Published by Funkit Interiors, a competing short-term rental design firm. We've kept this guide factual and linked every claim to a public source.
You're about to hand a company $15,000 or more and the keys to a house you can't visit. Before you sign with Bee Setups, know exactly what the fee covers and what other owners have reported.
Short answer: Bee Setups is a San Antonio-based turnkey Airbnb setup service that charges a package fee of $995 to $6,500 plus furniture, with a $15,000 project minimum and a 3 to 6+ week timeline, per its pricing page as of October 2026. Independent reviews are few and mostly negative: Trustpilot shows 3.0 from 7 reviews.
Key takeaways:
- Four packages: Standard $995, Essentials $2,500, Premium $4,500 and Luxury $6,500, each plus the cost of furniture.
- Every project carries a $15,000 minimum including furniture and decor, and financing is offered through a lender.
- The company's own site shows 4.9 from 278 reviews; independent platforms we checked show far fewer reviews and mostly complaints.
- The question we hear most from owners is whether a budget is all-in or furniture only. Get that answer in writing from any vendor.
- If you're remote, the real job is receiving and installing 200 to 400 items.
What is Bee Setups, and who is behind it?
Bee Setups is a turnkey furnishing company for short-term rentals: it designs the space, buys the furniture and essentials, delivers, assembles and stages them. Its homepage (2026) bills it as an "AirBnB Setup Service."
The company operates from San Antonio, Texas, according to its terms of service and LinkedIn page. We could not find founders or leadership named on its website, LinkedIn or press releases.
A turnkey Airbnb setup is different from virtual design. With virtual design you get a plan and execute it yourself; with turnkey, the vendor executes too. One name note: searches for "bee setups" also return beekeeping and video-game hive builds, which are unrelated.
Services, packages and process
Bee Setups runs a four-step process: sign and pay the setup fee, an on-site visit for photos and measurements, design (floor plans, design boards, a purchasing list), then delivery and go-live. You approve and pay for the furniture proposal separately, after the setup fee.
Package scope, per the homepage and pricing page as of October 2026:
- Standard: studios and one-bedroom apartments, 2 design revisions.
- Essentials: one- to three-bedroom rentals, interior only, no amenities or wall treatments, 3 revisions.
- Premium: interior, exterior, amenities and wall treatments, listing-ready staging for photos, a lead designer, 4 revisions. Labeled "most popular."
- Luxury: properties renting at $500+ a night, murals and custom amenities, a senior designer, 5 revisions.
How much does a setup cost? Pricing as of October 2026
Bee Setups pricing has two parts: a package fee of $995, $2,500, $4,500 or $6,500, plus your furniture and essentials budget. The pricing page states a $15,000 project minimum, furniture and decor included.
The same page lists typical totals by size: $15,000 to $20,000+ for a studio or one-bedroom, $20,000 to $30,000+ for two to three bedrooms, $30,000 to $45,000+ for four to five, and $45,000 to $60,000+ for large homes. Financing is offered, with approvals quoted at 24 to 48 hours.
The homepage FAQ lists lower ranges, starting at $12,000 for a one-bedroom, which sits below the stated minimum. Ask for one written, all-in quote before you pay the setup fee.
Portfolio and markets
Bee Setups says it serves investors nationwide, and its homepage shows three projects with budgets: a five-bedroom in Dallas ($48,000), a four-bedroom in Mesa, Arizona ($37,500) and a three-bedroom in Sevierville, Tennessee ($34,500).
The homepage also displays logos for Airbnb, Vacasa, Evolve and Awning under "Some of our Clients," and a company blog post claims over 3,000 properties. We could not independently verify either claim.
What do public reviews say?
Bee Setups reviews split sharply by where you read them. The company's reviews page shows 4.9 from 278 reviews without naming the platform, plus video testimonials, and press releases (2026) repeat positive client accounts.
As of November 7, 2026, the Trustpilot profile shows a TrustScore of 3.0 from 7 reviews: five complaints posted between May and October 2026, and two positive reviews posted in November 2026 after the company added its own description to the profile. The complaints describe unfinished projects, missing or damaged deliveries and slow communication, and two come from workers, an installer and a recruiter, who say they weren't paid.
An Airbnb Community Center thread (2025) from a remote host asking about Bee Setups drew 37 replies, and the visible ones raise similar issues. We could not load a BBB profile and found no Houzz or Yelp listing.
