Finding qualified, experienced, and licensed property maintenance contractors is an important job for the trustees of sectional title schemes. Property maintenance contractors should never be appointed on price alone – or in haste. It is important for the trustees to check that property maintenance contractors are properly qualified, properly insured and have a verifiable track record of completed projects similar in size and scope to the one being contemplated.
It is impossible for a property to remain in good shape on its own. A reputable property maintenance company is money in the bank for landlords with a long-term business strategy. And if 75 percent of property management involves upkeep, this is a critical area for you to improve.
Choosing the Right Contractor for Your Property
Who are property maintenance contractors? They’re professionals in plumbing, heating and HVAC, electric, landscaping, paving, security, janitorial, carpentry, remodelling (general contractors), painting, roofing, parking lot maintenance and more.
Once you have compiled a list of property maintenance contractors you need, now it’s time to hire. But, like anything else, it’s a process. Finding the appropriate contractors for a job is important for your property as well as your finances. Follow the criteria and actions outlined below to make your search easier.
Provide a clear outline of your project needs.
You are the ideal person to ask for thorough and accurate quotes from potential property maintenance contractors. Give them a clear description of your requirements. This will enable the property maintenance contractor to provide more than just a cost estimate. However, the timeline in which the job may be done is equally important.
Obtain several estimates for large jobs.
Large jobs can be costly, and property maintenance contractors’ prices can vary greatly. Getting at least three estimates from various providers is a reasonable rule of thumb. This accomplishes two goals: it gives you more choices while also motivating property maintenance contractors to compete for your business.
Research previous jobs and references.
A good property maintenance contractor will be able to provide references from previous satisfied customers. Consider looking into this, as well as online reviews and corporate biographies. These can provide insight into how the property maintenance contractor conducts business and the quality of their job.
Verify credentials and insurance coverage.
Licensed, bonded, and insured – three words could not be more critical when finding a property maintenance contractor. Choose a well-established property maintenance company that can produce documentation of licenses and insurance swiftly.
Beware of red flags.
There are a few things to look out for while interviewing potential providers. Stay away from any of these things if you come across them! Warning signs include:
- Unlisted contractors.
- Demanding upfront payment.
- Cash-only transactions.
- Asking you to obtain the needed permits.
Follow a process for selecting a good property maintenance contractor, and they’ll become a key asset in your sustainable business model. The key to success as a rental property owner or manager is to cultivate long-term relationships with reliable contractors.
Property management companies such as Fitzanne Estates will often contract out maintenance and repairs to a specialized property maintenance company. Basically, we’ve gotten to know our chosen service providers and can vouch for their quality of work and honesty. One of the most significant advantages of booking one of our suggested service providers is that we have negotiation power. We are able to negotiate any payment conditions because of our ongoing engagement with our suppliers.
Find out more about our Property Management Services.
Read more:
How to increase property value with property maintenance services
Media contact: Cathlen Fourie, +27 82 222 9198, marketing@fitzanne.co.za https://www.fitzanne.co.za/
More about Fitzanne Estates
Fitzanne Estates (Pty) Ltd is a Property Management Company who can sufficiently administer your property investment to the benefit of the Landlord, the Body Corporate and the NPC – Non-Profit Company. Services include Letting, Sectional Title Management, Full Title Management (NPC – Non-Profit Company) and Sales.
Website: https://www.fitzanne.co.za/
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