So Cal G.C. looking for tips on getting clients

Started by GeorgeG • 6 replies • 1232 views

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GeorgeG (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

I'm getting into the HOA repairs and maintenance business and need advice on the following topics:

1-What are the required insurance limits.

2-How would I best approach a potential client.

3-Where would I most easily find lists of associations.

4-What is the going hourly rate billed at.

5-What organizations should I look into for HOA information.

I've done alot of HOA work as a subcontractor for other contractors and have seen nothing but disregard and carelessness in how the contractors conducted their business. I've implemented a system to track each work order or project with great presision. My system forces communication through spreadsheets for clients and phone discussions with homeowners as well as a mandatory 24 hour responce for each call. All communication is logged daily and each job is documented with pictures. Mis-communication and time that it takes to complete a job was pathetic for every HOA contractor I've worked for. I'm certain I'll have no problem succeding once I get started after seeing what I have. I just need to know the most effective way to get on HOA vendor lists. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. George Gladwell [email protected]

JosephW (Michigan)
Posts: 882

Posted:

Since you're in SoCal, start with the two major organizations in your area:

California Association of Community Managers (www.cacm.org)
Local CAI Chapters (go to www.caionline.org and click on "Chapters" - find the local ones)

Contact 2 or 3 of the management companies and ask for their vendor requirements. Most will have a standardized package reqiring insurance and licensing minimums. Each state is different and I know workers comp is critical in your location.

Lists of associations are hard or impossible to come by in most states, but both CACM and CAI have trade shows where you can meet the managers and many association board members. I think CACM's is in July and is usually very large.

You'll want to get your foot in the door with the management companies. They are constantly looking for companies they can trust to the job contracted.

Sorry, don't know anything about the rates in CA.

Joe

Joseph West
Official HOATalk.com Sponsor
Community Associations Network, LLC
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GeorgeG (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

Thanks Joe.

admin
Posts: 24

Posted:

Posted By JosephW on 03/04/2007 12:52 PM

Lists of associations are hard or impossible to come by in most states, but both CACM and CAI have trade shows where you can meet the managers and many association board members.

If you want CA Boards to know about you then sponsor HOATalk.com (see www.HOATalk.com/sponsor or click our serivce directory link). We are now one of the largest groups of community associations in the country and CA is our 2nd largest state in terms of number of members. Many associations are self managed so they don't hire via management companies.

The sponsors help keep this site going and we appreicate all the support we can get.

GeorgeG (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

I am very impressed with your webisite and am certain it's a great help to the HOA community. I appreciate your advice and will look into your suggestions. As far as sponsoring your cause, that will be determined by the response and help I recieve from your members. It appears that the majority of your members concerns are reguarding the few inept management companies that discrace the professional majority. I assumed contractor disputes would be mentioned more. By what I've read there should be be more stringent contingincies placed on management companies to weed out the bad seeds. Definately more time should be spent on the decision process of picking board members. Obviously it's an easy position for a dishonest person to take advantage of of a great deal of other peoples money. Thanks, George Gladwell [email protected]

JM2 (Oregon)
Posts: 439

Posted:

Hi George:

First of all, best of luck in your new venture. You sound like you would make a good community manager! If you talk to people in some managment companies and they find your work to be good/competent/good value, then chances are you'll soon have more business than you can handle.

Check out the CAI chapters in SoCal as well as CACM. But, if you've worked in some HOA's there and know some of the residents, call them and find out who their management company is, and if they will make an introduction to their manager (if you haven't run across the manager in the course of your work). A good recommendation from a homeowner will do a lot to get your foot into the door.

The other way to find clients is to go through your Secretary of State's website to look up non-profit corporations. A lot of times you'll find the management company's name as registered agent. You could look up places you've worked, or look for self-managed HOA's and other HOA's in your area.

Finally, if you've noted some of the other vendors who work in the HOA's (such as landscapers) they could be an avenue to linking up with management copmanies.

J. Patrick Moore, CMCA (Oregon)

GeorgeG (California)
Posts: 6

Posted:

thanks for your helpJM2

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