Choosing a contractor is always a tricky proposition regardless of the circumstances. Just know that the circumstances do play a part in which contractor is best. You might need a contractor for a relatively small job that almost anyone can do. Or you might require a contractor with special skills for a specialized type of job. There is also the matter of who the end-user will be. If you are having a job done for yourself, you might choose a different contractor than if you are employing a contractor to do work for other people.
If you are managing a rental property, maintenance is typically your responsibility, at least for the big jobs. If you supply appliances, you are the one on the hook to make repairs when those appliances are on the fritz. You can save a lot of money by doing all of the repairs yourself. But that assumes that you have both the skills and the time to do all that additional labor. That is usually not the case for most landlords. As a landlord, you have to have a contractor partner, and usually more than one. Here are a few things to consider before you make the call.
How Well Do They Resolve Issues?
All contractors are going to run into a few issues. It is a hard job and not every customer is going to be satisfied with the work. It is unreasonable to expect otherwise. The question is how well does the contractor do at responding to complaints, resolving those complaints, and learning from those complaints. If they don’t do these things well, you should keep looking until you find a contractor who ticks all of these boxes.
The way Networx reviews are handled is a good example of what you are looking for. The company makes it a point to follow up quickly when there is a complaint or negative review. They are committed to rectifying the issue to the customer’s satisfaction. And they take the additional step of making the experience a part of the process of their continued improvement. This is the way all good lead generation services will operate. It is also what sets them apart from the budget offerings.
As a landlord, you will want to operate in the same way. You recognize that positive reviews matter. And negative reviews matter even more. According to experts, it takes 40 positive reviews to undo the effects of a single negative review. If you are using a service to find the right contractor, read the reviews. And also note how well they address the issues brought up in the bad reviews. That will make all the difference.
Choose a Contractor That Does Inspections
One of the tips for new landlords when renting out property is to do regular inspections of the property. You might not know what to look for, or be able to recognize leading indicators of serious problems. But a contractor will be able to fill that role
You will have to negotiate a price for quick, walkthrough inspections that don’t terminate in a repair. But it is well worth the money in the long run. Regular inspections can surface problems and let you know when it is time to either refurbish or replace items. You will need to find a contractor willing to fill that role for you so that you don’t have to look for a new contractor every time an inspection is needed. Also, be sure to make it clear in the rental agreement that regular, mandatory inspections will be taking place.
Small Jobs
As a landlord, there are a lot of small jobs that need to be done that you don’t necessarily want the tenants doing. A loose knob on a door is a good example of a small job that is harder than it looks. You need a contractor that can do small jobs as well as big ones. For optional service, you might even have a handy person on call who is willing to offer a discounted rate to your tenants. Ceiling fans don’t just put themselves up.
If you choose a bad contractor for yourself, you will just call another contractor to do the job right. If you choose a bad one for your rental property, your tenants will leave. Choose wisely and utilize contractors who handle their negative reviews, who are willing to do inspections, and who can deal with small jobs.
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