Managing property can be a stressful exercise at the best of times. Save your time and money… Here is some advice to ease the burden..
1. Don’t try to pinch pennies.
You can spend as much time as you want trying to get the best price, or multiple quotes from tradespeople, electricians, etc.. However, you’re probably going to need repeat tradesmen, e.g. annual gas or oil boiler maintenance and services, annual chimney sweep, etc… Save time by having a single go to person.
They may let you down. If so, change your plumber, or electrician. But building a relationship , even if you have to pay a small premium, is far better than having to constantly develop new relationships…
Build a relationship with your tradesperson.
2. Found a good one? keep ’em.
If you find a decent tradesperson that doesn’t let you down, keep them. Make life easy for them, so that they want to keep working with you, which leads to point 3…
3. Pay on time
Keep your tradesperson happy. Don’t have them continually chasing you for payment. They are busy people. If you don’t pay, or pay late, etc… next time around they won’t be as fast to come to your aid!!
4. Issue clear instructions
Allow your customer , or tenant, deal direct with the tradesperson. If you get involved, and you make a mistake, then it will prove to be more costly… Let someone else make the mistake.
If you copy and paste instructions from say, a property manager, to your tradesperson, then there can be no miscommunication, or loss in translation!
5. Know when to cut ties
If the tradesperson is not responding, or doing their job, or you feel they are overcharging, severe your ties, find a new tradesperson to build a relationship with!
6. Why I, don’t DIY it…
Pay out for an expert. You cannot be a plumber, electrician, plasterer, painter, etc. They have years of xp and so can do a job far better and faster than you. Yes you are paying for their service, but if you botch a job, you may end up having to pay for it anyway…