In 2024, we launched our “Beyond Price & Quality” WEBSHOP series to help property managers and property management companies navigate the complexities of project management. Hundreds of property managers attended our sessions, eager to gain valuable insights and practical advice on project management for property managers.
Here’s a recap of some key takeaways from our recent sessions, designed specifically for property managers who project manage:
Session 1: Hiring the Right Contractors for Property Management Companies:
- Detailed Requirements: Provide detailed project requirements, including specific materials, to attract qualified contractors. This helps property management companies ensure quality and compliance.
- Transparency with Bidders: Communicate promptly with all bidders and be transparent about the selection process. This builds trust with contractors and strengthens relationships for property groups.
- Pre-screen your Potential Bidders: There are many online tools and resources to pre-screen contractors. Try WorkSafe BC, Avetta, ICBA, Complyworks, the BBB, and of course, Google Reviews, to name a few.
- On-Site Tender: Conduct an onsite tender meeting with your bidders, this ensures alignment, clarifies the scope of work, sets key expectations, and minimizes time spent on the bidding process.
Session 2: Effective Project Management for Property Professionals:
- Pre-Production Meeting: This key meeting, with all stakeholders, including the contractor property manager, owners, and consultant ensures that the project launches effectively.
- Weekly Meetings: Regular meetings keep projects on track and can even help reduce costs for property management companies and property groups. Implementing this project management best practice can streamline communication and improve efficiency.
- Preparing for Job Close: There are three keys to properly prepare for a job close: this in-person meeting should be scheduled one week in advance, all key stakeholders must be present, and important items remaining to close out the job are captured with deadlines and accountabilities assigned.
- Remote Job Closes: Leverage technology for remote inspections when physical access is limited, which can be beneficial for property managers overseeing multiple properties.
Session 3: Mastering Project Closeouts for Property Management Success:
- Session 1 and 2. Use our best practices for Hiring the Right Contractor and Project Management for Property Professionals to lay the groundwork for an effective job close.
- The Final 5%: Follow a structured closeout process, including inspections, a final walkthrough, and demobilization. This is essential for property managers to ensure projects are completed successfully.
- Resolving Disputes: Address challenges by bringing all parties together for on-site discussions. This helps property groups and property management companies maintain positive relationships with contractors and clients.
- Holdbacks: Understand the importance of holdbacks and when they should be released to protect the interests of property management companies and property groups.
View our Resources for Property Managers:
We’ve compiled a collection of valuable resources and tools specifically for property managers, including guides, checklists, and templates. Download them here:
- How to Select the Right Contactor Slide Deck
- Project Management Slide Deck
- The Final 5% – Master Project Slide Deck
Tools and Templates for Property Managers
Stay Tuned for More!
We’re excited to continue sharing our expertise with property managers, property groups, and property management companies in 2025!
We’ll be refreshing these topics with new and valuable content throughout 2025, so stay tuned for more expert insights and practical advice to help you manage your building projects with confidence!
