Property Management Lease Placement Issues (CA)

[Scott McMillan]

I used a local California property management company to perform the lease signing and background checks on a tenant we found ourselves for my newly vacant SFH. I also used them to perform a few maintenance issues, which was paid out of the security deposit and 1st months rent they collected at the lease signing. For this I paid a $500 fee as I am an out of state landlord but manage the property myself month to month.

For the major project I had them handle, replacing worn out carpet with Vinyl (Wood Patterned) Flooring I was quoted in writing $2,100 "out the door."  On my settlement statement and a provided invoice from the contractor I was actually charged $2,325, $225 more than quoted.  They had held up my release of funds for over a week after signing while they waited for the invoice and then paid it and closed out my account the day they received it.  After I received all my paperwork in the mail I questioned why the amount was higher than the "out the door" price quoted.  The response I received was basically "We aren't sure why it was more, we used an independent contractor, ask them."  I responded back that that was an unacceptable response and I am expecting to receive the difference in a check and a new settlement statement.

All of my exchanges with the property management company are in email written form.  Am I in the wrong here?  Do I have any recourse if they refuse to issue me the difference or advocate to the contractor on my behalf?  I guess small claims court could be an option but hardly seems worth it considering I'm out of State and it only $225 we are dealing with here.

Thank you,

Scott