In the dynamic world of property management, the role of quality tradespeople is indispensable. These skilled professionals are the backbone of property maintenance and repair, ensuring that buildings and facilities are not only functional but also safe and appealing. However, Australia is currently facing a Tradie shortage, which is making it hard to find and keep reliable suppliers.
The Tradie shortage in Australia is more than just a numerical deficit; it’s about finding individuals who possess the technical skills and the reliability, work ethic, and quality craftsmanship that property managers rely on.
In this article, we will look at the challenges property managers face when dealing with unreliable tradespeople in Australia. We will also look at ways of finding quality professionals and building a relationship that will help you keep them for years to come.
The Importance of Quality Tradespeople in Property Management
If you are new to the slang and wondering who are tradies, let’s quickly get that out of the way. “Tradies” is a term commonly used for tradespeople in Australia. They do jobs like plumbing, electrical work, gardening, repairs and maintenance, etc. This can be done directly for homeowners or on behalf of landlords for property managers. They are also called tradesmen, trades, field service suppliers, etc.
Quality tradespeople bring a mix of skill, experience, and attention to detail that ensures every job isn’t just completed, but completed with excellence.
The Crucial Role Tradespeople Play
Skilled tradespeople are the real heroes when it comes to keeping properties in tip-top shape. They’re the ones who jump into action for everything from fixing a leaky tap to rewiring electrical systems. Their expertise is crucial in maintaining the high standards that tenants expect and property managers strive for. But it’s not just about fixing things; it’s about doing it right.
Consequences of Hiring Unskilled or Unreliable Tradespeople
When property managers end up hiring tradespeople who lack the necessary skills or reliability, the consequences can be more than just a minor inconvenience. Imagine a simple plumbing job gone wrong, leading to water damage, or an electrical fix that ends up causing more issues.
These scenarios can quickly escalate into costly repairs, unhappy tenants, and a tarnished reputation for the property management firm. It’s a domino effect where one small misstep can lead to a series of problems.
Unique Demands of Property Management on Tradespeople
Unlike one-off jobs, property management often requires ongoing maintenance, quick response times, and a deep understanding of the property’s specific needs. Tradespeople in this field need to be versatile, able to handle a variety of tasks, and be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. They become an integral part of the property management team, contributing not just their trade skills but also their knowledge of the property and its tenants.
These unique property maintenance demands when combined with the ongoing tradie shortage, make finding reliable tradespeople in Australia a task in itself.
Top challenges property managers face when dealing with tradies
While most property managers will have only good things to say about the tradies they work with, it’s not always the case.
Dealing with Overcharging: Sometimes, tradespeople might ask for more money than what seems fair. This can mess with the maintenance budget and cause a bit of a headache when explaining costs to the landlords.
Tackling Poor Workmanship: Shoddy and substandard work can put your reputation at stake as a property manager. When tradespeople don’t do a great job, it can lead to more repairs later, and nobody wants that.
The ‘No Guarantee’ Problem: Imagine getting the roof fixed and watching it drip again the next time it rains. If tradespeople don’t guarantee their work, it leaves everyone in a tough spot if things go wrong later.
Saying Yes When They Should Say No: It’s important that tradespeople only take on jobs they know they can ace. Promising more than they can deliver only leads to unmet expectations and tenant complaints.
The Mess Left Behind: No one likes cleaning up someone else’s mess, right? When tradespeople leave their rubbish behind, it’s not just more work, but it can also upset the tenants.
Forgetting About the Job: Committing to a job and then not showing up, only to tell you later on that they forgot about it, is something that happens all too often when dealing with tradies. This means delays and a whole lot of rescheduling.
Charging for Quotes: Yes, your tradie’s time is important, but not every quote needs to be charged for. Charging for giving an estimate can be a turn-off, especially when you’re just trying to figure out the best option.
No Proof of Work Done: It’s always good to have a record of what’s been fixed, kind of like keeping receipts. When there’s no proof of work, it can lead to problems down the road.
Following Up Feels Like a Chase: When your tradies don’t bother to keep you in the loop of schedule revisions or changes of plans, following up on work orders can be frustrating and slow things down.
When Communication Goes Silent: One of the biggest challenges property managers face when dealing with tradies includes poor communication. Being blindfolded on what’s happening with the work can cause misunderstandings and leave everyone a bit in the dark.
9 ways property managers can keep their tradies for life!
Finding and keeping tradespeople is all about creating a partnership that’s beneficial for both sides, where respect, communication, and mutual support are at the forefront.
