3 Ways to Build Strong Vendor Relationships

You use vendors for your properties’ lawn care, appliance repairs, HVAC maintenance, and other services. Developing strong vendor relationships can be critical to keeping your owners and tenants satisfied with your business. Here’s how to create connections to your vendors.

Set Expectations

Vendors can’t meet your expectations if they don’t know what those expectations are. When you meet the vendor, be specific with the scope of the repairs or maintenance, timeline, pricing, and what a completed job looks like. By setting these clear expectations, you limit potential misunderstandings and incomplete repairs.

Provide Open Communication Channels

Ensure the vendor has an easy way to contact you to answer any questions that pop up during the job. Discuss ahead of time what that channel will be—email, text, phone call? Knowing the best way to communicate will prevent delays, helping the vendor finish the job on time.

Show Them Their Value

Simple gestures can go a long way to developing vendor relationships. Paying them on time proves you are a reliable customer, and they may prioritize your business higher in the future. Also, providing positive feedback when appropriate or—even better—a referral to another property manager demonstrates how much you value their services.