When a construction or industrial company needs housing for 10-30 people during a project lasting 2-6 months, there are in practice four options: managed worker accommodation, hotels, Airbnb, or handling everything in-house. The differences in cost, administration and flexibility are significant. This article walks through what each option actually costs and when it makes sense.
The four options
The market for short and medium-term corporate housing looks roughly like this:
- Managed worker accommodation via StayOnSite - a contract directly with a company that takes care of housing, key management, cleaning and invoicing. From SEK 5,900 per person per month.
- Hotels - proven and easy to book, but expensive for longer periods. No kitchen and no shared spaces for teams.
- Airbnb - cheaper than hotels but not designed for companies. No corporate invoice, no guarantees against cancellation and large variations in standard.
- Self-management - finding housing via the Swedish classifieds site Blocket, signing private contracts, handling keys and landlord contacts. Requires time and administration.
Cost comparison per person per month
| Option | Cost per person/month | Corporate invoice | Dedicated contact person | Flexible contracts | Multilingual service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StayOnSite | From SEK 5,900 | Yes | Yes | Yes | SV, EN, PL |
| Hotel | SEK 15,000-30,000 | Yes | No | Partly | Varies |
| Airbnb | SEK 8,000-15,000 | No | No | No | No |
| Self-management | Varies | No | No | Yes | No |
The figures for hotels and Airbnb are based on average prices in Sweden outside the major cities during 2025-2026. In major cities and during peak season, hotel rates can be considerably higher. StayOnSite's prices typically include electricity, water, wifi and project invoicing; the exact scope is agreed per project.
Example calculation: 10 people for 3 months
Here is what the four options cost for a typical project - an installation team of 10 people working on site for 13 weeks.
| Option | Per person/month | 10 people x 3 months | Hidden time cost | Total estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StayOnSite | SEK 5,900 | SEK 177,000 | Minimal | approx. SEK 177,000 |
| Hotel (mid-range) | SEK 18,000 | SEK 540,000 | Minimal | approx. SEK 540,000 |
| Airbnb | SEK 10,000 | SEK 300,000 | High (bookings, receipts, VAT) | approx. SEK 320,000+ |
| Self-management | SEK 8,000 | SEK 240,000 | Very high (searching, contracts, key management) | approx. SEK 290,000+ |
Hotels are by far the most expensive option. For 3 months and 10 people, the cost difference compared with managed worker accommodation can amount to SEK 330,000 or more. That is money that directly affects the project budget.
Airbnb looks cheaper but lacks a corporate invoice. This means booking costs cannot easily be deducted as business expenses, and VAT reporting becomes complicated. In addition, hosts can cancel at short notice, creating uncertainty in the middle of an ongoing project.
Option 1: StayOnSite
StayOnSite manages the practical side, from key handover to cleaning and maintenance requests. The invoice is issued to the company and can be tagged with a project reference, which simplifies project accounting. A dedicated contact person answers questions and solves problems - including for Polish or English-speaking workers.
Advantages
- Lowest cost among the managed options - from SEK 5,900 per person per month
- Corporate invoice with project reference included
- Dedicated contact person - we always get back to you within one business day, often within hours
- Flexible contract periods adapted to the project timeline
- Service in Swedish, English and Polish
- Electricity, water and wifi typically included
- Kitchen and shared spaces - better for teams than a hotel
Disadvantages
- Not available in every town - primarily covers cities with high demand from industry and construction
- Requires some lead time - ideally book 2-4 weeks in advance
StayOnSite is active in, among other places, Luleå, Boden, Oskarshamn, Skellefteå and Säffle.
Option 2: Hotels
Hotels are the easiest option to book and have a clear advantage for shorter assignments of 2-3 weeks. But for projects stretching over one or several months, costs quickly rise to levels that affect profitability. An average hotel night outside the major cities costs SEK 700-1,000. Over 30 nights, that comes to SEK 21,000-30,000 per person per month.
Advantages
- Easy to book at short notice
- Corporate invoice usually available without issues
- Cleaning included
- Breakfast sometimes included
Disadvantages
- Clearly the most expensive option for longer periods
- No kitchen - daily food costs come on top
- Separate rooms isolate the team and hinder collaboration
- No dedicated contact person for problems during the stay
- Hard to book 10+ rooms at the same hotel for an extended period
Hotels work best when the project is shorter than three weeks and lead time is short. For month-long assignments, they are rarely a competitive option.
