues were handled, not just avoided.
Consistency across reviews — one glowing review doesn’t outweigh multiple mixed ones.
4. The Role of Project Minimums and Pricing
Some reviews complain about “high” prices without context.
Reality check: STR design involves more than just picking furniture — it’s logistics, assembly, sourcing, and staging.
Bee Setups has a project minimum of $15K and most setups range from $20K–$25K+, which includes:
Furniture & essentials
Professional design & sourcing
Full delivery, assembly, and staging
5. Why Timing Matters in Reviews
A review written the week after setup might not reflect how the design holds up months later.
What to ask:
How long ago was the project completed?
How has the property performed since launch?
Have there been any issues with furniture durability or guest feedback?
Bee Setups uses guest-proof, durable furnishings to minimize wear-and-tear complaints.
6. Key Questions to Ask Before You Hire
To go beyond reviews, ask:
How many STR-specific projects have you completed?
Can I speak to a past client about their experience?
How do you handle budget changes mid-project?
What’s included in your setup — and what’s not?
How do you ensure the property is truly guest-ready?
7. The Bee Setups Difference
Nationwide U.S. service
Flat design fees from $995–$6,500
Full guest-ready setups, not just furniture delivery
Transparent communication from start to finish
Proven impact on booking rates and guest satisfaction
Contact Us to see how we can help launch your STR faster and better.
Bottom Line
Reviews are a starting point — not the final word. The best way to evaluate a short-term rental design company is to combine review research with direct questions, a clear scope of work, and transparent pricing.
When you dig deeper, you’ll quickly separate the companies that can truly deliver from those that just look good online.