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I'm a HABITAT writer doing an article how a co-op/condo board can create a policy and a price list for minor in-apartment work that building staff can do (fixing a cabinet door, installing an air conditioner, mounting a TV wall-bracket, that sort of thing), as an amenity/convenience that makes the staff some money and for which the co-op/condo takes a fee (or not).
If you have such a system and you'd like to help your board-member community with some practical advice, please contact me at flovece@habitatmag.com. With thanks, --Frank Lovece
Many years ago we had a handyman, but the job was phased out. Our Super/poters now do odd jobs -- on thier own time. We have compaired what we pay, and it varies greatly, so we are very interested in your artical.
My neighbor paied the Super $50 to install his new stove -- whereas the stores charge between $150-250. Most of us pay the Super between 20-30 to install the AC into the window in the summer.
Thank you, VP
This is great info, VP. If we could, I'd love to speak with you for 7 to 10 minutes, say -- and we needed't identify your building, if you don't want -- to see how this informal system works, and what the pros and cons of a formal system with a price list might be.
I can talk to all the managing agents in the world ... but without talking to you folks on the front line, with your real-world knowledge and experience of what works, day-to-day, in practicality, then I can't do other boards as much good. Please e-mail me at flovece@habitatmag.com so that I could call you and we can talk for a couple minutes for this story.
You'd be giving other board members great help. Thanks
How do you handle the liability issue of a building employee doing private work for tenants?
If an a/c/ falls out of the window or a stove gas line explodes how does the insurance company view the work that was performed?
Is your Building Super/handyman specifically insured (privately or under the building policy) to perform such tasks?
Matt,
This is an excellent question, and I am going to look into this with the Board.
Perhaps this is something Frank could explore in his artical
If we had a legal system for work in place, we could specify the jobs, and what would be covered by insurance. Our Super is a plumber -- but otherwise I dont know...
Thanks, VP
That's absolutely something the article covers. Got to hand it to our ever-astute readers to know what's needed! And while I've spoken with managing agents and attorneys for this piece, I could sure still use a board-member with first-hand, in-the-trenches experience! flovece@habitatmag.com
Charges for work: Our building has people living on fixed incomes, (now unemployment) and people who have no finincial worries... Therefore if there is a pricing list, perhaps it should list the minimun gratuity.
Gratuity? Perhaps if its called a gratuity, as oppose to payment/employment,,,this would have an impact on the Insurance question????
FL, could you post your number and I will call you... Thanks...VP
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Frank, this is a muddy area and we'll appreciate your article. Our management company advised us to have work orders but it was never clear how they were to work except for materials to be charged back to the residents, not the super's time. Thank you again.
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