Choosing Contractors for Your HOA
If the ground hog was right last month, Spring is just around the corner. With that comes warm-weather maintenance projects. When selecting vendors for your projects, keep some of these tips in mind: Hire Licensed, Bonded and Insured Vendors It should go without saying, but it is important to hire ONLY licensed, bonded and insured contractors. When vendors have these things in place, your HOA is protected in the event of property damage or injury. Remember to verify that vendors maintain workers’ compensation and general liability. Also, it’s good practice to have bidders clarify what portions of their proposed services will be subcontracted when they submit a proposal. If a subcontractor will perform work, they should be subject to the same requirements as the prime contractor. Bonding may not be necessary for all work, but requiring a bond is a good way of insuring that you are dealing with a reputable contractor. Written Vendor Contracts Having written contracts in place when hiring a vendor will help protect the HOA. A written agreement should contain the scope of work, the timeline in which work needs to be performed, price to be paid for the work, contract termination options, methods of payment, how breaches of the contract will be addressed, warranties, indemnification of the community association for any damages brought about by the vendor during the course of the work, and a clause that makes the vendor responsible for compliance with all regulatory entities. Develop a Clear Scope of Work The first step in establishing a regular service contract or in starting a project should be establishing a Scope of Work. The Scope of Work can be used as part of a Request for Proposal process and then can be incorporated into a contract that is awarded. A clear Scope of Work also allows the Board to effectively compare pricing based on apples-to-apples service. Vendor References Check with references before hiring a vendor. Look for their online reviews. Google and Yelp can tell the story before you even speak to a vendor. The Better Business Bureau will also have a clear rating of the contractor to help in making your decision. Competitive Bid Process Always get at least a comparison quote if not at least 3 quotes through a competitive bid process. This will guarantee the best deal for the association. If you have a full-service management agreement with Sharper Management, your community manager can help you with this process. Have a wonderful Spring season.
Announcing the New Resident Center App
Sharper Management is excited to announce the new Resident Center mobile app powered by our software system, Buildium! A new mobile app made specifically for you and your members. Resident Center is designed with simplicity in mind. Homeowners can make payments, submit maintenance requests, contact your property manager and more–with just a few taps. The features available vary based on the permissions granted, but some of the key features are: One-time and recurring online dues payments Maintenance requests with photo attachments Announcements, texting, and other communication features Ability to provide proof of insurance coverage (when required) Access to governing documents As the Board, you are also able to access the financial reports and other documents. Be sure to check it out!
Sharper Management Expands Condominium Management Contracts in St. Paul, MN
April 23, 2019 — Sharper Management, a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company located in Eden Prairie, MN has recently been brought on board to manage the Hague Commons Condominium Association in St. Paul, MN. Sharper Management’s ability to customize financial-only management contract was one of the key factors in the associations decision to bring Sharper on board. Known for their professionalism and transparency, Sharper Management manages several other HOAs in the area including Dakota on the Park in the Lowertown area of DT St. Paul. “We’re excited about our growing presence in St. Paul,” states Dan Cunningham, Partner and Managing Broker. “Our clients truly appreciate our ability to tailor services to their specific needs. This flexibility along with the exceptional and reliable property management services we offer is continuing to be a deciding factor in many local association’s choice to hire Sharper. We’re happy to grow with our clients and help board members throughout the area.” Known for their reliable and committed approach to services for condominium and townhome associations in Minnesota, Sharper Management specializes in providing exceptional property management solutions. Offering a full-suite of premier services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area, Sharper Management continues to expand their service area and look forward to building more new relationships throughout the Twin Cities.