Marketing to condos (maintenance) - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

illuminata · 03-19-2008, 09:26 AM

So I was driving round my small city yesterday and compiled a small list of condos that have some sought of landscape lighting. Basically there are three, maybe four. Most of the lighting appears to be Vista and is in poor condition with fixtures leaning over, well lights on the surface, cables exposed etc. I don't know if they have lamps out as it was daytime when I was out but I suspect they have. I would like to approach these developments to offer our maintenance services which I for one feel they could benefit from though they may not agree. The first road block I come up against is knowing who to call, who owns these places or who is responsible for the management of them etc. How does one find out this information? There is nothing on the outside like a sign or anything. Next thing to learn is how these kinds of facilities normally maintain their outdoor lighting. Knowing this would allow one to offer a better alternative. I have approached one or two restaurants in the passed only to be rebuffed by comments like "why would I pay you to change bulbs? My bus boys can do that". Others have called us and insisted we maintain their lighting.

I am thinking the ideal package for these types of commercial facilities is an annual lamp change and overhaul and then offer free lamp changes if anything fails before the next service.

Any thoughts?

SOUTHERN LITES · 03-19-2008, 02:28 PM

Paul,

Down here in Florida usually a property management company handles all the maintenance for condos,appartments and housing developements. You may try contacting the condo manager or real estate company that deals with each particular complex and ask what property management firm handles there maintenance. You also could try the yellow pages or internet for property management companies in your local area.

Hope this helps,

illuminata · 03-19-2008, 02:58 PM

That's great info Steve, thanks.

Now, how do I find out what property management company manages any particular property? Stake it out perhaps? LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by SOUTHERN LITES

Paul,

Down here in Florida usually a property management company handles all the maintenance for condos,appartments and housing developements. You may try contacting the condo manager or real estate company that deals with each particular complex and ask what property management firm handles there maintenance. You also could try the yellow pages or internet for property management companies in your local area.

Hope this helps,

SOUTHERN LITES · 03-19-2008, 03:05 PM

Paul,
You could do that, or................you could call the management company and ask if they maintain the property at XYZ condo and if they do simply explain about the poor condition of the lighting system and how they would rather have you call them and offer your services than the manager from XYZ condo call and complain about there lack of service.

Just a thought,

**AtlanticWBConst** · 03-19-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illuminata

....The first road block I come up against is knowing who to call, who owns these places or who is responsible for the management of them etc.

This all depends on what you are seeing.

Are they Condos, owned by individuals living in them? Or are they condos/apartments owned by a larger group, rented out, and managed by another company?

In the case of large rental complexes:
Generally, the owners and the management are often separate entities. The owners may be an individual, they may be a group of investors, they may be a large realistate investment group or corporation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by illuminata

How does one find out this information? There is nothing on the outside like a sign or anything.

Generally, the staff in the office, are the ones to speak to. You could develop a letter of introduction and drop it off. Pick up a card from them, and mail one to their supervisor, their main office, or whoever. Whatever the case, the property manager is the key person to speak to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by illuminata

Next thing to learn is how these kinds of facilities normally maintain their outdoor lighting. Knowing this would allow one to offer a better alternative.

Large complexes have their own maintenance staff. There are things that they can do, there are things that they can't do.

I will say this, in order to work on large investment owned properties, mucho insurance coverage, with excess liability policies, are usually required.

BTW: I am speaking from experience, we do alot of work for investment owned properties.
In our field (General Construction and Repairs) they keep us very, very busy...I spent today at 3 different complexes reviewing information to submit 11 new estimates. The potential for business with/for them is real.

illuminata · 03-21-2008, 06:10 PM

Thanks chaps. This stuff is very helpful indeed.