The cost to maintain a home has risen sharply over the past few years. On average, homeowners are paying $1,180 a month in hidden home maintenance costs, according to research from Zillow and Thumbtack. These increases are due in part to the rise in material costs as well as labor shortages across the trades.
There are ways to hedge against these price increases, however. The key is to be proactive. Preventative maintenance can help keep systems and building materials functioning effectively, so as to avoid larger issues from occurring when they fail. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management program offers a range of preventative maintenance solutions to homeowners across Greenwich, CT. Hear are a few of them:
One of the preventative maintenance tasks that our Greenwich property management team provides is seasonal roof and window inspections. Careful review of these surfaces will help identify any missing or damages shingles or flashing, rot on windows and trim, and any other issues that could allow water to enter the house. Since many of these surfaces are out of site, inspections are key to accessing high and out of reach areas.
The idea is to fix problems before they become bigger issues. For example, cracked flashing, if left unattended, can allow water to enter the house. Once this happens, mold can grow and wood can rot. And since water issues are often out of site, behind walls, or in the eves, catching issues is critical.
Servicing generators and HVAC equipment on a yearly basis (once for heat and once for AC) provides our Greenwich property management crew the opportunity to inspect the system closely. By doing so we can help identify worn out parts that may need to be replaced to avoid the system from breaking down and causing larger issues. In addition, tasks like cleaning the evaporator coils, changing out the filters, and clearing blocked drain lines will help the equipment run at peak efficiency.
When basement flooding occurs it’s important that your sump pump is functioning properly. Regular inspections can help identify issues to ensure that the equipment is always in proper working order. If the sump pump was to fail, the cost and inconvenience of water damage to the home could become a major problem.
Although cost is a factor when it comes to fire events, the real concern here is safety. A single spark from the heating element can ignite lint that’s built up inside of a dryer vent. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), dryer fires are responsible for approximately 15,600 structure fires, 400 injuries and 15 deaths annually. Furthermore, dryer fires are responsible for over $100 million in property losses each year. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team deals with dryer vent issues regularly. Having them cleaned is a critical part of any preventative home maintenance plan.
Smoke detectors do their job well; however, they will not perform their critical duty if they are not in working order. 3 out of 5 residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm, or smoke alarms that fail to operate, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Many of us don’t think about them. As a result, years can go by without testing or replacing smoke detectors.
As part of our Greenwich Property Management program, we check fire and carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they are functioning properly. And we will replace the equipment when needed. Alarm sensors can wear out and so it is recommended that they be replaced every 10 years, and checked at least once per year.
Managing the numerous trades required to handle preventative maintenance tasks is often a time consuming and frustrating process. This is why Greenwich homeowners rely on Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management program. We handle all of your preventative maintenance requirements. Having one contact for all of these tasks not only makes life easier, it can also help save you from unexpected costs in the future.
At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich Property Management team deals with a wide range of home maintenance issues across Greenwich, CT. What are some of the most pressing issues that homeowners are facing these days? We’ve been getting a lot of calls regarding clogged drains in the kitchen and bathroom. Our Operations Manager John Duffy Jr. discusses some of the leading causes and solutions for clogged drains.
John JR: There are a fairly wide range of issues that can lead to a clogged drain in the kitchen, bathroom or in the main water or sewer lines. A few of the more common causes include:
Hair and soap (sometimes combined) are leading causes of clogged pipes in the bathroom. This is typically an easy fix for our Greenwich property management team. Clogs can occur when animal fat derivatives from bar soap mixes with minerals to cause build up. Sometimes the soap deposits on their own are enough to slow the flow of water. More significant issues, however, typically occur when soap residue combines with hair. This can lead to clogs severe enough to virtually stop the flow of water.
Sometimes, if the issue is occurring towards the top of the drain, we can remove the top portion of the stopper assembly and reach the hair with needle nose plyers to remove the blockage. Other times, if the hair is further down the drain, we will use a snake to remove the clog.
