what do property managers look for ??

[KDLAWN]

what do big commercial property managers look for when choosing a company to maintain their property???

I am trying to get into bigger commercial properties and wondering what exactly they look for inorder to place a bid

detailed information would be great

how much liability insurance do they like for you to have?

thanks !!

[2low4NH]

i carry million to 2 mill in general and i dont do commercial accounts

[Green Pastures]

The lowest bidder....

[KDLAWN]

yeah, lower bidder usually win, but what do you have to do inorder to be consider for the bids

thanks:hammerhead:

[Hanau]

I have 2 apartment complexes, the one in Moscow I know the owner from the AL. The one in Lewiston I know the owner from the VFW. I take care of the Chevy dealership I buy my trucks from and the trailer dealer I buy my trailers from. I also know a realtor through the VFW, he has me do his property cleanups and recommends me to new homeowners. I attend builders association functions and have picked up a butt load of sod laying, tree removal, land clearing, and new construction landscaping jobs through that.

You have 2 choices.

Be the lowest bidder.

or

Network.

[Total Grounds Maintenance]

I have 2 apartment complexes, the one in Moscow I know the owner from the AL. The one in Lewiston I know the owner from the VFW. I take care of the Chevy dealership I buy my trucks from and the trailer dealer I buy my trailers from. I also know a realtor through the VFW, he has me do his property cleanups and recommends me to new homeowners. I attend builders association functions and have picked up a butt load of sod laying, tree removal, land clearing, and new construction landscaping jobs through that.

You have 2 choices.

Be the lowest bidder.

or

Network.

I second both answers. Can't believe no one mentioned the other thing that isn't't exactly in the lawn and landscape hand book. You know "that thing" Hey, I'm from NJ what do you expect.......just kidding :)

[Hanau]

Kickbacks?

Do that too with nurseries, rental yards, and supply yards. Every referral that results in a signed contract gets $50 cash. I'm not a huge fan of these, usually it's something Johnny Homeowner screwed up real bad.

Every realtor that sells an irrigation system w/ a home gets $200.

Existing customers that refer me to someone that signs a contract get $100.

It's all built into the pricing structure.

[Bunton Guy]

9 out of 10 property managers around here won't give landscapers the time of day. They have a couple large companies doing all of their properties and thats that.

really hard to get your foot in the door here locally.

[Stillwater]

price...........

[Bunton Guy]

Like I said above...even if you are cheaper around here the property managers won't even give you a chance to bid to show that you are lower priced then the next company.

[mdlwn1]

1. Price
2. No excuses...get it done NOW!

I always hear...but it was raining...I lost my guy....yada yada yada. You need to be their partner...you need to MANAGE their site for them. When they want a bid...you need to work late that day and get it in THE NEXT DAY.

[topsites]

Why, did you get a call from some "Property Management company" too?

[Stillwater]

Like I said above...even if you are cheaper around here the property managers won't even give you a chance to bid to show that you are lower priced then the next company.

Not accepting bids? then move on....

[KDLAWN]

I have just been trying to get some bigger commercial properties.. just wondering what the secret is to getting them. or have a chance at getting them.

[Runner]

Just go in and tell them that you will give them more service(s) than they are getting now, and at a cheaper price than they are paying now...That's what they are all looking for. Even with the existing lawn companies they have,...they are always wanting more for less money. And always be ready...I mean ALWAYS be ready to move on at a moments notice, because these management companies (and apt. complexes) will throw you under the bus and sell you down the river to save 20 bucks a month - in a New York minute!

[Bunton Guy]

Not accepting bids? then move on....

Haven't found one yet! I've got a binder with pages & pages of property management companies & apartment complex management companies.....maybe I would say 100+ phone numbers.

I call all of them every 3 months and have only gotten one bid out of all the companies. Every single one is either on vacation everytime we call, not interested, take me off your calling list, we like who we have, were not looking for any new vendors, we have one company that does all our properties etc.....

[g21]

KD,
You don't have to be big or be the cheapest to make a good impression with large management companies. But you do have to Think Big! PR's are systems oriented. They love communication, both with themselves and the communities they represent. Things like weekly management reports and monthly walk-throughs will win browine points in your presentation. But the single most important thing that will win their hearts is "Time On The Property." Devise a way of breaking your detail hours into smaller-more frequent visits. Combine that with maybe some visits in the winter when most contractors won't even be on their properties. Even if it's just for a drive-thru to pickup fallen limbs.

Today, property managers are really stressed and they have more properties to handle with fewer bodies. The more you are on their properties the better. Just get creative on dividing up the allocated number of manhours you are proposing - you'll see, it will make a difference!

Good luck and let me know if I can help you with anything.
Tommy

[Stillwater]

Haven't found one yet! I've got a binder with pages & pages of property management companies & apartment complex management companies.....maybe I would say 100+ phone numbers.

I call all of them every 3 months and have only gotten one bid out of all the companies. Every single one is either on vacation everytime we call, not interested, take me off your calling list, we like who we have, were not looking for any new vendors, we have one company that does all our properties etc.....



I will PM you a course of action for this situation.

[FYS777]

KD,
You don't have to be big or be the cheapest to make a good impression with large management companies. But you do have to Think Big! PR's are systems oriented. They love communication, both with themselves and the communities they represent. Things like weekly management reports and monthly walk-throughs will win browine points in your presentation. But the single most important thing that will win their hearts is "Time On The Property." Devise a way of breaking your detail hours into smaller-more frequent visits. Combine that with maybe some visits in the winter when most contractors won't even be on their properties. Even if it's just for a drive-thru to pickup fallen limbs.

Today, property managers are really stressed and they have more properties to handle with fewer bodies. The more you are on their properties the better. Just get creative on dividing up the allocated number of manhours you are proposing - you'll see, it will make a difference!

Good luck and let me know if I can help you with anything.
Tommy

with this I agree!!!

[topsites]

I want to stress that there is a BIG difference between a property manager,
that is, a person that the property's association has chosen... No!
The proper term is 'elected' to manage the property, meaning that person is usually also a tenant there...
This person gets no direct financial benefit from the company servicing the property, meaning they do not get a cut of the bid,
however, their position within the association (which is usually voted upon) likely depends on them (and hence you) doing a good job.
This guy is the direct contact, he or she may not write the check that goes to pay you, but they can usually make it happen
and in terms of getting paid, this person is interested in seeing that you do at least as much as he/she is interested in everything
else going well, this person wants peace and quiet and a nice looking place, enough said.

And a property management company, who simply signs up so many properties under one roof but who has/have no actual
physical interaction with the property at hand, in at least a few cases they've never even seen it other than perhaps in pictures.
These guys are middlemen, meaning they get paid first, they then hopefully pay you.
They take a cut of the bid, certainly they are interested that all goes smooth because in the long run their company's survival could
depend on it, on the other hand one bad experience for them is not that big of a deal.

......
As a general rule, and as per my experience?
Two things apply, one don't call them, let them call you!
And two, it is usually the President of the Association who will be doing the calling, much like with
HOA's more than a few commercial properties are handled in a similar manner.

You could try, I suppose, walking into the association's office and simply drop off a business card with the secretary,
might mention you would probably be interested in submitting a bid if it comes around your way.

And gfl lol

[KDLAWN]

if i wait on them to contact me I will never get a call... doesnt make much sense for me to wait on them to call me, does it????