Adequate maintenance of your block should be high on your list of priorities as an RMC and appointing the right people to put your plans into action is vital.
Choosing the wrong contractor can slow works down, cost you more in the long run or even end up dragging you and your team through legal disputes. Block in a Box can point you in the right direction for anything from lift services to legal support to water leak detection, but if you’re out there searching for yourself, we’ve put some top tips together to make finding the right contractor a little easier, and a little safer.
The Importance of Maintenance
The reasons to keep maintenance and inspections at the top of your list (and for being proactive in your approach) are multiple:
- It’s your duty in accordance with your lease
- It’s your statutory duty in accordance with the law
- It saves money in the long run- skimping on repairs is a false economy
- It keeps your insurance premiums to a minimum
- It ensures your fellow leaseholders’ investments
- It ensures your compliance with warranty restrictions for new or refurbished properties
- It ensures the safety and happiness of your fellow residents
You can also use this list to reason with any residents who believe funds should be spent elsewhere. Without sufficient inspections, repairs and general upkeep, the domino effect can be huge.
Key Contractors for Your Block
Many RMCs rely on a professional surveyor who can inspect the building in detail and provide a schedule of works (costed and in order of priority) to form their annual maintenance plan (known as a Planned Maintenance Programme, or PMP). Your PMP should encompass everything from day-to-day cleaning to periodical repairs and redecoration as well as larger projects such as roof replacements and implementing new heating systems.
Other than a surveyor, some key contractors for your little black book should include (if applicable):
- General Cleaner
- General handyman
- Window Cleaner
- Lift Specialist
- Gardener
- Insurance Broker
- Accountant
- Lawyer
And some more niche contractors to consider for specialised facilities:
- Gym or pool maintenance specialist
- Gates specialist
- Electric vehicle charging specialist
- Car park attendant
Appointing the Right Contractors
As your contractors will be trusted to work on site to keep the building safe, compliant and your residents’ investments in good shape, it’s vital that you do your due diligence.
Make sure you’re checking:
- Their insurance
- Their reviews
- Their accreditations, qualifications and certificates
- Their previous work on other buildings and the relationship they had with the RMC there
- Their approach to customer service for you and your residents
- Their general manner (you may be working closely together for some time!)
Always approach at least 3 different suppliers for quotes with accompanying dummy contracts and compare them with the results for the checks above in mind. Do not fall into the trap of simply choosing the cheapest option. There’s a lot to be said for gut instinct after a face-to-face meeting. If a contractor is open, clear and concise in their responses to your questions and seems willing to spend the time with you, you’re likely off to a good start.
Take the stress out of finding the right contractor by using Block in a Box. We have a complete list of recommended contractors for you to choose from, all of whom are time-served specialists. You’ll find everything from 3D Surveyors to Rooftop Extension experts, with informative videos about each supplier provided on their pages to give you that all-important first impression.