We advise our Greenwich property management clients to always wipe up loose hairs in and around the sink, and avoid cleaning hair brushes over the sink.
Deposits from calcium, magnesium and metallic elements in the water can build up on the inside of pipes and eventually reduce the flow. This is a natural occurrence caused by hard water that contains dissolved mineral compounds. In addition to pipe scale issues, hard water can also lead to buildup on the inside of appliances and on the surface of sinks, showers and faucets.
Our Greenwich property management team will typically treat pipe scale by recommending the installation of a water softener system. Softeners consist of a tank that is connected to the main water line of the home. Inside the tank, thousands of resin beads attract and capture the mineral and metallic elements, allowing the soft water to pass through.
Tree roots can cause severe drainage issues to water or sewer main lines. Old pipes can eventually deteriorate, allowing roots to burrow into the pipe and block flow. The roots seek out water and waste in the lines. Gurgling sounds in your pipes can be an early sign of a potential root problem.
The first step in diagnosing a tree root issue is to have your Greenwich Property Management plumbing professional scan the drain with a camera. Once the issue has been identified, there are a range of potential solutions. Some include removing roots using a snake, administering chemical root killers, and fixing any visible leaks that could lead to problems down the road. This is typically an issue that is best handled by home maintenance professionals.
Unfortunately, paper towels, dental floss and other trash items do make their way into drains. Since these items do not break down, they can cause significant clogs in main drain lines and septic systems. They can even lead to issues for public sewer works. Even wipes that are labeled as “flushable” should typically not be flushed. They just don’t break down enough for certain systems.
It’s important to note that the only items that should be flushed, or put down the drain, are human waste and toilet paper. Toilet paper is specially designed to completely break down. If an issue does occur within the pipes, the drain will be snaked to remove the clog.
Clogged drains can be a disruption and can sometimes lead to costly issues. If you’re experiencing slow water flow, or a stoppage, call the Greenwich property management team at Duffy Home Solutions. Our Greenwich, CT plumbers can diagnose and fix issues large and small.
Some home maintenance projects are easily handled by homeowners, but others require the experience and skills of a trained professional. At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich Property Management team consists of home maintenance journeymen. We also have relationships with some of the best service professionals in Greenwich. They’ll be the first to tell you that certain jobs are better left to the pros. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Greenwich, CT residents are directly affected by well and irrigation issues. The back country area of town has a high concentration of ledge rock. As a result, well water can be sparce. This makes it hard to irrigate gardens, fill pools, and it can even affect the water supply to indoor and outdoor faucets.
This is the type of job that requires Greenwich Property Management professionals. Our team has solved these types of problems across town. We bring in well and irrigation system specialists that can identify the location and depths of well water and we work together to develop a plan to solve the issue.
Generators and HVAC systems require annual maintenance to remain at peak efficiency. Regularly scheduled maintenance can also head off issues before they become bigger, more expensive repairs. And if an issue does arise, the repair work is typically not an appropriate job for a homeowner. When it comes to maintaining and repairing a generator or HVAC system, it’s important to bring in a trained and licensed Greenwich Property Management professional to properly diagnose and fix the problem.
The water table can be high for properties close to the shore in Greenwich, CT. Depending on the situation, the installation of a sump pump may be sufficient to solve water in the basement. For more serious cases, exterior drainage work may be required. In these instances, the water may need to be redirected away from the house. This can be accomplished with re-grading and potentially adding curtain drains, trench drains and/or a dry well.
Excavation, drainage and sump pump installation and servicing require experience, technical know-how and sometimes heavy equipment. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich Property Management team is equipped to handle these types of jobs. Our team can provide a full assessment of your water issue and develop a plan to solve the problem.
Although the Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich Property Management team handles small jobs, such as powerwashing and cleaning outdoor furniture, homeowners are really glad to have us when a major system malfunctions – such as a plumbing or electrical issue. Although not all of these jobs are big, they almost always require the skill of an experienced, licensed trade person.
