When you own property, there is always maintenance to be done. Whether
it is a burst pipe or a broken washer-dryer, there are all manner of
problems that can strike any vacation or estate property. If you do not
have the time or skill level to fix these problems, you will probably
need to hire a professional.
But repeated calls to specialized workers, such as plumbers or
electricians, will quickly devour your profit margin. If your property
is having continual problems, you may want to hire a full- or part-time
maintenance worker.
Whether you end up hiring a contractor or
outsourcing the maintenance position, there are several things to be
mindful of. Asking these 10 questions can help you find the most
qualified person for your maintenance position ahead of time, saving you
trouble and extra expense down the road.
1. Are they experienced? There is a
big difference between fixing a leaky faucet and caring for a property.
If you own a large estate, the complexity and frequency of problems may
be too much for the average handyperson. Before hiring anyone, make sure
that they are completely capable of handling the most demanding tasks
they may face.
2. What is their skill level? Can
the worker handle a variety of problems? Are they qualified to work as
an electrician, or do they have certain limitations?
3. Does their expertise match your problems?
If you have a building with chronic plumbing problems, hiring someone
who is more skilled at carpentry will not be very helpful. Try to find a
jack of all trades rather than a master of one.
4. Where do they live? If your
maintenance person does not live on site, how far away is their primary
residence? If you find someone who is absolutely perfect for the job but
lives too far away, you may want to consider providing them with housing
either within your property or nearby.
5. Will they be full- or part-time?
This will depend on the size of your property and the amount of problems
you anticipate. If you have a large estate, you may need to have a
full-time maintenance person on the job. However, if you have only one
small property, a part-time worker would be the economical choice.
6. What is their response time? This
is very important if your worker does not live on site. Some problems
just cannot wait until morning. For example, if you have a furnace go
out in the middle of a very cold night, you will need to have this fixed
as quickly as possible. If your maintenance person cannot get to your
property in a timely fashion, you may need to find someone whose
schedule will permit them to be on an on-call basis.
7. Can they provide references?
Request both employer and character references. Have each applicant
complete a written application so you can follow up on the references
that they provide.
8. Are they ethical? An unethical
maintenance worker can quickly drain your wallet and poison your
reputation with your tenants. Ask the applicant's former or current
employers about their work ethic and personality.
9. Can the applicant keep up with demand?
If you have several properties, or if your properties are spread
out over a wide area, one worker may not be enough. Take into account
how often you may need them, and how far your properties are from their
current location.
10. Are their rates reasonable? If
you have infrequent problems with your rental properties, the added
expense of hiring a maintenance worker may be more than you would pay
for one-time jobs. This is something you will need to weigh before
making your final decision.
If you are looking for a professional property management contractor
for your property, then please call us today at 631-433-1351 or
complete our online form.
