Finding the Right Building Service Worker

I cannot think of a more important aspect of residential building management than finding the right Building Service Worker for a specific building and its needs. Over the last 20 years I have seen so many great Building Managers and Caretakers fail simply because they were hired for the wrong building type. The position of a Building Manager is mostly to oversee and delegate larger building complexes and the Building Caretaker position is more hands on. The problem often lies on both sides of the fence with employers and employee’s ignoring or not noticing the sometimes subtle differences of the varying positions. Great care and attention must be given in this process and more often than not, an outside third party who specializes in this area should be contracted. Choosing the right person the first time can save thousands of dollars in added expense and from setting a property back months sometimes years in worst case scenarios. Property Managers and Strata Councils alike would be well advised to contract a third party expert to assist in this area. I can remember a particular case in point where a building in Yaletown became available about every 14 months like clockwork. This can be a strong indicator that either the Strata Council or Property manager needs some assistance in the selection process.

Some fault can lie in the prospective employee as well. In some cases a Building Manager who is accustomed to mostly delegating and trade issues take a caretaking position and is now expected to complete repairs themselves. This is not to say a cross over is not possible but in most cases without expert direction and over time it doesn’t work out. It can also be a problem when a Building Caretaker accepts a Building Manager position. This position requires a strong and outgoing personality something a Building Caretaker often lacks as they tend to work alone most of the time. I can remember taking over a building and inheriting the Caretaker along with it who was 60 years old. I thought he possessed all the skills needed for a Building Manager position in large strata. He failed badly at prioritizing tasks and following up on calls and appointments with residents. When I sat down with him he told me he could not handle the extra work the resident interactions created and was tired of dealing with complaints. I was able to provide guidance and support for this Building Caretaker turned Building Manager who has worked out just fine. In most cases however, this is not possible as most Building Service Workers do not work for Thompson Caretaking Services Ltd Yet.

Thompson Caretaking Services Ltd has addressed this problem with a new approach we call (Specific Assessment Technology) or S.A.T for short. We have developed this process to assist our clients in finding just the right personnel for their residential strata. This process incorporated with conventional interviewing procedures can greatly reduce the chances for failure. The residential strata industry is growing at a rapid pace and the importance of having the right personnel is of great importance. In the new high end buildings such things as DDC (Direct Digital Control) and geothermal heating are just a couple of what Building Service Workers are responsible for monitoring. Thompson Caretaking Services Ltd takes several important steps before even beginning the interview process. We will meet with the Property Manager to determine skill set and what their specific needs will be. We can meet with Strata Council to get an idea from them their needs as well. It is not always necessary depending on the communication and trust factor between the Property Manager and Strata Council. The most important step is the building walkthrough. Having an understanding of the buildings specific needs and workload is paramount in the selection process. When all the proper steps are followed both employer and employee can enjoy a productive, long lasting relationship focused on caring for the owner’s home and investment.

Sincerely,
Michael Thompson,
President/CEO,
Thompson Caretaking Services Ltd.