Plumbing problems can range from leaky faucets to burst pipes. Low water pressure, water heater beakdowns and leaking toilets are also common issues that our Greenwich Property Management team faces. These are some of the most pressing home maintenance issues since water leaks can lead to wood rot and mold over time.
It goes without saying that electrical work can be dangerous. Let’s leave this one to the Property Management pros. Common electrical issues that homeowners face include overloaded circuits, surges or dips in the power, and outlets that are not functioning. Electrical needs, of course, aren’t always a result of an issue. Our Greenwich Property Management team helps homeowners with new indoor and outdoor lighting installation, replacement of lighting fixtures, and even changing of lightbulbs.
Roof issues can be stressful. They often lead to leaks and require attention right away. Some issues, however, can go unnoticed. When they do, they can lead to serious damage. Regular roof inspections can help identify issues before they become bigger problems. Storm and tree damage, ice build-up, and temperature fluctuations can all lead to cracked slate, wood or asphalt roofing. And over time these materials can simply degrade. When this occurs, it can lead to leaks in locations that you may not be aware of.
When it comes to these bigger jobs (and some smaller jobs too) it’s always good to have a local professional on hand. The challenge that we often see, however, is that many of these maintenance needs require a separate trade or pro to handle the job. Greenwich Property Management services are designed to provide Greenwich, CT homeowners one source for all of your home maintenance needs. When you’re a Duffy Home Solutions Property Management customer you’ll have one contact to handle it all.
When identifying a company to care for your home maintenance needs, location counts. For Greenwich, CT residents, hiring a Greenwich property management company can yield a range of benefits. Let’s take a look at why going hyper local makes sense when you’re in need of HVAC, plumbing or appliance repair, or even more simple home upkeep services.
Property management companies use a range of different terms to define the business including property maintenance company, home maintenance company, and home management company. At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich Property Management services provide one source for all home upkeep, maintenance and repairs – small or large. Types of services can range from replacing lightbulbs and cleaning outdoor furniture to diagnosing and repairing HVAC and plumbing systems.
Duffy Home Solutions’ Greenwich Property Management team is located in Greenwich, CT and has been since 1988. We only serve homeowners in town. As a result, we know the area very well, and the property maintenance challenges that are specific to the town.
Greenwich is broken up into three general zones that include the waterfront, in town, and back country. Let’s take a look at the unique property maintenance needs of the waterfront and back country.
The position of Greenwich along the coast means that the water table is high. This can result in a range of issues for homes that are on or close to the water. Basement flooding as well as lawn and driveway flooding can lead to major issues. Our Greenwich Property Management team has done extensive work on exterior drainage, sump pump installment and repair, and even excavation to move water away from the house when water levels rise.
Another issue that waterfront homes in Greenwich face is rapid wear and tear on home exteriors. The salt air and heavy winds can cause maintenance issues that include siding, door and window rot and corrosion, roof shingle and flashing damage, and downed trees. Getting ahead of these issues can help avoid further damage down the line. And having a local maintenance provider that understands the area intimately can be key to properly diagnosing issues and effectively repairing them.
One of the most significant issues that Greenwich homeowners face when living in the back country is sparsity of underground water. Because the landscape in this section of town is riddled with ledge rock, plentiful well water can be an issue. Warm summer months can lead to dry springs.
Our Greenwich Property Management team has helped homeowners that have simply run out of water when trying to balance household needs with irrigation. We have tricks to help the property produce more water. And we’ve worked closely with local irrigation companies to help homeowners implement irrigation strategies so they do not run out of water for the house or plantings.
Another key benefit to having a local home maintenance solution in town is the ability to respond to issues quickly and efficiently. Our office is only minutes away from our property management clients. When you need us, we’ll be there.
Because The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich Property Management team is familiar with the specific issues of the town, we not only help fix maintenance problems, but we can also help provide solutions to mitigate issues in the future. Our in-house team of licensed and insured maintenance journeyman, combined with our longstanding relationships with Greenwich based subs, allows us to provide comprehensive service to homeowners specifically in Greenwich.
