How Should Your Tradie Communicate with You & Your Tenants

Maintenance is a key part of any tenancy, so it’s crucial that correct communication is in place between your tradie, yourself and tenants. If not, it could seriously jeopardise relationships and give rise to unnecessary tension and even misunderstandings. Avoid such a scenario and follow our advice below.

How to Build A Good Relationship With your Tradie

Working with your tradie is always a two-way street, so your professionalism and courtesy is required as well to build a good relationship. Some things to consider for a good ongoing relationship are:

• Respect their time by planning for repairs when possible, instead of expecting a fast turnaround
• Pay a fair rate for services within the agreed time period
• Provide as much information as possible about what you want to avoid wasted time or resources
• Be open about your expectations, especially if they’re working on a longer-term project for you

Signs of a Reliable Tradie

Just like there are signs for a non-reliable tradie, there are also signs for a reliable tradie and these generally are:

• They will be happy to provide references from past clients
• They will be able to show proof of their insurance and licensing
• They will arrive on time or let you know if they will be late
• They will be transparent about costs and what’s required for the job
• They won’t discuss costs and confidential details with tenants
• They won’t show up at a property without tenant consent
• They perform work in a timely manner
• They are aware of legislation and rules affecting their industry
• They are used by reputable Property Management companies
• They are interested in building long-term relationships with landlords and property managers

Keep Communication Open

Open communication must always be maintained between the different parties (tradie, landlord, property manager and tenant). For it to be effective, communication must be honest and accurate. This is especially important when there is legislation in place. A range of communication techniques should be used like emails, meeting in person, text messages, phone calls and absolutely, reports. Don’t forget consistency, that is all parties need to be kept up to date on all issues found and current progression of works.

Dealing with Problems Quickly & Effectively

It is your responsibility as a property manager/owner that any issues like plumbing emergencies (leaks, water hot unit issues etc) are dealt with quickly and effectively. Often what starts off as a minor problem can escalate into a huge drama. Ignoring it or leaving it for weeks on end will only make it worse. Your wallet will suffer too with costly repair and replacement bills. A tradie should ensure that such problems are dealt with quickly and effectively, but also will keep all parties involved up to date on timeframes around work progression and completion.

Our expert team of plumbers are all about building long term relationships with you. Get in touch today and let’s begin the process. Contact O’Neill & Brown Plumbing Service now.