You may also see a "Bee Setups STR Furnishing Benchmark Report" quoted on other blogs. We could not find that report on beesetups.com, so we don't cite it.
Why does your choice of setup company matter?
With a turnkey vendor, you pay for execution you can't see. Your money leaves before anything arrives, and you're often states away.
That's why receiving and installation risk matter more than style. A missed delivery or a damaged sofa pushes back your launch date, and a delayed launch is the cost owners feel first.
Who is it best for, and who should look elsewhere?
Bee Setups fits an owner who wants one vendor to handle everything, prefers a published package price, and has a total budget of at least $15,000.
Look elsewhere if:
- Your budget is below the $15,000 minimum.
- You want a design-only plan to execute with your own local crew.
- The current independent review record gives you pause.
When does an Airbnb setup service make sense?
An Airbnb setup service makes sense when nobody you trust can be on site for weeks. The typical trigger is closing on a property in another state with a launch date already in mind.
If you live nearby or have a reliable handyman, a design plan plus your own crew is often enough. Our sibling guide on how to furnish a vacation rental covers that path.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Package fees and typical totals are published before you book a call.
- One vendor for design, sourcing, delivery and assembly.
- Financing option and a stated 3 to 6+ week timeline.
Cons:
- $15,000 minimum, and two pages of the site list different typical totals.
- Independent reviews are few and mostly negative, against strong self-published ratings.
- No named leadership on the website.
Bee Setups vs Funkit: how do they compare?
Both firms design short-term rentals but differ in delivery model. This comparison uses each company's own public information.
Bee Setups: turnkey only, four packages from $995 to $6,500 plus furniture, $15,000 minimum, 3 to 6+ weeks, on-site visit, financing offered.
Funkit: two service paths. Virtual design takes three to four weeks and gives you the plan and shopping list; white-glove design and installation takes four to eight weeks to guest-ready. Funkit works in all 50 states, virtual clients get 30 days of support, and every client gets free listing setup and optimization.
Funkit's portfolio includes Soco Paradise, The Pink Pickle and The Cowboy Club. If you're weighing hands-on versus hiring, our post on the hidden cost of designing your Airbnb yourself breaks down the trade-off.
How to vet any turnkey setup company before you pay
Hold every vendor, including us, to the same checks before money moves:
- Get an all-in number. Confirm in writing whether the quote covers furniture, essentials, delivery, assembly, taxes and amenities.
- Ask who receives deliveries. Name the person, the storage plan and what happens if a box arrives damaged.
- Tie payments to milestones. Avoid paying the full furniture budget before items are ordered and tracked.
- Read independent reviews. Check Trustpilot, the Airbnb Community and Google, not only testimonials on the vendor's site.
- Get the schedule in the contract. Ask what happens if the launch date slips.
What we see in Funkit projects: The budget question we hear most is whether a number is all-in or furniture only, and it causes more friction than any style choice. A full project usually means 200 to 400 items to order and receive, so for remote owners the receiving plan decides the launch date.
What are the alternatives to Bee Setups?
Alternatives fall into three groups: other turnkey furnishing firms, STR design studios that offer virtual or full-service options, and a local designer plus your own crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Bee Setups cost?
Bee Setups pricing starts with a package fee of $995, $2,500, $4,500 or $6,500, plus furniture, as of October 2026. Its pricing page lists a $15,000 project minimum and typical totals from $15,000 for a studio to $60,000+ for large homes. Ask for a written all-in quote before paying.
Are Bee Setups reviews good?
Mostly not on independent platforms. The company's own site shows 4.9 from 278 reviews, but its Trustpilot profile shows 3.0 from 7 reviews, five of them complaints describing delays and missing items. An Airbnb Community thread raises similar issues. Read independent platforms before you decide.
Is Bee Setups worth it?
Bee Setups can be worth it if you want a single vendor, published fees and financing, and your budget clears $15,000. Weigh that against the independent review record. Protect yourself with milestone payments, a written delivery plan and a contract schedule, whichever turnkey Airbnb setup company you hire.
Is Bee Setups a legitimate company?
Bee Setups operates a website, a LinkedIn page listing San Antonio headquarters, and published pricing. Independent reviews include serious complaints about unfinished work and unpaid workers, and its Trustpilot profile now carries a company-written description and contact details. Ask for recent client references you can call, and verify contract terms before paying anything.
