Doing work on own block of flats to save money

[Keitai]

Fed up with paying £525 every six months to a rip off property management company -Foxes and to then have tradesman come and rip us off as well. For example a part of the fence blew over and needs putting back with repair posts maybe three. The guy who gave a quote said could be a £1000. Although maybe £500 after haggling. I could so it myself and just charge for materials but concerns are- am I legally allowed? I have insurance but there seems to be rules around regarding stuff- for example the gardener told me he's signed a form to not cut above 3 metres . This seems ridiculous as a three metre hedgcutter when held up would reach five metres (without my feet leaving the ground). The whole thing seems like a scam.

People will default maintenance payments as many are basically skint. I'm a director and have spoken to the sort of head director and he's onboard with saving money but has said the lease has it written in that we must have a management company. We can change but he says it would be a battle to rid ourselves of these clueless rip off kids in suits completely.

 

[Mottie]

Cant you form your own management company?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

People will default maintenance payments as many are basically skint. I'm a director and have spoken to the sort of head director and he's onboard with saving money but has said the lease has it written in that we must have a management company. We can change but he says it would be a battle to rid ourselves of these clueless rip off kids in suits completely.

Set up your own management company, do the easier jobs that you can tackle, get quotes for the rest. You need the agreement and backing of all of the residents though, before moving.

 

[johnny2007]

As Harry said.
As soon as the residents hear about saving money they'll go for it.

 

[HERTS P&D]

As Harry said.
As soon as the residents hear about saving money they'll go for it.

But would they be happy with the sub standard of work that a diyer would have a go at?



Andy

 

[johnny2007]

But would they be happy with the sub standard of work that a diyer would have a go at?



Andy

True!
I assumed (probably wrongly assumed) that the op would have enough diy skills to replace a fence panel...

 

[HERTS P&D]

He can't even fit fairy lights!



Andy

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

God forbid they ever want the walls painted!

 

[Mottie]

I've got a couple of mates that work for a property management company. I wouldn't trust them to hang a picture on a wall. They only got the gig because one of them is the Brother in Law of the bloke that runs the management company. Worryingly, they claim to be the best two workers!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've got a couple of mates that work for a property management company. I wouldn't trust them to hang a picture on a wall. They only got the gig because one of them is the Brother in Law of the bloke that runs the management company. Worryingly, they claim to be the best two workers!

Yep, they are all mostly smoke and mirrors.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Well that was all nice and positive!

Yes, setting up your own property management has got to be the way to go, but make sure you have all the costs fully disclosed first.

I would be wary about letting residents do much of their own repair work, however, on the grounds that many jobs require individuals who by rights should be both competent and have had appropriate, recognised training (e.g. NECEIC or NAPIT certification for electricians, IPAF certification for powered access platform operatives, C&G or recognised equivalent certs for roofers, etc) as insurers can be lothe to cover work by person they deem to be untrained, inexperienced or unqualified. It may be worth casting about in your locale to see what trades are available and prepared to take on contract maintenance work and how much they charge as you may well want certain trades (plumber, sparky, etc) on a retainer and agreed rates. You may be able to find a multi-operative multi-skilled firm who are experienced in the field of multiple occupancy maintenance and whose charges are acceptable, but bear in mind that one man bands are generally unable to cover sick or holiday absences well and often struggle to "up man" quickly enough or even at all in the even of a major problem requiring diverse skills

 

[Charlie George]

Just look at the first related thread suggestion at the bottom of this page, that alone answers any question of this mans ability

 

[Deleted member 174758]

You mean "Seeing what I am doing in a Mirror"? Which starts:

Keep missing bits when shave . Think there's not enough light. I put in a brighter bulb in ceiling light but still can't see properly

That's easy - get some glasses and/or grow a beard!

And I don't think it's always a good idea to do the maintenance on the block you live in - you can leave yourself open to accusations of corruption (overcharging, nepotism, etc) but also if anything goes wrong you'd never hear the last of it, or worse.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Just look at the first related thread suggestion at the bottom of this page, that alone answers any question of this mans ability

Unfair to condemn everyone in those flats, with the same brush.

 

[johnny2007]

He can't even fit fairy lights!



Andy

Just realised it's keitai, aka the wind up merchant.