Maintenance in a rental property is inevitable. But, how can investors be sure they are hiring the right person for the job? Rental property contractors are typically easy to find, but investors need to find the right person for the job at hand. That said, finding a reputable, licensed contractor is more complicated than it seems. Keep reading as we discuss what rental property contractors do and how to find the best one for your rental business.
What are Rental Property Contractors Responsible For?
Before choosing a contractor, you should know what type of work you need to be done in your rental. For example, there are different contractors out there for your specific property needs. For example, if you need electrical repairs done to your property, you’d likely call an electrician. Similarly, you may contact a general contractor or a carpenter if you need an extensive renovation done.
Overall, depending on what type of contractor you hire, they are responsible for repairing or maintaining your rental property. That said, there are contractors for almost anything you may need to be done to keep your rental up-to-date. So, let’s go over some of the most common types of rental property contractors.
Types of Contractors for Rental Properties
For any work your rental property needs, there’s a contractor out there who’s qualified to do it. So, what types of contractors are there, and what work do they perform? Here are some of the most common types of workers:
- General Contractor
- Carpenter
- Painter
- Electrician
- Roofer
- HVAC Specialist
- Flooring Contractor
General Contractor
A general contractor is responsible for coordinating, executing, and managing building or renovation projects. They are the ones that enter the contract with a property owner and take responsibility for managing the project. With that, they hire suppliers and subcontractors to help get the job done.
Carpenter
Carpenters are capable of performing a wide range of tasks. For example, most carpenters construct, repair, and install building structures and frameworks built from wood and other building materials. In addition, many carpenters work indoors and outdoors on various rental property projects, such as installing kitchen cabinets and performing other renovations.
Painter
While you may think it’s easier to paint your rental yourself, hiring a painter can bring many benefits. For example, an experienced painter will have all the tools and equipment necessary to complete the job quickly and professionally.
Electrician
Electricians are contractors who repair electrical systems such as outlets and lighting solutions. That said, there are different electricians for specific repairs. Some categories include television technicians, fire alarm system specialists, and sound equipment professionals.
Roofer
Roofing is not an easy job for the average person. Roofing contractors work to replace, install, or repair roofs on rental properties. Similarly, roofing specialists may also help clean your gutters and keep them free of debris, minimizing leaks and damages to your home.
HVAC Specialist
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. So, as you can imagine, HVAV specialists work to install, repair, and maintain these crucial systems within your rental property.
Tile and Flooring Contractor
While many tile specialists strictly work on tile installation, flooring contractors can help with the rest. Offering a wide range of material options and installation methods, flooring specialists can assist you with all your flooring needs in your rental property.
How Do You Know if a Contractor is Qualified?
The first step to finding a good contractor is researching their qualifications. To make sure your rental property contractors are qualified, you should ask them for documentation. Typically, the documentation you’ll want includes:
- Verification of their current license and expiration date
- Bonding information
- Comprehensive insurance details
If you can verify these things, it’s clear that your contractor is qualified. However, just because someone is authorized doesn’t mean they are the right person for the job. Instead, you’ll want to take further measures to ensure you’re hiring the best contractor for your rental property.
Choosing the Best Contractor For Your Rental Home
Once you note what contractors you’ll need to complete work in your rental home, it’s time to start hiring. However, hiring the right contractors is another crucial process. Any contractor you hire should fit your needs and your budget. Let’s go over some ways you can be sure to choose the best rental property contractors for your home.
- Make Your Project Needs Clear
- Ask for Estimates
- Search for References and Testimonials
- Verify Qualifications and Insurance
- Look Out for Red Flags
Make Your Project Needs Clear
Before you can receive a fair estimate, you must provide clear guidelines for what you’re looking for. So, provide your contractor with a detailed list of expectations and needs for your property. Upon giving this, your contractor can give you an estimated cost and a timeframe in which it will be done.
Ask for Estimates
Large contracting jobs can get expensive quickly, and most vendors differ in price quite significantly. So, before you hire the first contractor you find, ask at least three different vendors for estimates.
Search for References and Testimonials
Good rental property contractors will have testimonials and references to prove that they do exceptional work. Rental business owners should look over these references and chat with previous clients. This will ensure the contractor performs their work on time and provides an excellent end product.
Verify Qualifications and Insurance
As stated above, your contractor needs to be licensed, bonded, and insured. Without these three essentials, you might want to think twice before hiring. Similarly, you’ll want to hire a contractor with at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage.
Look Out for Red Flags
When you perform interviews for rental property contractors, there are a few red flags to beware of. For example, if they are unlisted or do not have the proper licensing, think again. Similarly, it’s probably a bad sign if they want upfront payment or request only cash.
Where to Easily Find Rental Property Contractors
Finding a rental property contractor is relatively easy with all the endless amounts of information we have available. However, with so many accessible resources, it’s essential to seek out people you can trust deliberately. So, where can you find reputable contractors for your rental business? Here are a few suggestions:
Houzz
Houzz is one of many online platforms that can help you find a qualified contractor for your rental. With over 1 million professionals available, you’re able to find the perfect candidate for any project you may need help with. With that, this platform offers a variety of listings, from cleaning services to home builders.
HomeAdvisor
HomeAdvisor is one of the leading names in the industry and offers over 100,000 service providers for you to choose from. First, you enter what type of work you need to be done. Then the platform gives you suggestions based on your project goals and budget allowance. HomeAdvisor also runs background checks on all professionals and ensures that they are licensed.
Thumbtack
Another reputable way to find contractors is through Thumbtack, an online platform with over 10 million users. This website or mobile app connects rental owners with thousands of contractors for any of your unique needs. With Thumbtack, you can look over reviews, schedule appointments, and request estimates.
Need Help Managing Your Rental Business?
Part of running a successful rental business is hiring the right people to help you along the way. This may include contractors or rental property management teams. With the right professionals, you can accomplish all your business goals. The first step is finding a good management team. Once you have that established, they can help you take care of the rest.
Bay Property Management Group has your back throughout every step of the rental process. Our qualified team offers full-leasing services, including tenant screening, move-in, and move-out reports, maintenance, rent collection, and more. To learn more about our services and how we can help your rental business, contact us today!
BMG is a rental management company in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. We offer full-service property management to take the stress out of being a landlord!
