How can you plan for seasonal maintenance?

1 Assess your properties

The first step in planning for seasonal maintenance is to assess the condition of your properties and identify the areas that need attention. You can use a checklist or an app to inspect your properties and record any issues, such as leaks, cracks, mold, pests, or faulty appliances. You should also review your maintenance records and tenant feedback to see if there are any recurring problems or complaints. This will help you prioritize the most urgent and important tasks and allocate your resources accordingly.

2 Create a schedule

The next step is to create a schedule for your seasonal maintenance tasks, based on the weather, the availability of contractors, and the preferences of your tenants. You should plan ahead and communicate with your tenants about the dates and times of the maintenance work, and ask for their cooperation and feedback. You should also consider the frequency and duration of the tasks, and try to avoid overlapping or conflicting activities. For example, you might want to schedule gutter cleaning before winter, furnace inspection before fall, and landscaping before spring.

3 Hire contractors

The third step is to hire contractors to perform the maintenance tasks that you cannot or should not do yourself. You should look for reliable, licensed, and insured contractors who have experience and expertise in your type of properties and the tasks you need. You should also compare prices and quality, and negotiate the terms and conditions of the contract. You should also monitor the progress and quality of the work, and pay the contractors promptly and fairly.

4 Track expenses

The fourth step is to track your expenses for seasonal maintenance, and compare them with your budget and income. You should keep receipts and invoices for all the materials and services you purchase, and categorize them by property and task. You should also update your financial records and reports, and analyze your return on investment and profitability. You should also look for ways to reduce your costs, such as buying in bulk, using energy-efficient products, or applying for tax credits or rebates.

5 Evaluate results

The fifth step is to evaluate the results of your seasonal maintenance, and measure its impact on your properties, tenants, and business. You should inspect your properties after the maintenance work, and check if there are any defects or issues that need to be fixed or improved. You should also solicit feedback from your tenants, and see if they are satisfied with the maintenance work and the condition of their units. You should also review your performance indicators, such as occupancy rate, tenant retention, rent collection, and customer satisfaction.

6 Plan for next season

The sixth step is to plan for the next season, and use the lessons learned from the previous one to improve your maintenance strategy. You should update your checklist and schedule, and adjust them according to the changing needs and expectations of your properties and tenants. You should also research and adopt new technologies and best practices that can help you streamline your maintenance process and enhance your results. You should also set goals and objectives for your next season, and monitor your progress and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?