PropertyManagementMaven: Reassessing Vendor Service List is USEFUL for Managers AND Homeowners!!

A few years ago, I had to find a new HVAC firm....my THEN firm started concentrating on new-construction installations and my spring/fall property maintenance g0tt behind.  I made a list of 3 area firms and found an EXCELLENT firm fromt the 3 I contacted.

Now, my long-time maintenance man has become non-responsive which is unusual.  I have been suffering with having to provide hand written-work orders for him and dealing with his having no computer, internet access or e-mail and spotty cel phone service.  His response time has become longer and longer to where I have started leaving him voice mail messages giving him a deadline to call me back or I will call someone else.

With the slow down in new construction NATIONWIDE, there are loads of trained, talented construction/repair people looking for work.

Luckily, a fellow property manager's brother who was a custom home builder in a former life has returned to the area to care for their elderly parents.  Working for us, he will have ready-made clients, loads of direction and assistance getting up and running on his computer.  I e-mailed him my first electronicl maintenance request last week and got a completed work order in 3 days.  When I e-mail a work order/tenant contact information to my plumber, I get a work order by return e-mail within 48 hours.  My appliance repair firm is a little less "connected as I still get hard-copy invoices in the mail.

So far, his prices are GREAT; he is considerate of my residents and works around their schedule; his hand written bills are easy to read AND he is working on being able to e-mail invoices.   He is responsive to our suggestions as to what WE need to manage our clients' properties and he's ready to be a part of our team.....HEY! T*E*A*M!!!