Since
opening as a lettings agent in 2006, one of the main problems we’ve had is with
the reliability of contractors. What you read in the newspapers is true – there
really IS a shortage of decent electricians, gas fitters, plumbers etc! If you
want a job done quickly, properly, and at a sensible price, it actually isn’t
that easy! Also, if you’re after a career change, becoming an electrician could
prove quite lucrative!
We spotted
this early on and realised it was going to cause us a problem as the business
grew – no point in having X hundred properties under management if you have no
way of fixing the (many) repairs that these properties generate. We took the
decision in late 2007 to partner with 1 main contractor, based on a clearly
defined service level agreement – good for them because they get nearly all our
work, good for us because we supply the majority of their work and as such can
demand more from them in terms of price and service.
3 years on
and this has proved a good decision. When a property needs a new bathroom, we
can usually arrange installation without delay and the job is completed in 3-4
days. Kitchens can be done in about the same. When a property needs painting
and carpeting, this can start the day a tenant leaves and is done within a
week. We market test quarterly, and pretty much always find the job can’t be
done as quickly, or for the same price. Because we work constantly with the
same contractor, everything is done on a fixed price basis, so landlords know
there won’t be any hidden extras and can budget correctly. If there’s a
problem, because of the amount of work we give to them, the contractor sorts it
out without any fuss.
The range of
work varies from repairing a leak, to the refurbishment of a whole property –
landlords who buy cheap repossessed properties use us to refurbish the whole
house at a fixed price. The service is available anywhere within a 30 mile
radius of Northampton
If you know
someone who has a rental property that needs work, we can help – give them our
details or give us theirs!
Richard.
