Working with your local realestate property manager.

[Lukacs Property Maintenance]

Hey Steve, I don't know if aproaching your local property manager at the real estate office has been sugested to anyone. The property manager is the person who is in cherge of all the rental propertys, like apartments and townhouses. I got work from here because the previous lco was doing a bad job and i pointed it out. So they asked if i wanted to the job. I said that i was only a one person crew so please could they ease my into the jobs. They said that wouldn't be a problem because they didn't want to give too many jobs at once. I have been working with them ever since.Being honest with people really shows your respect for them. In turn you usually get it back. Mike

[Steve]

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Oh that is very interesting! Can you tell us how you first went about finding who to get in touch with? Also how did you go about approaching them? Any advice on that?

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[Lukacs Property Maintenance]

Good question.

When i first moved to Merritt i needed a place to live. I was looking in the local newspaper and saw an add for places for rent by one realestate company. I phoned and talked to the property manager. I didn't end up getting a place from them but it aventually got out to them that i ran a lcb. Further on down the road however, i adventually ended up renting from the property manager. I told her that the lcc that she had did a bad job. So she thought she would give me a try. I've been doing work for them ever since.



Mike

[c4trash]

Originally Posted by Lukacs Property Maintenance

Good question.

When i first moved to Merritt i needed a place to live. I was looking in the local newspaper and saw an add for places for rent by one realestate company. I phoned and talked to the property manager. I didn't end up getting a place from them but it aventually got out to them that i ran a lcb. Further on down the road however, i adventually ended up renting from the property manager. I told her that the lcc that she had did a bad job. So she thought she would give me a try. I've been doing work for them ever since.



Mike

Hi Mike
I am in a similar business to you (See my discussion in Introduce Yourself)
I do a similar thing to you but want I dont believe in doing is bad mouthing others it can get up someones nose especially if the contractor in question is related to the Property Manager giving out the work
In these days of modern technology what I do use my cellphone and take some pics of the property
Also because the property is for rent I may also have a quick look around including in windows and out buildings and do a mental quote on the job
This gives you an advantage when you do go to the Agent you can give them a rough estimate of the price
If I get the job having already taken pictures in advance I also take pics when finished that way once you have a good relationship with your property managers you can show them the pics to verify completion when you give them the invoice
What makes this good is you dont have to wait for them to do a physical inspection
Another policy I have is while out I note down addresses of propertys which maybe up for rental by agents within the same company and if they look in need of a make over ask my contact to refer me to that agent
Its also a good move to keep a list of the various propertys you do that way you almost act as the agents spy so if you see the current tenant is neglecting their duties about keeping it tidy you can tip off the agent.
Its also a good idea to ask the agent when you have done the job if they or the new tenant is responsible for ongoing maintainence in which case there is another opportunity to pick up a new job
Finally dont be to fussy about what jobs you accept once you start working for an agent they may ask you to do little jobs ie remove some bags of rubbish when passing a place or cleaning up some real disgusting jobs
Just remember that if you wont do it someone else will
For the smaller jobs like rubbish bags etc I charge a standard fixed fee of $US 10

[Lukacs Property Maintenance]

Wow thats great stuff.

I've also kept pictures of propertys.

[Steve]

In these days of modern technology what I do use my cellphone and take some pics of the property
Also because the property is for rent I may also have a quick look around including in windows and out buildings and do a mental quote on the job
This gives you an advantage when you do go to the Agent you can give them a rough estimate of the price

You got me thinking, could you take pictures of a property and then email them to the realtor and say something in the email to the effect of they could sell the property a lot faster if it was kept up. Then maybe give them a price to clean it up in the email or tell them to call you for an estimate?

What's your thoughts on something like that?

Good stuff here!

Just a note for those of you that dont do work for rental agent's, i have several, keep in mind that they usally need it done the same day they call, most of the time it is because they are going to show the property, and this can throw a wrench in your schedule alot of the times, and you usally maintain the property when empty, ( it does lead to a new client for you from the renter alot of the time if you follow up with them) this type off work adds up though, it accounted for an average of about $500 to $700 additional income per month last season for me. This year estimates much higher. They pay like clock work most of the time. Hope this helps

[c4trash]

Originally Posted by Steve

You got me thinking, could you take pictures of a property and then email them to the realtor and say something in the email to the effect of they could sell the property a lot faster if it was kept up. Then maybe give them a price to clean it up in the email or tell them to call you for an estimate?

What's your thoughts on something like that?

Personally I wouldn't make such a comment in an email I would prefer to use the opportunity to get an interview
Remember not all the jobs are places being sold some are for rent or lease

You don't want an agent thinking you are being critical that may put them off you
Its like a comment I made elsewhere that you don't bad mouth another contractor even if they have done a poor job

[Steve]

Just a note for those of you that dont do work for rental agent's, i have several, keep in mind that they usally need it done the same day they call, most of the time it is because they are going to show the property,

Do you advise charging more if they want work done on the same day? If so, how much more?

Personally I wouldn't make such a comment in an email I would prefer to use the opportunity to get an interview
Remember not all the jobs are places being sold some are for rent or lease

You don't want an agent thinking you are being critical that may put them off you
Its like a comment I made elsewhere that you don't bad mouth another contractor even if they have done a poor job

Ok thank you. Very good point.

This gives you an advantage when you do go to the Agent you can give them a rough estimate of the price

When you meet with the agent, do you suggest that you show the pictures then? Should you point out what services they need? Or is the picture mainly for you to get an idea of what you need to do when creating a bid?

Originally Posted by Steve

Do you advise charging more if they want work done on the same day? If so, how much more?

No, I dont. One of the reasons they stick with you is not the price, its not the top priority for the agent, the owner pays for it, it is response time, they get paid when it is rented or sold, so if they have some one to see the property they need you to get it looking its best asap for them, this is why they use you, your quick response time. when you give your price it is a little higher then the standard residential cust to make it worth the inconvinance in sceduleing