Say a tenant breaks something that they are on the hook to pay for.  In this example, let’s say their kid flushed some objects down the toilet that requires a plumber to fix.  As the tenant is expected to pay for the ...

Service charge looks to be the same as calling a repairman, but they would cover the cost of the repairs.

There are other times you need a plumber, electrician, appliance repairman, roofer, carpenter, family counsellor, tour guide, legal liaison, spare tire and jump start provider, the list goes on.  

I’m a foundation repairman in TX, and I never get worked up about cracks in ceilings. 

Sure, it cost me $100 for deductible and several trips and a pain in the butt repairman, but tenants got a new $750 fridge!

The time waiting to get someone out there instead of a full time onsite repairman can make a small problem become a huge problem.

Also since this is out of state property, the management did not tell me how much the repairman is going to cost.

I've also sold security systems door-to-door (applicable to selling leases) and been the repairman for another apartment complex.Sharon Hiebing, that's a great website, thanks for the tip.

I wanted some advice before I go call a repair man or try to replace the iron drain pipes worth PVC.

2) Have a maintenance budget3) for your case, allocate a standard % of the maintenance budget for the handyman but through the manager on a monthly basis (like a retainer).In this way, both parties can be flexible and disputes over repair costs are minimized by an stable monthly expenditure (on your part) and stable income (for the repairman's part)His particular skills naturally must be taken into account considering your needs,Hope this helped, I'm going through the same thing more or less - prob less :)