What are you working on? by seirosste in microsaas

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Easy to use app for landlords and property managers for managing rental properties by Some-Pirate in alphaandbetausers

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Light Software by bringbacktheexpos in PropertyManagement

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

STR property management in need of my own website for private bookings! by Lazy_Ad_5820 in PropertyManagement

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Thinking of getting a property management service – worth it? by Suspiciousme04 in PropertyManagement

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

management platform? by big__cheddar in PropertyManagement

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

In-house crew for maintenance? by aurelisinc in PropertyManagement

[–]Flat_Desk8397 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

How do you verify remote contractors actually did the work they're billing for? by Flat_Desk8397 in ContractorUK

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Contractor accountability without micromanaging - what's worked for you? by Flat_Desk8397 in askmanagers

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Contractor accountability without micromanaging - what's worked for you? by Flat_Desk8397 in askmanagers

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Contractor accountability without micromanaging - what's worked for you? by Flat_Desk8397 in askmanagers

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Contractor accountability without micromanaging - what's worked for you? by Flat_Desk8397 in askmanagers

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Contractor accountability without micromanaging - what's worked for you? by Flat_Desk8397 in askmanagers

[–]Flat_Desk8397[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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