How Much Does It Cost to Prepare an Apartment for Airbnb in Durrës?
The honest range: €400 on the low end if the apartment is already well-furnished, €900 in the middle, up to €1,800 if you're starting from an empty shell and need basic furniture too. Below is the itemised version for a typical 2-bed apartment that already has the basics — kitchen appliances, beds, a sofa — and just needs the Airbnb-readiness layer on top.
The non-negotiables
If any of these are missing, the apartment isn't ready to take guests.
| Item | Cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress protectors (waterproof) × 2 | €30–€50 | Cotton-top with waterproof backing. Non-negotiable. |
| Pillow protectors × 4–6 | €15–€25 | Cheap insurance against the inevitable. |
| Two full sets of bedding (sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases) | €80–€140 | White only. Stains show; that's the point — they get replaced when they need to be. |
| Towels (8 bath, 6 hand, 4 face) | €60–€110 | White, 450gsm or higher. Cheap towels look cheap on day 30. |
| Smart lock (or keyless solution) | €80–€140 | Yale, Igloohome, or Aqara. Installation €20–€40. |
| Spare key set (3 sets, hidden lockbox) | €10–€15 | Even with a smart lock, you need a backup. |
| Subtotal | €275–€480 |
The strongly recommended
These improve reviews enough that the spend pays back in extra bookings within 60–90 days of peak season.
| Item | Cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout curtains in master bedroom | €40–€80 | Coastal apartments get bright early-morning sun. Without blackout = bad reviews in summer. |
| Decent shower head | €20–€40 | Many older Durrës apartments have low-pressure showers. A €30 high-pressure head changes the whole shower experience. |
| Kettle | €15–€25 | Stainless steel, not plastic — looks better in photos and lasts longer. |
| Toaster (2-slot) | €15–€25 | Italian, German, and British guests use them; locals less so. |
| Decent kitchen knife (one good one beats six bad ones) | €15–€30 | Avoid the cheap knife block sets. |
| Cutting board × 2 (one veg, one meat) | €15–€20 | |
| Hair dryer (1800W+) | €20–€40 | Cheap hair dryers are a 1-star complaint hot spot. |
| Iron and ironing board | €25–€40 | Required by many platforms; expected by business travellers. |
| House manual (printed + laminated, two languages) | €15–€25 | Doubles as a quick-reference for cleaners and guests. |
| Welcome basket (first stay only — biscuits, water, fruit, local card) | €8–€15 | Outsized impact on first-impression reviews. |
| Subtotal | €188–€340 |
The listing itself
| Item | Cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional photography (interior + exterior + balcony) | €100–€200 | One-time spend, lasts 2–3 years unless you refurbish significantly. |
| Listing description (written, multilingual — 3 languages) | €50–€120 | Native or near-native quality only. Bad translation is worse than no translation. |
| Channel manager monthly subscription (if self-managing) | €15–€30/month | Smoobu, Hostaway, or similar. If using JHA management, this is on us. |
| Dynamic pricing software (if self-managing) | €15–€25/month | PriceLabs, Wheelhouse. Same — on us if you're with JHA. |
If you're using a management company, the one-time costs (photography, translation, listing setup) should be included in their fee. If they're charging you separately for these, factor it into the effective management percentage you're paying.
Optional but high-ROI in Durrës specifically
| Item | Cost (EUR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two outdoor loungers + small table | €80–€180 | If you have a balcony with any sea view, this transforms the listing photos and the actual stay. |
| Beach towels × 4 (different from bath towels) | €30–€50 | Otherwise guests use your bath towels at the beach; both ruined. |
| Beach umbrella + chairs (folded, in a corner) | €40–€80 | Bigger differentiator than it sounds — the next listing doesn't have these. |
| Bluetooth speaker (small, portable) | €25–€50 | Guests like; doesn't get stolen. |
| Coffee machine upgrade (Moka pot at minimum) | €20–€40 | Italian guests will judge you on the Moka pot quality. |
What you're NOT spending money on
Things sellers will try to sell you that don't move the needle on bookings or reviews:
- Smart-home automation kits (smart bulbs, voice assistants) — guests don't use them, they break, they confuse cleaners
- Designer cookware sets — a basic pan and pot are fine, and they get banged up anyway
- Premium mattresses — a mid-range firm mattress (€200–€400) gets the same reviews as a €1,000+ premium one
- Wall art — a few framed photos are nice but go cheap; replacement is cheap when something happens
- Themed decor — "Mediterranean style" sets that look great in store but read as Airbnb-template in photos
Total realistic budget
- Bare minimum to go live (well-furnished apartment, just adding the operational layer): €400–€520
- Recommended setup for a Durrës 2-bed: €700–€900
- Premium setup with outdoor furniture and high-ROI upgrades: €1,100–€1,400
- Empty apartment to fully-ready 2-bed (including furniture, appliances, professional photography, full inventory): €4,500–€7,500
For an apartment in our target performance band (€13,000–€16,000 gross per year), the €700–€900 setup pays back in roughly five weeks of peak-season operation.
What we do for new owners
When we take on an apartment we send a gap list within 48 hours of the initial walkthrough — what's missing, what's tired and should be replaced before guests arrive, and what's fine. Owners are free to buy items themselves (often the right call for international owners visiting Albania), or we can buy and install everything from our local supplier list and bill at cost. Most owners do a mix — they buy the linens and the smart lock during a personal trip, we handle the day-to-day consumables and the small kitchen items.
For the detailed cleaning checklist itself, see our Airbnb cleaning checklist for Albanian apartments.