Vacation Rentals: Do It Yourself, Done With You and Done For You

Do It Yourself, Done With You, and Done For You are three different service levels or business models in the vacation rental space.

Each catering to different types of property owners or investors based on their time, expertise and involvement preferences.

Table of Contents

Vacation Rental Services DIY, DWY, DFY

Definition: You handle everything yourself.
Ideal For: Hands-on owners who want full control and are comfortable managing operations.
What You Handle:
- Listing the property on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo or Domits
- Guest communication
- Pricing and calendar management
- Cleaning and maintenance coordination
Pros:
- Highest potential profits (no management fees)
- Full control over guest experience
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Can be stressful, especially with multiple properties or difficult guests

Definition: You collaborate with a service provider who helps or guides you, but you still manage core responsibilities.
Ideal For: Owners who want support and guidance but still want to stay involved.
Typical Support Includes:
- Coaching or consulting
- Help setting up listings, branding, and automation tools
- Access to vetted service providers (cleaners, maintenance)
Pros:
- Learn the business with expert support
- Better efficiency and fewer mistakes
Cons:
- Still time-intensive
- Requires some operational involvement

Definition: A full-service property management company handles all aspects of the rental.
Ideal For: Passive investors or owners who don’t want to deal with day-to-day operations.
What's Handled:
- End-to-end property management
- Marketing and dynamic pricing
- Guest vetting and communication
- Housekeeping, maintenance, restocking
Pros:
- Completely hands-off
- Professional management may increase occupancy and revenue
Cons:
- Management fees (typically 20–40%)
- Less control over how your property is run

Feature	Do It Yourself	Done With You	Done For You
Description	You handle everything	Collaborative support with guidance	Fully managed by professionals
Involvement	Full	Moderate	Minimal
Ideal For	Hands-on owners	Owners seeking support and learning	Passive investors
Cost	Lowest (no fees)	Moderate (consulting or setup fees)	Highest (20–40% management fee)
Revenue Potential	Highest (but time-consuming)	High (with better efficiency)	Medium to High (minus fees)
Learning Opportunity	High	Very High	Low
Control Over Property	Full	Shared	Low
Common Tools	Domits, Airbnb, Vrbo, manual or self-built systems	Templates, coaching, automation tools	Pro management software, concierge services
Pros	Max profit, full control	Guidance + learning, less stress	Hands-off, expert optimization
Cons	Time and stress intensive	Still requires effort and involvement	Less control, lower margins due to fees