Hiring a maintenance person for a 30 unit

[Jon-Michael Veronesi]

Long time listener/reader, first time poster. Little back story- I own a 30 unit complex. It’s been in the family for 3 generations and I’ve worked/ managed it for about 15 years. We’ve always handled most problems “in house” aside from complex plumbing and electric. Since I’ve taken over, I’ve started to outsource the things I absolutely hate doing (snow removal, trimming hedges, etc.) and found it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. Next on my list would be those annoying and tIme consumIng house calls for leaky faucets and other water leaks. The buildings were built in the 1950’s so everything that hasn’t been replaced is pretty old. I’d like to hire a maintenance person to tend to these problems but I wasn’t sure what would be fair as far as pay? Was thinking maybe $1000/ month base pay and a little extra for time/per job? If it worked out well, he could take on more work and I would feel more comfortable buying more units. Any input is appreciated!

[Jill F.]

We own 33 units total and we have a handy man living in our one SFR; he does 12 hours per week for free rent. WE also have a regular plumbing company and a regular HVAC guy. But handy man saves us a ton of money AND time by doing triage and fixing the small things on the spot. He also mows and does snow removal at the properties by his house. He can do all the routine stuff...set a toilet, change out a faucet, install an interior door, re-rope old windows, install new locks (deadbolts, screen door handles, etc), install a light fixture, balance a fan, re light pilot lights, reset gfi switches, put a garage door back on the tracks, fix a broken drawer glide or replace a cabinet hinge, repair a drywall hole, unfreeze a garbage disposal, install a new garbage disposal,replace a broken floor tile...just lots and lots of random stuff.