converting a barn to offer accommodation

searcher30

we are currently converting a barn in france to offer accommodation to the walkers of st jacques as we are on the pilgrim's trail to spain here. we have a lot of friends who plan to come over and visit from the uk and other places but the difficulty is we dont like being mean but we also cannot afford not to rent out. how do people deal with friends in this matter. thanks in advance

Savvy_Sue

I'd be upfront and say that you're doing this on a business basis, and your rate for friends is £X per week / night. If you want to, you can offer a discount, but the wording I've suggested means that they might think you're offering a discount when in fact you're not.

If ever you invite friends or family to stay with you personally and don't WANT to charge them, then again, tell them upfront they are coming as your guests and you're not charging them.

If you don't want to be so blunt (although I would understand this approach perfectly!) then doing a simple brochure with your rates on and sending it to all your friends should have a similar effect.

5limJim

I'd agree with Savvy_Sue, explain to your friends that its a new business and that you'd love to have them over but it would mean turning away paying customers and that in the early stages you cant afford to turn away new clientele as you have to get your reputation up and running. Am sure your friends would offer to pay the going rate, or a 'discounted' one... Offer them a discounted rate if you could use their images in pictures for any literature you may be planning to produce as well.... Marketing, Income, and the company of friends all in one go...

Good luck!

5limJim

searcher30

Thank you for your advice!!

Savvy_Sue

I think 5limJim has really given the best advice: saying you can't turn away paying customers gets the message across that it's a business, and gives the impression you're really busy, which in turn encourages them to book early! And using their piccies in your publicity is a really good idea!

jobbingmusician

Another possibility, if you have 'handy' friends (and they would have to be friends! ) - can they come over for a free 'holiday' and help you with the conversion? :beer:

searcher30

thanks slim jim and savvy sue! nice to get some good advice. thanks!
Thanks jobbingmusician too !!

Savvy_Sue

jobbingmusician wrote:

Another possibility, if you have 'handy' friends (and they would have to be friends! ) - can they come over for a free 'holiday' and help you with the conversion? :beer:

Ah yes, I remember visiting relatives who were doing a long-term conversion. We just popped in for lunch as we were nearby, and they were nowhere near in business, and my FIL made himself VERY popular by showing them how to do something they'd been struggling with for ages, and DH and BIL spent the afternoon astride rafters helping to floor a loft!

I spent a rather more pleasant afternoon in the shade, chatting to my aunt and watching the kids play! :rotfl:

IF you go down this route, make sure your friends take out insurance over and above bringing their E112s with them ... just in case!

5limJim

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Ah yes, I remember visiting relatives who were doing a long-term conversion. We just popped in for lunch as we were nearby, and they were nowhere near in business, and my FIL made himself VERY popular by showing them how to do something they'd been struggling with for ages, and DH and BIL spent the afternoon astride rafters helping to floor a loft!

I spent a rather more pleasant afternoon in the shade, chatting to my aunt and watching the kids play! :rotfl:

IF you go down this route, make sure your friends take out insurance over and above bringing their E112s with them ... just in case!

Agreed, and if I were you make sure you take the odd bottle of wine so you can sit back and watch them slog their guts out.... just try to have a couple of beers for the workers as well of course