Contact Duffy Home Solutions for more information about Property Management Services.
Managing a home in Greenwich, CT can almost be a full time job. Greenwich property management tasks such as power washing the patio, painting the house, or putting away patio furniture are hard to ignore, but there are several home maintenance needs that do. At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich property management team has put together a list of tasks that should be done on a regular basis to keep your appliances, mechanical equipment and home working efficiently and effectively.
Enrolling in our property management program can ensure these items are taken care of for you. Following are a few key home maintenance initiatives to keep an eye on.
Tree limbs can cause a lot of damage if they fall on the house, auxiliary buildings, or other plantings or trees. And overgrown shrubs that are too close to the house can inhibit airflow and lead to mold and/or rot on siding. The property management team at Greenwich Home Management can inspect the entire property at least once per year to determine if any trees need to be trimmed or plantings need to be trimmed or moved.
Some homeowners don’t realize that inspecting and cleaning the HVAC system is critical to helping mechanical equipment operate at peak efficiency. In addition, this yearly home maintenance task can help equipment last longer. And finding and fixing minor issues can help avoid larger breakdowns before they become bigger, more expensive problems. AC systems should be inspected and cleaned once per year, around May. Heating system yearly maintenance should be completed around October.
Putting this task off could reduce the life span of your refrigerator. Condenser coils run across the bottom or back of the unit. Over time they collect dust and pet hair. This clogs the vents and limits airflow. As a result the unit has to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. The fridge will then use more energy and more strain will be put on the mechanical components. Cleaning refrigerator coils is the type of chore that homeowners often avoid. That’s where Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management services come in. Tasks like this can be part of your regular, ongoing home maintenance plan.
One of the leading causes of hot water heater failure is not draining the tank at least once per year. Sediment can settle at the bottom of the tank. When left in, the sediment can corrode the tank and cause it to leak. When the tank is full of sediment the equipment also has to work harder. This puts strain on the system that can reduce the life span of the unit.
Hot water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod inside the tank. It works by attracting corrosive elements away from other parts of the tank. The anode rod should be inspected regularly and replaced once it becomes significantly deteriorated. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team recommends inspecting hot water heaters once per year. During the inspecting we drain the tank and inspect the anode rod.
There’s nothing like relaxing in front of the fire on a cold winter day. Avoiding chimney cleaning, however, could result in a serious safety issue. Over time wood burning fires deposit soot and creosote inside the lining of the chimney. These elements are highly flammable. Too much buildup could cause a chimney fire. We recommend cleaning the chimney once per year.
Most know to clean the dryer lint trap after each run. This allows airflow to effectively move through the dryer. The equipment has to work harder and takes longer to dry clothes when clogged. The same rule applies to the vent pipe itself. Lint can build up inside the pipe. This restricts airflow as it works to push air out. More importantly, a dryer vent full of lint can be a serious safety issue. Lint is extremely flammable and can ignite while the machine is running. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team cleans dryer vents by using special brushes with a long extension.
Making sure your home is properly maintained will help the investments that you make last longer, and keep things running more efficiently. Some homeowners keep lists of essential home maintenance tasks to check off throughout the year. For those that would rather spend their free time being with family and friends, Duffy Home Solutions offers full service property management services for Greenwich Homeowners. We provide one point of contact for all of your home maintenance needs.
Every section of the country has its unique challenges when it comes to home maintenance, renovations, new construction and residential property management. Weather, geography, vegetation, and permitting all play a role. So what do you need to think about when considering how to manage property and/or renovate in the town of Greenwich? There are several unique attributes of Greenwich in particular that makes it a challenge. These same factors also make it a privilege to live here. Let’s take a look.
The Greenwich, CT area has unique landscape features that can make renovation, new construction and landscaping a bit of a challenge. The area has a lot of ledge, for example. This specific issue has been a thorn in the side of Greenwich homebuilders, residential property management companies and homeowners for years. Ledge in the ground makes it very hard to dig for a pool or basement foundation. Growing grass, trees and plantings can also be difficult unless you’re able to get enough soil over it to allow for proper root growth. Blasting the ledge is typically the solution when looking to dig deep into the ground.
