So, you just got promoted to maintenance technician. Welcome aboard! Now, let’s get you outfitted with the right tools. You would think that this wouldn’t be an issue but, new techs showing up to their new handyman job with no tools is very common. I want to make sure this…
“What do you mean you can’t fix it? We pay you $16.00 an hour to know this stuff!” Folks, if anyone ever says this to you it’s time to start looking for greener pastures. First of all, $16.00 an hour to be an expert in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, appliance repair,…
9) The Boozer Sometimes as adults we come to work with a hangover. Once every year or two is life. However, “the boozer” takes it to another level. Clocking in all glassy eyed while looking like a Nick Nolte mugshot every week will get you blacklisted from the apartment industry…
Okay, there’s actually no such thing as YouTube University. That’s just what I like to call YouTube. A university because of the endless knowledge it provides for just about anything you can think of. All for free! I have mined tons of gold out of YouTube and I took those…
If you’ve hung around my blog or YouTube channel, you know that I’m passionate about apartment maintenance and finance. I know how hard we work and it breaks my heart seeing people who come to the end of their journey with nothing to show for all that hard work. The…
A quick cheat sheet! Something I’ve always wanted while on a work order in the heat of battle. Instead of having to search all over the internet for helpful charts and information, I will consolidate everything here that will give technicians quick access to what they need. You can click…
Dealing with burnout can be a real beyotch. My last bout with it was during the summer of 2010. I suddenly found myself doing things I’d never done before during my 7 years as a maintenance technician. I was scowling at residents as they walked by and rolling my eyes…
The hider. It may surprise some people how rampant and common this problem is. If you’ve worked in the apartment industry long enough then you know who I’m talking about. It’s the person that you only see when they’re clocking in and clocking out. Or, they’re standing over you blabbing…
The debate that has been going on for decades. And will continue to rage between management and maintenance techs for years to come. Should the company pay for a maintenance tech’s tools? Yes they should! Now, before you feel like putting my head in a vice let me explain. Does…
Maintenance techs who know their way around air conditioners are always in high demand in the apartment industry. You’ll pretty much have a job for the rest of your life with HVAC knowledge and skills. I enjoy HVAC work and continue learning it every day. Like my pal Steve Lav…