I'm looking for a budget number to connect to city water & sewer, and gas for a new build in Minneapolis, a vacant lot that has not had utilities before. 

My tenants mopped up the water as soon as they realized but some time had gone by before they had even realized since it happened middle of the night.

There is Quest water lines in the building.  

For instance, the basement was leaking water from one wall and the seller had to put up gutters with downspouts leading far enough away from the house.

We have a system set up to receive calls its not automated yet but, we have to start somewhere.

I only found this out when the water was cut off by the city for non-payment and the other tenant complained about not having water.

For us it seems daunting and feels like we need to take the plunge and surf the waters.

Create a well oiled system every month to monitor the above things and you will be just fine.

And I'm guessing that it's probably their lack of proactive communication and response that had you look elsewhere.The issue that muddies the water is that he is your manager and the one who is supposed to be the point of contact with your tenants. 

That's exactly what I want - to build a business and systems in which other people take care of the small stuff and I focus on the bigger picture.