I once took a fishing trip where I brought along food that I liked and put it on the hook. I enjoyed cheeseburgers so why wouldn’t the fish? I also had a little chocolate cake and half of a burrito for my hook. Cast after cast I caught nothing.…
It’s Going to Take Years for Maintenance Techs to Return. Be Patient!
“You don’t have a choice!” That’s what was said to me the first time I left the property management industry. I was a veteran maintenance tech and had been with the company for 8 years. Yet, I was still being talked to like a dog. What was the infraction you…
Tools that Maintenance Technicians Can Do Most Work Orders With
As a tool addict, writing this truth hurts me deeply. And that truth is, maintenance technicians can do 75% of work orders with very little tools. So, as I look out into my garage at a bin overflowing with tools still in the package that I may need one day,…
Maintenance Appreciation Gift Ideas for Maintenance Techs
Saying “Thank you” to your maintenance team for watching over the multi-million dollar investment doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some maintenance appreciation ideas. I’ve been a maintenance technician for almost 20 years and I’m going to share with you gifts that I love getting. The gifts that I’ll…
Essential Tools for New Maintenance Technicians
So, you just got promoted to maintenance technician. Welcome aboard! Now, let’s get you outfitted with the right tools. You would think that this wouldn’t be an issue but, new techs showing up to their new handyman job with no tools is very common. I want to make sure this…
Advice for New Maintenance Technicians
So, you just got bumped up from porter to maintenance technician. Or, you just scored a new job as a maintenance technician. First of all, congratulations! Now, lets make sure you start off on the right foot so that you don’t annoy the hardened maintenance techs around you. There are…
Tools That Can Make You Easy Money
Tools that help you earn a living without using much energy or brain power is what I like to call “easy money tools”. Lots of guys don’t like their job because they’re working with the wrong tools. Trying to pry a stuck garbage disposal loose with a flat-head screwdriver is…
Swimming Pool Maintenance Training Course For Maintenance Techs
You’re having a fantastic day at work when suddenly your phone buzzes an alert. It’s your property manager letting you know that you’ve just been signed up to take a swimming pool training course. It’s a company requirement that all maintenance technicians have their CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certification. Suddenly,…
There Is No Perfect Property
People often ask, “Lex, what’s the perfect property to work at?” And my answer is always, “There is no perfect property. When you go to another property nothing changes but the names and the faces.” So take it from me, someone who has worked at two dozen properties and has…
Are Property Managers Really On Call 24/7/365?
I’m not sure what it is, but hearing a property manager gloat that she or he is on call 24/7/365 always takes 2 millimeters off of my back molars. When I come in to work the next morning and explain that I’m a little tired because I got an emergency…