Hello,
This is a very similar situation that I’m in and I would like to tag along on this conversation. I have had difficulty filling the position with a good candidate. I have a “C” level building (low income in tough part of town) and have tried many options. I’m not clear yet on my next move, but I do know that paying a maintenance contract provider that charges $65 per hour around here doesn’t work. I routinely get the tenant call for a bad garbage disposal, plugged sink or toilet, stove burner that doesn’t work, window crank that’s stripped, even a light that’s not working (and it’s the light bulbs), change the locks, leak under the sink, etc., etc. I can go on and on. The problem is that most of the time I get these calls they are very often the 20-minute fix. The problem is to have a maintenance guy or company go over to address the item I get billed 2 hours for their round-trip travel and time on job. I’m not saying this isn’t fair, it might take them 2 hours before they are back, but economically this doesn’t work out on my end. For example, I can pay $90 for a garbage disposal and do it in 20 minutes. If I pay someone its 2hours labor and the $90 for the parts. I will typically get 4 or five of these calls a week and as you can see the maintenance expenses start to add up before we even throw in the make ready work and the capital items. When I talk to the Realtors about maintenance costs they say I should plan for $70 per door per month. I’m hear to tell you, no way in my experience. I wish you the best and would love to share ideas.
Ron
