Tips from Our Contractor
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We are lucky enough to have a general contractor who has been a part of our team for over 15 years.
This week on the podcast, we will be discussing all of the tips our contractor, Jim, has shared that have helped us stay on top of inspections, preventative maintenance, and what to know about hiring general contractors.
We share real-life experiences from our rental properties and offer practical tips to help self-managing landlords find reliable, skilled contractors for their maintenance and renovation projects. From hiring a licensed general contractor to ensuring they hold proper insurance coverage; this episode covers everything you need to know to protect your investment and maintain tenant satisfaction.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why using a licensed general contractor is crucial for safety and compliance
✅ Where to find reputable contractors and get multiple estimates
✅ The difference between being an additional insured vs. an interested party
✅ How to handle tenant communication during renovations
✅ Why detailed contracts and written agreements are essential
✅ Tips for working around tenant schedules and minimizing disruptions
✅ How routine inspections help prevent costly repairs
✅ Key maintenance tips learned from years of working with contractors
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Stacie and Kevin highlight the importance of working with experienced professionals like their trusted contractor, Jim, who ensures all work meets building codes and legal requirements.
🔹 Learn how to vet contractors by checking licenses, insurance, and references, plus why it’s essential to get everything in writing.
🔹 Communication is key—whether it’s setting clear expectations with your contractor or keeping tenants informed about upcoming maintenance or repairs.
🔹 Take advantage of tenant vacancies to complete larger projects and avoid inconveniencing current renters.
🔹 Routine inspections can help landlords catch potential issues early. Stacie and Kevin share how Jim walks through their units, checking for leaks, unauthorized pets, and cleanliness issues that could lead to pests.
🔹 Smart maintenance practices like regular garbage disposal use, timely water line replacements, and proper appliance management can save landlords thousands in repairs.
🔹 Labeling breaker boxes and paint colors behind switch plates can save time and money during repairs and touch-ups.
🔹 When remodeling, simple upgrades like reinforcing toilet paper holders with wood backing can prevent future issues.
Resources & Free Downloads:
📌 Watch our DIY Garbage Disposal Fix Video & Insinkerator Garbage Disposal Universal Wrench
📌 Link to Newsletter to see before and after floor photos
📌 KwikSet Rekey Set & YouTube How to Video
📌 Porc-A-Fix Porcelain Sink Repair & How We Repaired Our Sink Video
📌 Check out the kitchen faucet we use
📌 Watch our video on reinforcing TP holders
📌 Listen to Episode 4 for more on inspections
📌 Learn about rental reserves in Episode 28
Connect with Us:
🌎 Visit our website
📧 Subscribe to our newsletter.
👆Click this LINK to select from our FREE Landlord Forms and Doc’s
🤳Text Us SMS text to 650-489-4447. We love questions and love letters, hate mail not so much!
📩Email us at: [email protected], [email protected]
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Landlord Insider is a newsletter produced by Your Landlord Resource with rental property tips, landlord specific articles, and podcast links.Read more - Strengthening Policies, Procedures, and Written Communication
Tip of the Week Start the landlord – tenant relationship off on the right foot. When tenants move in, there is stress, chaos, and it's hard for them to find basic necessities. Our small token of appreciation is left on the kitchen counter to greet them and let them know we appreciate them as a tenant. While we include snacks, we also include items we want them to use in the unit. Our welcome basket includes: a blue sponge with a note asking them not to use the green abrasive ones, touch up…Read more
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