Can I get my own quote to compare with my PM quote for repair & maintenance?

Hello all, I have appointed a property manager to lease out my property for the first time and some maintenance work is required to get it ready including garden cleanup. PM agreed to get 2 quotes for the garden cleanup. I thought the quotes were on the high side (about $1k) and decided to get my own quote on service central to compare, PM found out through their tradie and was upset and said I wasted their time to get quotes and has since told me to get my own tradie for other work to be done as they will no longer get quotes for me.

Just want to know (especially from property managers in this chat) is it wrong for me to get my own quote to compare? is it a case of "either or" ie either I let PM get quotes or I get myself but not both parties get quotes? Property in Melb. Appreciate advice from more experienced people here, thanks.

 

If I don't like quotes I get another to compare

 

Thanks, that's exactly what I did, but PM now refuses to arrange any further work and told me to organise my own. Are your PM ok for you to get another to compare with theirs ?

 

Getting quotes is part of a PM’s job. It’s only a phone call. Our PMs never objected to us getting other quotes, one said it helped them keep up to date with current pricing.

I’d tell the PM you expect him/her to get quotes, but if you feel they are too expensive you will get one of your own to compare.

If they won’t, it may be time for another PM.

 

what a **** PM
get rid of them

their job is to get you the best overall deal, if they are going to get butthurt because you got another quote,
sounds like they are getting a comission from them or your PM is as 15 yr old teenage girl.

I used to have a PM whose tradies were well overpriced and she knew it, as I never accepted except on rare occassions,
but she was a good pm and would still get the quotes for me without asking,

I told her and the director, if you dont want people wasting the tradies time, you'll get better quotes

 

It all depends on how it was handled. As a property manager - we do come across owners that don't like any quote you get them, and regardless will end up getting uncle bob the handyman / plumber / electrician wanna be to fix it in the end anyway. These are the ones that are frustrating for a property manager because even though we know the owner will do the work themselves, but request quotes anyway (which frustrates trades... if they've been to a house a few times then not been given the work they don't like going back again as time is money for them).

As a new client however, I can't imagine this would be the case as there's no past history of 'time wasting'. If you don't like the quotes you've been given, and in particular, it's all new to you (As is the relationship with your PM) it's perfectly reasonable to get another quote. Just try and steer away from people who have not been recommended to you as I've seen owners burnt in the past through air-tasker and the like. If you arrange your own trade, and something goes wrong, there is very little the PM can do to help you.

If you get a quote from someone that is significantly different - then give it to your PM and see if it's someone they'd consider putting on their books. Good trades are hard to find so if you find one, I personally would appreciate the recommendation as adding new trades to the list keeps the original ones on their toes so they don't get lazy and just start overcharging because the work is 'guaranteed'

Trust your gut though - if you don't think this PM is looking after your best interests, then perhaps look elsewhere. It's a bit rough telling a new client they're time wasting in the first month!

 

Get a new one

Mine was "told" recently

 

I agree with your opinion, Michelle, if the tradie gives good service and is competitive priced the agent should be using them. The tradie I got is qualified and experienced as you can view their credentials plus read the many positive customer reviews on the service central website. Thanks all for the feedback, at least I know its acceptable practice to get another quote.

 

Depends what the job is though. If its something quick or low value, they may as well be doing it while they're there rather than reporting back then revisiting.

 

This can be covered by the amount you allow the PM to spend without referring the matter to you. We set a $150 limit. Kept a close eye on any invoices to ensure it wasn’t being over-used.

 

One was $250 lower the other was about the same $1k.....but the agent didn't even ask about the quotes I got. She just didn't like the fact that I went to get my own quotes. I haven't even made a decision who to give the work to.

 

The agent was going to get me two quotes and one of their tradie quoted close to $1000 for the garden cleanup so it's not a small job.

 

Literally part of our job is to get quotes, clients get their own all the time and that's fine. Yes, sometimes it can be frustrating when you run around trying to help, but it's part of the job and I'd never say to a client that they are wasting my time - you literally pay to put food on my table!

Sometimes I love it too, something off my table and if the work isn't up to standard there's no running around on my part. Pros and cons you could say?

 

How much was your quote?

 

I

i got two quotes, one was $750, another $1000.

 

thanks Samantha, it is a relief for me to get further affirmation from someone from the profession that it is fine for clients to get their own quotes to match the agent's.

 

As a PM I totally understand that an owner wants to minimise their expenses where possible, so I welcome if they want get the own quotes as long as it doesn't upset the tenant with too much disruption and I'm comfortable with their trade's experience/qualification/licensing/insurance etc.

Sometimes its a good way to get introduced to new trades who can turn out to be really fantastic. Other times it confirms to the owner that I the current quotes are fair.

 

Yes, of course.

Keep a finger on the pulse or get bled too death.

 

Exactly

Years ago I had a plumbing issue,
I organised for a plumber Monday morning 9am
Told the pm, she acknowledges
Get a call Monday, plumber tells me the problem is fixed
I call pm, they've screwed up and sent a plumber at 10pm on Sunday night, and I've been charged almost $500 including weekend and late night fee.

Expressed my dissatisfaction and then I get told by PM, $500 Is cheap considered it was a Sunday at 10pm!

Terminated management of all my properties by COB that day