Having a relationship with an experienced Greenwich area homebuilder and maintenance professional will be key when looking to build and maintain a waterfront property. The land in the area typically has a high water table and so drainage and redirection of water is key for keeping finished basements dry and building new foundations. In addition these types of lots often have sloping and rocky topography with highly technical engineering requirements for building.
When it comes to maintenance, it’s important to have a residential property management professional that understands how to take care of waterfront homes. The salt air and winds coming off the water will ware on the structure and landscaping much quicker than homes that are inland. More frequent inspection, repair and maintenance of roofing, flashing, decking, doors and windows is typically the norm. Greenwich Home Management manages waterfront properties and so we understand what it takes to keep up.
If you’re building or buying property directly on the waterfront, or positioned just off the water, you’ll want to consider the interior of the home as well. Sand and saltwater will inevitably make its way inside. Flooring, fine rugs, and upholstery can be subject to ware when exposed to these elements. Consider installing an outdoor shower and be sure to have a mudroom space or entry with durable flooring to catch sand. And make it a habit to remove shoes before entering the main space.
Greenwich is an area with a large population and high frequency of complex home building and renovation projects. Large homes that are built on challenging land require specific permit requirements from the town. It’s critical to have a building partner that understands the local permitting process. At Greenwich Home Management we’ve been managing residential properties and building new homes and renovations for years in Greenwich. As a result we have relationships with town officials as well as an intimate knowledge of the permitting requirements.
This factor is not unique to Greenwich, however the New England climate is something that homeowners here need to consider. Typical Connecticut seasonal weather factors require ongoing maintenance. Autumn means fall cleanup, gutter cleaning and tree trimming. The winter snow and ice as well as heavy spring rains and summer heat can ware on roofing, flashing, decking, masonry, siding, and other parts of the home. When homeowners are enrolled with Greenwich Home Management property management program they have one point of contact for professionals across all trades.
If you’re considering building a new home or renovating an existing property in Greenwich, CT, it’s important to know the challenges you may face. This way you’ll be prepared when it comes time to build or buy and you’ll know what to expect in terms of ongoing property management requirements. At Greenwich Home Management we’ve helped numerous families navigate the area. We’ve found that living in this beautiful section of the country is well worth any of the challenges that it may pose.
There are numerous projects that come up around the house are appropriate for a handyman to tackle. Sometimes home renovation or maintenance tasks require the skill of an experienced professional. Other times you may just not have the time to handle everything that needs to be done around the house. Either way these are just a few of the key home maintenance projects that call for a Greenwich area handyman.
Clogged gutters and damaged flashing and roofing material can lead to water issues inside the house. When gutters get clogged, water can backup and work itself under roofing material, eventually moving it’s way into the house. Gunk in gutters can also attract rodents and pests and be a harbinger for mold. This is a good job for a handyman. The project is not only time consuming, it also requires getting up on high ladders, which can be dangerous and requires specific equipment.
Damaged wood, shingle, metal or slate roofing and flashing can also lead to water infiltration. Oftentimes this type of issue goes unnoticed for long periods of time. Water can get inside soffits and attic space, and soak insulation and framing while causing mildew and rot that can’t bee seen. A good handyman can provide an inspection of these spaces periodically and fix issues as needed.
Power washing is one of those tasks that requires a fair amount of time as well as specific equipment. It can be difficult to justify making the investment in a power washer, particularly when you may only use it once per year. At Greenwich Home Management our residential property management team handles a large number of power washing jobs across Greenwich and surrounding Fairfield County towns. We send a handyman to tackle power washing of siding, driveways, patio furniture, stone surfaces and more. This is an excellent task to outsource and the results are gratifying.
