First-time owners of Vacation Rental properties (and even some veterans) are often shocked by how quickly furniture and fixtures can wear out, even in family-friendly atmospheres like Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach.  Some are quick to point to misuse or intentional damage as the cause, but the truth of the matter is usually much less dramatic.

We've seen just about everything in our almost-45-years in the business, and the single biggest cause of faster-than-normal wear and tear isn't partying teenagers, bikers or the Beverly Hillbillies... it's simply the environment in which your property is located.  Salt and sand are enemies of almost anything man has ever invented, and both are found in abundance at the beach.  Whether it's a wet head on a couch, sandy toes on carpet or salt spray on an air conditioner, these two items find their way into, onto and under nearly everything, and the results are infallibly surprising to those unfamilar with the area.

Because of this, our recommended replacement schedules for furniture and fixtures can also come as a surprise.  While these timeframes certainly include some "wiggle room," homeowners should definitely begin the evaluation process when these dates are reached.


Furniture:
Upholstered couches and chairs: 3-5 years, although recovering often accomplishes the same goal
Carpet: 5 years
Dining Chairs: this depends on whether or not they have cushions; if so, 3-5 years, if not, replace as necessary

Kitchen:
Appliances: Replace as needed, but expect no more than 10 years maximum
Kitchen Cabinets: 10-12 years
Laminate countertops: 5-7 years; granite, Corian and other materials may last significantly longer
Cookware: Good quality (Calphalon, etc.,) 5 years, otherwise as needed

Kitchen Inventory/Utensils: Annually as necessary

Bedrooms:
Bedspreads or comforters: 2 years
Mattress and Box Springs: 5-10 years maximum

Bathrooms:
Shower Liner: Annually or as needed.
Bathroom Fixtures: 10-15 years or as needed.

General:
Vinyl Flooring: 5 years.
Color Schemes: Review every 5 years
Paint: Touch-up as needed, complete re-painting every 3-5 years.
Soft Goods: 5 year maximum
Case Goods (furniture, etc.:) 7 year maximum

Following these guidelines will ultimately result in happier guests, higher incomes and fewer hassles: three things that certainly rate high on any vacation rental homeowner's list.