Maintenance Coordination Cost
Foursquare charges a flat $45 Maintenance Coordination Cost (MCC)on each work order when a vendor is dispatched.
Benefits of our maintenance coordination service include:
Higher Tenant Retention - Besides normal life progression or a life-changing event, the #1 reason tenants move from one rental to another is because of maintenance issues with their existing landlords. Happy tenants = longer-term tenancy, lower turnover costs, lower vacancy, and more.
Detailed Invoices - Invoices are now more detailed, including PM notes and recommendations, and are available in real time on your Owner Portal.
Tenant-Caused Damage - Each invoice is reviewed by the property manager and maintenance team. When tenant-caused damage is found, Foursquare passes through the expense of the repair to the tenant. Think GI Joe in a toilet.
Dedicated Maintenance Team - We have more team members in the maintenance department than ever before, who are dedicated to troubleshooting and resolving issues before we ever bother you or dispatch a vendor.
Photos before and after - We now require our preferred vendors to provide photos before and after when applicable. This empowers our team to make an informed decision when solving maintenance issues.
Better Vendors - We spend countless hours each year vetting vendors to ensure they meet the Foursquare standards to ensure they stand behind their work.
Better Pricing - Vendors and contractors give Foursquare preferential pricing because of the volume of work we give them.
Property Evaluations - We now have a full-time property evaluator who completes walk-through evaluations of your investment property frequently and generates detailed reports, looks for lease issues, and more.
Reduced Management Fees - Rather than bumping up our management fees on every door we manage in order to support the demands and workload of additional help, we chose to offset the cost by only charging those properties that require additional time and resources of our maintenance team to adequately manage the maintenance of their property.
Stored Conversations and Work Order History - Great benefit when selling your home or needing to review work order history. Want to depreciate a remodel or appliance. Yeah, we got that covered.
Foursquare’s Work Order Process
1. Receive Work Order - Via Tenant Portal, Text, Email, Phone
2. Troubleshoot - Maintenance hotline is managed 24/7 by trained professionals who perform a detailed Q&A to eliminate the need for a call out or diagnose the problem to the extent that the attending technician will be prepared.
3. Create Work Order - Set up work order in our Property Management software system.
4. Research - Check for warranty information or owner-specific vendor instructions. Look at the history of the home to ensure this isn't recurring.
5. Select and Contact Vendor - Give a detailed scope of work. Find the best vendor for the least amount of money that is available to do the work.
6. Coordinate - Service appointment between vendor & tenant.
7. Review - Work order with the onsite technician (discuss options & culpability)
8. Verify - Work order has been completed (review photos, updated systems, follow up with vendors and tenants)
FAQs
When is the fee not charged?
- Turnover Process - Turnovers are considered projects and are subject to 10% Project Coordination. That includes carpet cleaning, general cleaning, general maintenance, painting, and other items typically done when preparing a home for rent.
- Ongoing Landscaping - No charge.
- Pest Control - No charge.
- Recurring work orders, such as the HVAC Preventive Maintenance Program.
When is this fee charged?
Typically, this fee is charged when work is completed and verified.
What's included in the fee?
Extensive troubleshooting with tenants and fielding questions 24/7/365.
How much will this cost me?
On average, approximately 4 work orders are created each year. So the total Maintenance Coordination Cost is about $185 per year. Working with a bad vendor or failing to inspect the property can cost $1000s in damage.
How does the Fee show up on my Owner Statement?
The full invoice and notes are uploaded to your Owner Portal as soon as the invoice is received from the vendor. The MCC is included in the total invoice.
What if I have a major remodel or larger peril involving multiple vendors and insurance claims?
Foursquare will still facilitate major renovation coordination. Coordinating major remodels and or facilitating insurance claims are outside the normal scope of property management and are subject to 10% upcharge.
Bottom Line: Yes, we charge a $45 Maintenance Coordination Cost when a vendor is dispatched—but here’s the thing: even with that cost, you still come out ahead. Because of the volume of work we send their way, our vetted vendors give us rates well below market, which means you’re often paying less overall than if you handled it on your own. Plus, you get the added benefit of 24/7 troubleshooting, oversight, and accountability, so the job is done right the first time. It’s peace of mind and long-term savings rolled into one.