Property maintenance fees for ac turnup and gutter clearning?

Question

I got a message from my Property management that they will be doing a "spring maintenance". They are charging $250. They say they are doing gutter cleaning and ac tune-ups.  Just wondering if this was a normal thing that property management charges and if they are around the same price? I am located in Kansas City market.

Mike D'Arrigo · Answer

@James Ong I would want to know what the AC "tune up" consists of.

Rich Kniss · Answer

@James Ong, our PM does something similar at the same price. Its the make ready costs that are harder to swallow. I plan to let them do the maintenance in the future, but handle the make ready stuff myself.

Robin Hunter · Answer

The price doesn't sound horrible. When I pay for gutter cleanings, price ranges from $65-100 depending who I use and if its one or two story. I don't know how extensive the AC tune-up is that they provide, but to keep the AC working well year after year, and get the gutters cleaned out so water doesn't run into your foundation, I think that is reasonable.

John Warren · Answer

@James Ong this is always the issue with 3rd party management. Since management is such a log margin business they have to make extra money on the maintenance. $250 is a lot, but are they also recharging the ac? If so, that might not be as bad.

As others have stated, to some extent you can find your own vendors even when you have "professional" management. The issue with this is that it is hard to keep an eye on the work quality if you are out of state, and it sort of defeats the purpose of professional management.

Jonathan W. · Answer

@James Ong that sounds expensive for that amount of work.

When someone else flips the bill they won’t go looking for affordable rates. Or they take from the top but either way, see if you can outsource those jobs yourself and send them a receipt.

Lynnette E. · Answer

I pay more like $60 for gutter cleaning up to 2 stories, and $80 for air conditioning/heating tune ups.  This is in TN, same soc/economic as KC I would think.  I think you can beat that price easy!

Reggie Maggard · Answer

I live in the KC area and I am very un-impressed with property management services around here. They sound affordable and then gouge you with 'maintenance and repairs'. I personally handle it myself but it requires more phone calls and texting. Once you have your vendors in place its easy to self manage.