Picking Repair Contractors for Rental Leases

by Danny Hamburg
(Los Angeles, CA)

Are you looking for a dependable repairman or contractor for your rental leases? Having hired more than 10 different repair contractors, I can tell you that they can be anything from a highly skilled professional to an outright scammer so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.

I have discovered that the quickest way to find reliable contractors is to ask for recommendations from other landlords and property managers. The more picky and fussy that person is, the better repairman should turn out to be.

Another advantage is that you can inspect the quality of their repair work for yourself by taking a quick look at your friend or fellow landlord's rental property.

If you don't have anyone to give you recommendations and references, then you should approach at least 3 different contractors for a cost estimate.

More importantly, ask them what they think is wrong and how they are going to fix it. The quality and detail of their answer will often give you an idea of their skill level. Reliable contractors charging cheap rates are few and far between so I will usually stick to them once I find them.