Even the highest quality hardware tends to become misaligned over time. Hinges and doorknobs can be tricky to get just right, and It can be frustrating when doors and windows stick or when locks are hard to open or close. Bringing in a handyman from a property management team can make all the difference. When a stuck door is restored to its proper functionality, it’s a nice relief.
Installing or repairing a fixture, such as chandelier, kitchen sink, water filter, or shower faucet requires time and can be an intimidating task for homeowners. These are the types of jobs are perfect for the handyman crew of our property management team at Greenwich Home Management. And when you have a professional handling the task you’ll have peace of mind that the job will be done property. That’s important because improper installation can result in flooding, electric or other issues. It can be extremely frustrating when things in the house don’t work property, particularly after spending precious time working on them. Hiring a professional in this case is always a good idea.
Light bulb changing is the never-ending task of homeownership. And some of them are difficult, or near impossible to reach without large ladders. This is one project that’s simply a delight to outsource. Changing light bulbs is one of the more common tasks that the handyman crew at Greenwich Home Management handles for our Greenwich clients. Just give us a call and we’ll take care of it. In addition we can string your interior and exterior holiday and decorative lights. So you’ll always have a warm and inviting property to come home to around the holidays.
Having a trusted Greenwich area handyman to reach out to can be a time saver and always ensures that projects around the house get done efficiently and correctly. When you have Greenwich Home Management residential property management team on your side it just takes one phone call to handle any and all of your home maintenance needs.
We put together the following Q&A with John Duffy from Greenwich Home Management in Greenwich, CT to help you better understand how residential property management works. Right now it’s springtime and the busy season for home maintenance is upon us. We thought this would be a good time to discuss the benefits that come along with having a dedicated partner to handle the wide range of home maintenance needs.
A: Property management is a program that homeowners enroll in that provides year round home maintenance and repair coverage. When you enroll in the program you have a single point of contact for all repairs, maintenance and emergencies, 24/7 365 days a year. This means you can call us at any time and we’ll send one of our experienced professionals over to handle jobs such as fixing a leaky faucet, yearly pool opening, or refinishing your basement.
You pay a nominal fixed monthly fee, which gives you access to the service. Your home repair or emergency will then be responded to and handled immediately. For major repairs we will obtain multiple competitive bids from our pre-vetted roster of qualified service providers.
At Greenwich Home Management we’ve been in the business of home improvement in Greenwich, CT for over 25 years. Our employees are full-time professional journeymen. As a result, when you enroll in our property management program you’ll be confident that a skilled professional is handling the job – no matter what type of project it is.
A: A handyman typically handles small, relatively simple jobs around the house. Using a handyman for specialized, highly skilled work, however, is not typically recommended.
DHS employees are full-time professional journeymen that are skilled in precision home repair projects. When it comes to home maintenance projects such as installing a new pool pump, building custom cabinetry, or maintaining your HVAC system, you always want to be employing experienced, skilled specialists that are licensed in their specific trades. In these instances, we obtain multiple competitive bids from our pre-vetted roster of service professionals.
Homeowners know that maintaining a home requires a wide range of professionals. Finding and scheduling ones you trust is challenging. When you’re a client of DHS we will assess your specific project need and provide the appropriate solution with prompt and professional customer service.
A: We are your single point of contact. Certain yearly maintenance will automatically be taken care of depending on your homes specific requirements. These types of projects may include pool opening and closing, pool cleaning, setting up patio furniture, gutter cleaning, yearly HVAC cleaning and servicing, etc. When additional needs come up we pride ourselves on our expeditious response to client requests.
A: We will assign a single key holder to your account. If indoor maintenance is required when you are not home, your key holder will come over to let the tradesperson in. This way you have a trusted contact to take care of it, and you won’t have to work around someone else’s schedule to get things done around the house.
A: When we say no job is too big or too small we mean it. Property management covers virtually anything that you can think of regarding the repair and maintenance of your home. We even get calls from our clients from time to time with trivial non-repair issues - they may have left the house and cannot remember if they turned off the stove or they are running behind on their way home and call us to stop by and let the dog out. We are always happy to help!
