What to look at when comparing property manager quotes

Don’t compare just one number. Quotes covering different scopes of work can’t be compared by a single figure.

Question 1, what’s included and what isn’t. Whether cleaning, snow removal, leaf collection, mandatory inspections and the emergency service are included, or whether they’ll show up as separate line items.

Question 2, exact timeframes. How long it takes the emergency service to arrive. How long it takes to accept and complete a request. Ask for numbers, not vague labels.

Question 3, who does the work. Whether the company handles some of the work itself or hands everything to subcontractors.

Question 4, how you can see the money. Where and how often they publish the building’s financial reports.

Question 5, where you can see their work. Specific addresses nearby that you can go and look at.

The best test. Ask every candidate the same five questions. The differences in their answers will tell you more than any presentation.