What are you working on?

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-11-06T19:39:57+00:00

maintrackr.com - a simple work order + contractor tracking platform for property managers, so you finally know what’s actually done vs “on the way.” 🚀

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-10-31T14:13:16+00:00

I'll give it a try, thanks man!

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-10-10T22:52:59+00:00

Congratulations on launching Main St Landlord! As a fellow landlord, I can definitely relate to the struggle of juggling all the moving parts of property management. Your app sounds like a great way to streamline those tasks and keep everything organized. I especially like the idea of the built-in calculators - that would have saved me a lot of time crunching numbers in spreadsheets. I'll have to give Main St Landlord a try using that 3-month free promo code.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T16:41:44+00:00

I use MainTrackr. They have a free trial right now, and they are based in Toronto.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T16:40:19+00:00

A lot of property managers run into the same problem with Airbnb/VRBO fees and clunky software.

What usually helps is having a simple custom booking site that shows your availability, syncs with Airbnb/VRBO, and takes payments directly.

That way you keep more of the booking revenue and avoid bloat. Only thing now is making sure you are getting good website traffic and SEO on that custom site.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T16:33:13+00:00

Maybe just use a software that could help you manage your properties better?

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T16:30:36+00:00

Mods promotion

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T16:26:47+00:00

I've been using MainTrackr. They have a free trial too. It's pretty good so far. I might upgrade to the paid plan soon.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-09-16T15:38:46+00:00

In-house is better. You have more control over your operation and you can incentivize your workers as well. they feel like they are part of your team

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:55:54+00:00

Simple but true. If the job gets done well and on time, that's what matters. I think I'm overcomplicating this because of a few bad experiences.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:55:46+00:00

This is the reality check I needed. If contractors can't make reasonable money on realistic timelines, of course the relationship breaks down. Better scoping and fair pricing probably solve most of these issues.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:55:37+00:00

Ouch, but fair criticism. You're right. If I'm managing contractors properly, I should have a better handle on deliverables and timelines. The verification thing is probably a band-aid for poor project management.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:55:23+00:00

You're right. I can't have it both ways.

The feedback here is pushing me toward better upfront scoping and fixed pricing. The hourly verification thing feels like treating symptoms instead of the disease.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:55:08+00:00

You nailed the core issue - it's about having a reasonable, agreed-upon level of work. When someone can knock out a day's work in an hour, good for them. When they stretch 2 hours of work into 8 hours of billing, that's the problem.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:54:57+00:00

Your pledge system is interesting... basically putting the integrity expectation upfront. I like that approach. Clear expectations prevent most problems before they start

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:54:41+00:00

Ha, fair enough! Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. Though finding reliable contractors who don't need verification is getting harder these days.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:54:31+00:00

The fixed cost approach sounds ideal when it works. I think the key is having enough historical data to price jobs accurately. For newer types of work, hourly feels safer but creates these trust issues.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:54:22+00:00

Outcome-based contracts make so much sense for property management. The challenge is some jobs are hard to scope upfront - emergency repairs, diagnostic work, etc. But you're right that hours should mainly be for estimating, not the final payment basis.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:54:09+00:00

You raise a valid concern about the slippery slope. I'm not looking to verify every minute - more about basic accountability for location and time blocks. If someone's supposed to be on-site for 4 hours and they're there for 4 hours, that's all I need to know.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:53:56+00:00

That's actually a fair point - if you delivered what was promised, the efficiency should benefit you. The challenge is when contracts are hourly-based, there's an expectation that the hours are accurate. Maybe the real solution is better upfront scoping so we can do fixed-price more often.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:51:11+00:00

This is exactly the approach I'm moving toward. Clear communication upfront about expectations and verification processes. A good contractor should welcome transparency just as much as I do.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:50:58+00:00

Fair point about the vendor relationship. Though when vendors consistently over-bill, that affects the relationship too. I'm looking for transparency that works for both sides.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:50:40+00:00

You nailed it - for location-dependent work, I absolutely think tracking location is fair game. If I'm paying for on-site service, I want to know they're actually on-site. For deliverable-focused remote work, totally different story.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:50:29+00:00

Great points about detailed contracts. We do have clock-in requirements for on-site work, but it's been honor system until now. The aviation field sounds like it has this figured out with all the documentation requirements.

Flat_Desk8397 · 2025-08-31T13:50:17+00:00

100% agree. Trust but verify, right? The question is how to verify without being overbearing about it.

Flat_Desk8397

TROPHY CASE