Some other examples of small or miscellaneous projects would include changing light bulbs, stringing holiday lights, adjusting hinges, or installing a pet door. And since we employ highly skilled local Greenwich, CT area trades and craftsmen, we can also help you install a new pool, fix wet basement issues and finish the space, build a new home addition or renovate your kitchen and/or bathroom.
At Greenwich Home Management we started out as luxury custom homebuilders and renovation specialists. Being a custom home contractor requires pulling the full range of trades together. This is how we’ve vetted the tradespeople that we hire for our property management program. The same professionals that help build the finest custom homes in Greenwich, CT and Fairfield County are the pros that will be maintaining your home.
A: No. Everyone has maintenance needs. At Greenwich Home Management we maintain a range of property types. It comes down to convenience. We provide a level of service that helps you eliminate the time consuming calling and scheduling required to keep up with your property. This allows you to focus on more important things, like spending time with your fa
Hard water can be an issue in Greenwich, CT and surrounding Fairfield County towns, particularly in mid country Greenwich. As a local home maintenance company we get a lot of calls regarding clogged plumbing and other issues that range from difficult to clean tubs to fading laundry. There are several factors to consider when dealing with hard water. The following will help you determine how to manage the problem.If you’re ready to call in a pro to help with regularly maintaining your Greenwich, CT area property there are several things to consider to ensure you’ll get the most out of the relationship. Residential property management companies can help with small projects that can be managed by a handyman or they can bring in pros year round to service and maintain every part of the home. By going this rout you have one point of contact for plumbing, HVAC, roofing, plowing, landscaping and all other trades. At Greenwich Home Management we handle everything from changing light bulbs to installing a new home theater system.
Understanding the Process
Before you hire a residential property management company, be prepared with questions so that you have a firm grasp on what to expect. The following questions will help:
How do you charge?
You’ll want to know how you’ll be billed. Ask if the fees will be based on an hourly rate or per project. A good home maintenance company will typically bill monthly for general upkeep based on an agreed upon list of tasks. Ask ahead of time, however, how billing will work for projects that come up beyond the scope of the monthly or yearly program.
What Are My Payment Options?
Make sure to get an understanding of what form of payment is accepted. This can effect how you plan to manage your money. You may want to know if your property management company accepts credit cards, if they accept large installations up front, and/or what time of the month invoices will arrive and are due.
What are the Qualifications of Your Subcontractors?
The people that work under your contractors are just as important as the contractors themselves. Ask about subcontractor qualification and experience. Greenwich Home Management only hires trusted, experienced, skilled labor to handle client work. Fly by night operations or moonlighters should be avoided.
How Do I Provide Entry to My Home and Who Do I Come to With Issues & Questions?
You’ll want to have one point of contact for all work to be done. At Greenwich Home Management we provide a single source for communication. This individual will be the only person with key access to the home. At your discretion they allow trades to gain entry to the house and outbuildings when work needs to be completed. If you have any issues or questions at any time you can contact your maintenance rep for resolution.
What is your Experience With Obtaining Permits?
Permits are required for a range of different projects. You may want to build a new pool house or install a new HVAC system. Applying for and obtaining permits in Greenwich, CT and the surrounding area requires knowledge of the local system, regulations and experience in the range of fields. Be sure that your property management company has knowledge of the permitting process in your area.
Preparation
When hiring a reputable handyman and property management company you’ll be getting experienced professionals across the entire line of trades. To ensure this is that case you’ll want to prepare before hiring. Check licensing and insurance paperwork. Don’t chase the lowest price – oftentimes you get what you pay for. Ask for references from clients that have used the service in the past. And discuss how they plan to resolve any issues that may arise.
Additional preparation prior to meeting your home maintenance professional should include creating a list of short and long-term projects as well as ongoing tasks that you’ll want help with. Consider the tasks for each season as you create the list and take a walk around your property to identify the areas that you would like help with. With the right help you’ll have more time to focus on the things that are most important to you.
