While finding a contractor or a vendor in Santa Rosa was once as easy as making a phone call or sending an email, things have become a lot more complicated. Thanks to a high demand for contracting work and a labor shortage that shows no immediate signs of being solved, real estate investors are finding that they cannot take for granted that they’ll have a long list of preferred vendors who can help them maintain and improve their properties.
How can you find reliable contractors and service providers in Santa Rosa?
We’re sharing some resources, but there’s something important you need to know: vendors and contractors in this area can choose which projects they want to work on and which they’d rather avoid. You have to make sure that you’re giving them a very good reason to work with you.
Referrals are a Great Resource: Ask Around
One of the best ways to find trustworthy contractors and service providers for your rental property is to ask other landlords and real estate investors in your network. Ask around at local real estate investment clubs, or even post on social media to see if anyone knows of a good plumber, electrician, or handyman. Personal recommendations from fellow rental property owners can be invaluable, as they come with first-hand experience of working with the contractor or vendor.
Reputation is critical; it’s how many professionals earn new business. So, the best place to start searching for the best local contractors is recommendations from people you trust. If you’re not in touch with other landlords and investors, expand your request for referrals to friends, family members, neighbors, and people you work with.
When you’re looking for help with a particular task, such as roofing or an addition to your investment property, talk to people who have had that type of work done before.
If you’re not already working with a Santa Rosa property management company, this is a great time to form that partnership. When you have a property manager on your team who is locally connected, finding contractors, vendors, and service providers is not a problem. Either your property manger will have a talented in-house team who can help you or they’ll have relationships in place already that you can leverage when your property needs work.
Check Contractor Review Websites
Another great resource for finding contractors and vendors is online review websites. Sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor allow you to read reviews from other customers and even see ratings on things like punctuality and professionalism.
Use these websites to search for contractors and vendors in your area, and be sure to read plenty of reviews before making your final decision.
Remember that people like to complain more than they like to praise. If you see one or two bad reviews online, that doesn’t necessarily have to mean that you won’t want to work with the contractor. What’s important is how they respond to those bad reviews. Is there a professional response? If so, that’s a good sign. You don’t necessarily want to work with a contractor who is willing to get into a dramatic fight online.
Review sites can be helpful, but be discerning about the reviews that you’re reading. Take some time to research the online reputation of a contractor or a service provider before you decide to work with them or cross them off your list as a potential partner for your project.
In addition to review websites, check out online directories. There are a variety of online platforms that can help you find contractors and vendors for your Santa Rosa rental property. Sites like Thumbtack, HomeAdvisor, and Houzz allow you to search for contractors and vendors by location and service. Some directories even allow you to book appointments directly through their website, saving you time.
Search Within Professional Associations
As Santa Rosa property managers, we belong to the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). When a local owner or landlord is looking for a property management partner, they might go to the local NARPM chapter and ask for recommendations.
The same type of referral system exists for contractors, builders, and design professionals. Plumbers and landscapers can also belong to and participate in professional organizations, and these associations can be helpful in putting you in touch with local workers who can complete the projects you need.
Many contractors and vendors are members of professional associations, such as the National Association of Home Builders or the National Kitchen & Bath Association. By reaching out to these associations, you can get in touch with contractors and vendors who are committed to maintaining a high standard of quality and professionalism.
This is an excellent resource for finding local professionals because when they belong to such associations, you know that they value professional development and ongoing learning. They’re staying in touch with their industry’s best practices and latest technologies, and they’re continuing to educate themselves on how to deliver high quality services.
Follow Relevant Social Media Sites
If you’re like most people, you have a love/hate relationship with social media. Maybe you love keeping up with the photos and updates that you see from friends and family who are far away, but you don’t love the constant animosity and divisiveness that social media tends to encourage.
Think about using social media as a business platform. You’ll find that when you narrow what you’re looking at and scrolling through, there are some great resources, especially when you’re renting out a home.
Facebook groups are likely to help you locate great contractors and service providers. Conversations can be opened on what to look for, who to talk to, and where to find professional services that are both reliable and affordable.
Make sure you’re present on these sites and using them to your advantage.
How to Know You’re Hiring a Good Contractor
You don’t want to hire a contractor or a service provider just because they’re available and willing to do the work. This is your investment property that they’ll be working on, and you want to make sure you’re protecting its condition and value. Do some screening and get to know the people who will be working there. Make sure you’re a right fit for them and that their way of doing business aligns with what you need.
Some of the questions you’ll want to ask a contractor before hiring them include:
- How long have you been in business?
- How much experience do you have with the specific kind of work that’s needed?
- Do you have professional references or work samples that can be reviewed?
- Do you work with subcontractors, and if so, how do you choose them?
Make sure the right licensing and insurance is in place. You don’t want to put yourself or your property at risk by working with unlicensed contractors. If someone without worker’s compensation insurance gets hurt while working at your property, you could find yourself liable for their medical bills, lost wages, and other claims. This is not a great way to do business. Ask for proof of insurance.
Be clear about your expectations. Talk about communication and how you can expect to be updated on the progress of your project. Will your contractor check in with you every day that work is being performed? Will they send a written summary?
While you’re looking for a trusted contractor and service provider, remember that the trust must work in both directions. As we said at the beginning of this blog, contractors and service providers can be selective about what they do and where they work. Make sure you’re meeting their expectations as well. Avoid micromanaging your roofer, your flooring installation company, and your landscapers. But, have honest and transparent conversations about what you need from them and what you expect in terms of punctuality and budget.
Budget will often be a big source of tension for rental property owners and investors. Prices have probably gone up a lot since the last time you hired a contractor. Make sure you’re putting together a reasonable budget, otherwise you’ll have a very hard time finding anyone to do the work.
Finding the right contractors and vendors for your rental property can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining your property and keeping your tenants happy. Whether you rely on personal recommendations, online resources, or your Santa Rosa property management company, it can feel like there are a limited number of options available to help you find the best contractors and vendors for your needs. However, when you can access the right resources, you can find the best contractors.
Having relationships in place with professionals who you will need for your investment properties on a regular basis is a good way to ensure you can access excellent maintenance services going forward.
If you have any questions or if you need some referrals of your own, please contact us at Prestige Real Estate & Property Management. We manage rental homes in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.