Let’s explore some effective ways to nurture these relationships, making sure that no matter how bad the tradie shortage is, your go-to tradespeople in Australia are with you for the long haul.
1. Ensure Your Chosen Tradies Align with Your Business Values
Select tradespeople who share your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Build relationships based on mutual respect and understanding of each other’s business goals and work ethics and regularly assess if their services align with your tenant’s evolving needs and standards.
2. Treat Your Trade Pool as You Would Your Customer Referral Network
Just like you’d keep in touch with your clients, regularly check in with your tradespeople. A simple ‘how are you’ can go a long way. Offer constructive feedback. If something’s great, say it. If something could be better, discuss it openly and respectfully. This approach helps in nurturing a sense of partnership rather than just a transactional relationship.
3. Recommend Your Trades to Help Grow Their Business
Act as a cheerleader for your tradespeople. When they do a great job, spread the word. Referring them to others not only helps their business grow but also strengthens your relationship with them. It’s a win-win: they get more business, and you get a team that’s grateful and loyal.
4. Pay Your Tradies on Time and as per Their Payment Terms
Timely payment is a sign of respect and professionalism. It shows that you value their work and time. Being proactive in payments often results in trades responding more promptly and accommodating when you need them, especially in emergencies. This practice builds trust and reliability, making them more likely to prioritize your work.
5. Avoid Wasting Tradies' Time on Uncommitted Owners
Be mindful of your tradespeople’s time and resources. Don’t engage them for owners who are hesitant or unwilling to fulfill their legislative responsibilities. This consideration ensures that your tradespeople are working on productive tasks, respecting their time and effort. It also helps in maintaining a positive and efficient working environment.
6. Stay Informed about Your Tradies' Workloads and Availability
Regularly communicate with your tradespeople about their current workload and availability. Understanding their schedule helps in planning and reduces the likelihood of conflicts or last-minute rushes. This proactive approach shows that you respect their time and other commitments, fostering a stronger, more respectful relationship.
7. Provide Clear, Detailed Job Briefs
Ensure that every job request is accompanied by clear, detailed instructions. This helps tradespeople understand exactly what is expected, reducing misunderstandings and rework. Include specifics about the property, the issue, and any tenant considerations to be aware of.
8. Implement a Feedback System
Establish a system where both parties can give and receive feedback regularly. This could be an instant rating system, informal chats, or more structured meetings. Use this as an opportunity to praise good work, address any issues, and discuss potential improvements.
9. Ensure Safety and Compliance
Always ensure that work environments comply with safety standards. This is not just a must to keep your tenants and properties safe. This shows that you care about their well-being. Stay updated with compliance and regulatory changes that might affect their work and keep them informed.
Property Maintenance tools and software that can help mitigate the impact of staff shortage
Efficient tracking and management of maintenance requests is crucial when operating with limited suppliers. That’s where the role of Property Maintenance Software comes in.
End-to-end Property Maintenance tools like i4T Maintenance offer solutions like tenant communication, work order management, access to a vetted pool of certified tradespeople in Australia, tradie compliance management, real-time maintenance tracking, and feedback management tools.
This ensures that even amid a tradie shortage, you can still quickly obtain quotes from compliant tradies, ensure quality work, and complete maintenance requests on time.
Additionally, providing tenants with a self-service portal for raising maintenance requests, and communicating can significantly reduce the workload on limited staff.
Wrapping up
Navigating the challenges of property maintenance, especially amidst tradie shortage, requires a blend of strategic thinking and the right technological tools. By embracing innovative property maintenance software that offers maintenance tracking, and connects with pre-vetted tradespeople in Australia, property managers can significantly mitigate the impact of these challenges. These tools not only streamline operations but also ensure quality and efficiency, maintaining high standards of property upkeep.
i4T Maintenace is one such Maintenance Management platform. To learn more about how i4T Maintenance can help property managers connect with certified tradespeople in Australia amid the tradie shortage, Book a Demo today!
FAQs
Comprehensive property management platforms, maintenance request and tracking systems, and automated scheduling tools are essential for efficient management.
Using maintenance management software that connects with a network of pre-vetted and certified tradespeople can help ensure reliability and quality.
Yes, platforms like i4T Maintenance enable property managers to obtain multiple quotes, allowing them to compare and choose the best balance of price and quality.
Communication tools are crucial for effective coordination among team members and clear communication with tenants, leading to more streamlined property maintenance.
Maintenance software automates and simplifies task management, assists in efficient scheduling, and facilitates connections with skilled tradespeople, reducing the challenges posed by staff shortages.
