Approved quote for $140, agent paid invoice for $471

I have learned my lesson about PM recommendations on here as well. Pretty disappointing

 

I wouldn't be happy, and at a minimum PM should have asked for your permission for additional work to be done. If the contractor did it without gaining permission from the PM then I would refuse to pay it.
I am in the construction industry and we do a lot of residential repair work both insurance and private. If I ever decided to do anything outside the scope of works on the work order, I would not get paid, nor would I expect to.
It isn't legal to charge for unapproved works, and to carry out works not contracted.

 

A lot of recommendations on here are not reliable. I think best to do your own research, check reviews as best you can etc.

 

I wouldn't be happy receiving a bill tripple the approved quote.

Check your Form 6, section Q - have you authorised the PM to preform testing on your behalf? If you have authorised smoke alarm testing the PM needs to carry out according to legislation which may have included installing an additional alarm. If you have not authorised this (and some of our owners don't) we are aware of the legislation and will contact the owner to insure they are aware of their obligations under the legislation.

Smoke alarm legislation in Qld states that smoke alarms require testing yearly or at the commencement of each new lease, (ie. a six monthly lease - testing will be required twice a year) these new laws also require all expired alarms to be replaced with photoelectric alarms which will be required to be interconnected by the end of 2020. Generally smoke alarm testing yearly fees are $65-$99 per year for as many tests required. (Depending on which company you choose). However the replacement alarms used in these plans will more than likely not be the interconnectable type and will need replacing again shortly.

An electrician with charge for replacing alarms and each individual item that is replaced/supplies/installed. Sometimes it is cost effective to replace small items while there instead of attracting another call out fee, however if these are outside the quote you have approved you should question these costs. On your Form 6 what dollar amount have you agreed to for repairs & maintenance? Eg. Our Form 6 states that the "client is notified of all repairs & maintenance", others may state "up to one or two weeks for repairs"

As an investor and PM lack of communication is my pet hate, you must be very patient, I would be following up the emails with a telephone call directed at the principal. I ensure our team return all correspondence within 24 hours, even if they are working on the answer they can at the very least acknowledge your email.

Definitely ask the question!

 

It's like any purchase - always complete you due diligence. This is your money that is being spent, you are paying for a service. Look for PM's that have an owner portal that you can log in to 24/7 and get up to date information on your investment. Everything is much more transparent and you will know very quickly if you need to follow up/question.

 

It was multiple recommendations for the same PM too. I wasn't even expecting super amazing, just someone at least semi competent. Oh well, not much can be done now

 

I think they get a big head when they get lots of recommendations on here and they think they can slack off

 

This bit is concerning. The forum is becoming a one way street for the business members unlike the original SS.

Plaudits and recommendations between business members abound, whereas bad experiences and legit questions on conflict of interests, are yanked off faster than an eye blink. E.g. The apology from the PM disappeared in a flash, to minimize damage to the image (mea culpa). This was quickly followed (exclusively) by business members asking for a note of gratitude from the OP to PM for something:

• Would not have happened if proper communication was followed.
• Which was lacking in evidence by the PM (for the need of unauthorized work)
  
• Which would not have escalated if resolved in a timely fashion by the PM in spite of reminders
• Which appears dodgy (simultaneous occurrence of 4 emergencies which were hitherto unreported)

Since the business members actively use this forum as a market place to solicit business here, they should be equally willing to cop criticism and provide their side of their story.

Behind the scene manipulation just confirms ill intentions, and more importantly erodes faith in legit businesses as well neutrality of the forum.

 

Personally I'm done using any business members on here. I feel many of them think they're irreplaceable and much more valuable than they are. I don't like to be made to feel like they're doing a favour for me by me employing them. Sick of feeling like a bother whenever I need something I'm paying for actioned. My new method is word of mouth from people who don't have an agenda

 

I get what you're saying Simon but I think we're talking about different things. I'm not referring to making minor errors but major oversights/negligence such as not conducting a bond inspection (or at least supplying evidence that this has taken place after 3 requests), taking 1 week to reply to an important (I.e financial related) email or completely ignoring emails, not reporting to the owner that major appliances have been damaged and so on. If you can't master these basics then you shouldn't be in business and probably won't be after too long when word gets around. It's not like the work involves some cheap $2 items - you are managing other people's properties.

 

I could never disagree more.

As a business member I contribute a HELL of a lot of free time to guiding people. IF I get word of mouth referrals and If I get a call and If I get new business due to Propertychat it is only because of my time invested. And to do that I give more than I take...Thats how I work. I see and correct a lot is mistakes other make - I dont say who and why. It would just make me look bad.

All the business members I know here are the same. Generous with their time and knowledge and really experienced in their fields. PC and the old SS have this way of sorting the roses and the weeds. At times we see ten post wonders who appear and throw a few words around too self promote and realise its hard work. Or they post some self promoting thing that turns others off. Thats fine its what PC does. It self corrects that.

As far as my views on PMs I have seen some great ones and some shockers. I took one to the Tribunal to terminate them they were so bad. The difference between a good and bad real estate PM is one day. If the key person leaves a great PM business can become a dog. And sadly we dont know when that will happen as Simon also confirmed.

If thats your beef do something about it and share your thoughts about what you did to change the issue. The world of property ownership is never safe and smooth. Thats where PC and some shared experience helps.

 

They are actually an independent PM in their own business and charge quite a premium compared to others in the area

 

They do cop criticism when things don't go well, so businesses here (more so than businesses who aren't here) really need to do a good job in order to protect their reputation here. Sometimes its silly too, someone complaining about a process that was actually the right thing to do and other clients would rave about and yet this one person didn't like it so will whinge about it.

Quite the opposite as per above.

Exactly this ^

Please don't tarnish all with the same brush

 

They have been recommended on here but are not members AFAIK

 

I prefer PropertyChat Investment Management Performance Shake-up, or as I like to call it, PIMPS

 

Lets cut the BS....,I have been threatened with being banned a few times for giving business members curry over the truth.

Watch out is my advice, do your checks, I am experienced and plenty of shonks can trick me, so your easy pickings if not well experienced.

Check every and any recommendation is my advice, for every aspect.