Option 3: Airbnb
The Airbnb price looks tempting compared with hotels. But the platform is built for private travel and lacks basic features that companies need: no Swedish corporate invoice, no VAT specification, no dedicated contact and no guarantees that the host will not cancel. Managing 5-10 separate Airbnb bookings for a team also consumes considerable hours of the project manager's time.
Advantages
- Lower price per person compared with hotels
- Apartments and houses often have kitchens
- Possible to find housing with room for the whole team
Disadvantages
- No corporate invoice - complicates accounting
- Hosts can cancel at short notice
- No contact person - you handle every problem directly with the host
- Large variation in standard and equipment
- Not designed for long rental periods
- VAT problems with expenses lacking proper receipts
Option 4: Self-management
Self-management means the project manager or finance officer searches for housing via Blocket or local contacts, negotiates rent, signs private contracts and maintains ongoing contact with landlords throughout the project. The rent level can be lower than the options above - but the time invested is real and costly.
A project manager who spends 20-30 hours arranging housing for a team costs the company SEK 15,000-25,000 in internal cost, depending on salary. It does not show up in the housing cost, but it is a real expense.
Advantages
- Potentially lower rent through direct contact with the landlord
- Full control over the choice of housing and standard
- No intermediaries
Disadvantages
- High time cost for searching, contracts and administration
- Private contracts often lack a corporate invoice
- No guarantees if the landlord pulls out
- Hard to find housing for the whole team in one town without a network
- The project manager carries full responsibility for any problems that arise
Self-management can work if the company already has established contacts in the town and recurring projects there. For one-off projects in a new city, it is rarely worth the time it requires.
Which option fits which situation?
| Situation | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Project of 1-3 weeks, booked last minute | Hotel |
| Project of 1-6 months, 5+ people | StayOnSite |
| Single person, 2-4 weeks | Airbnb or hotel |
| Recurring projects in the same town with your own network | Self-management |
| International team with Polish or English speakers | StayOnSite |
| The project requires clear project invoicing | StayOnSite |
What is actually included in the price?
An important point when comparing options is understanding what is included. StayOnSite's price typically includes electricity, water, wifi and management — the exact scope is agreed per project. A hotel's base price includes cleaning but not food. The Airbnb price may look low but does not include cleaning during the stay, and service fees are added. Self-management includes nothing beyond the housing itself - electricity and wifi may be charged separately.
If you factor in food costs, the picture becomes even clearer. A team staying at a hotel without a kitchen spends SEK 100-200 per person per day on restaurants or fast food. Over 30 days and 10 people, that is an extra SEK 30,000-60,000 - on top of the hotel bill. In worker accommodation with a kitchen, the team cooks its own meals and that cost disappears.
Frequently asked questions
Can we book StayOnSite at short notice?
StayOnSite recommends 2-4 weeks of lead time for the best availability. In some cities, shorter notice can work. Contact us directly to check availability in the city in question.
How does invoicing work for Airbnb in practice?
Airbnb issues a receipt but not an invoice with a VAT specification in the legal sense. This makes VAT deductions harder and can create problems in accounting and audits. For companies with rigorous financial processes, it is a clear drawback.
Can StayOnSite handle a mixed team of Swedish and foreign workers?
Yes. StayOnSite provides service and communication in Swedish, English and Polish. That is a concrete advantage when the team is international and the project manager does not have time to handle every question.
What happens if the project is extended?
With StayOnSite, the contract is adjusted for the extension without you having to rebook from scratch. With hotels or Airbnb, you risk the accommodation being booked by others, forcing the team to move in the middle of the project.
Conclusion
For most construction and industrial companies with projects of a month or longer, managed worker accommodation is the most economically sensible option. The cost difference compared with hotels is often SEK 200,000-350,000 per project for a 10-person team. Compared with Airbnb, you save administration and avoid accounting problems.
Self-management can work for those who already have established networks in the town - but for new locations, the time cost is rarely justifiable against what a managed option costs.
Want to know what worker accommodation costs for your specific project? Visit our corporate housing page and submit an inquiry. We always get back to you within one business day – often within hours.
Read more about the market in our complete guide to worker accommodation 2026 or the checklist for securing housing ahead of major infrastructure contracts.