I've done a handful of full property buildouts for Airbnb and VRBO hosts in the West Palm Beach area. Not gut renovations — I'm talking about taking a property that's structurally fine but needs to be brought up to guest-ready condition. New fixtures, smart home tech, security, cosmetic upgrades, all the details that turn a regular house into a property that earns five-star reviews.

The number that keeps coming up? Right around $12,000 in labor and materials for a 2-3 bedroom home. Let me break down where that money goes.

Ceiling Fans: $150/Fan

This is Florida. Ceiling fans aren't optional. Most STR properties need 3-5 fans — master bedroom, guest bedrooms, and the main living area. If there's an existing fan or light fixture, it's a straightforward swap. I charge $150 per fan installed.

For a 3-bedroom property, that's typically 4 fans: $600 in labor. Budget another $400-800 for the fans themselves depending on what you choose (Hunter and Hampton Bay are the sweet spot for rentals — durable, good-looking, not overpriced).

Light Fixtures: Throughout

Builder-grade boob lights need to go. Guests notice dated lighting instantly. I typically swap 8-12 light fixtures in a full buildout — kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms, exterior. At my hourly rate of $87-125/hr, figure roughly $100-150 per fixture for labor depending on complexity. Flush mounts are quick. Chandeliers take longer.

The fixtures themselves can range from $30 for a clean flush mount to $200+ for a statement piece over the dining table. Most hosts land around $1,200-1,800 total for fixtures and labor combined.

Kitchen and Bath Faucets: Starting at $250

Kitchen faucet swap starts at $250. Bathroom faucets are similar. A typical 2-bath property needs the kitchen faucet and both bathroom faucets replaced. That's about $750-900 in labor, plus the faucets. Moen is my go-to recommendation for rentals — excellent warranty, guests recognize the brand, and parts are everywhere if something ever needs service.

Smart Locks: The Non-Negotiable

If you're running a short-term rental without a smart lock, you're creating problems for yourself. Key exchanges are a headache. Lockboxes look cheap. A smart lock lets you generate unique codes for each guest, set auto-lock schedules, and manage access from your phone.

I install Schlage Encode and Yale Assure models. Installation runs about $150-200 per lock including setup and programming. Most properties need one for the front door and sometimes one for a back or garage entry. Budget $300-500 total including the hardware.

TV Mounting: Every Screen, Every Room

Guests expect mounted TVs. A 55" on a dresser feels like a motel. A wall-mounted TV with hidden cables feels like a luxury rental. I typically mount 2-4 TVs per property — living room, master, and sometimes the second bedroom and patio.

TV mounting runs about $150-200 per TV depending on whether we're running cables through the wall or using a cable management kit. For 3 TVs, figure $500-600 in labor.

Ring Cameras: $200/Camera

Security cameras are a must for STR properties — they protect you, and they make guests feel safer. I install Ring Floodlight Cams at a flat $200 per camera. Most hosts want front and back coverage, so that's $400 in labor for two cameras. Budget $350-500 for the cameras themselves.

The Full Buildout Budget

Here's what a typical 3-bedroom STR buildout looks like when you add it all up:

  • 4 ceiling fans — $600 labor + $500 materials = $1,100
  • 10 light fixtures — $1,200 labor + $800 materials = $2,000
  • 3 faucets — $800 labor + $500 materials = $1,300
  • 2 smart locks — $350 labor + $400 materials = $750
  • 3 TV mounts — $500 labor + $200 materials = $700
  • 2 Ring cameras — $400 labor + $400 materials = $800
  • 6 USB-C outlets — $300 labor + $200 materials = $500
  • Pressure washing (driveway + patio) — $400
  • Misc. repairs, drywall patches, touch-up paint — $800-1,200
  • Shelving, towel bars, shower accessories — $400-600
~$8,500 - $12,000 Total buildout • 3-bedroom STR • labor + materials

Why One Handyman for Everything

Here's the math that most new STR hosts get wrong: they hire an electrician for the fans, a plumber for the faucets, a TV installer for the mounts, a locksmith for the smart locks, and a separate security company for the cameras. That's five different service calls, five different minimums, five different schedules to coordinate, and five different people who don't know what the other four are doing.

When I do a full buildout, I'm there for 3-5 days handling everything. One point of contact. One schedule. One person who sees the whole property and can catch things that would otherwise fall through the cracks — that outlet with no ground wire, the bathroom exhaust fan that's barely spinning, the exterior light that's been painted shut.

You save money on overlapping service calls, and you save your sanity by not playing general contractor for two weeks.

How to Get Started

If you're setting up a new STR property, the best move is to walk me through the place before you buy any materials. I'll give you a room-by-room assessment and a full quote so you know exactly what you're spending before the first screw turns. No charge for the walkthrough. I want to see what I'm working with, and you want to know what it's going to cost. Everybody wins.