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Tools That Can Make You Easy Money

Tools That Can Make You Easy Money

Tools that help you earn a living without using much energy or brain power is what I like to call “easy money tools”. Lots of guys don’t like their job because they’re working with the wrong tools. Trying to pry a stuck garbage disposal loose with a flat-head screwdriver is…

Having An EPA Card Doesn’t Make You An HVAC Technician

Having An EPA Card Doesn’t Make You An HVAC Technician

Okay folks, it’s time to address a falsehood that’s been spreading through the apartment industry faster than a crop duster’s fart at Disney World. I’ve been hearing it since I started in the business 15 years ago. And the legend goes like this: “You need to take the EPA class…

9 Things That Will Make You An Unlikable Maintenance Technician

9 Things That Will Make You An Unlikable Maintenance Technician

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…

DEALING WITH WORK RELATED BURNOUT

DEALING WITH WORK RELATED BURNOUT

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 BENEFITS OF KEEPING YOUR MAINTENANCE SHOP STOCKED

THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING YOUR MAINTENANCE SHOP STOCKED

I’ve been on both sides of this issue. I’ve dealt with shops that had the bare minimum to work with and shops that had more than enough to work with. Needless to say, working in a skeleton shop annoys the piss out of me. Early in my maintenance career I…

HOW TO HANDLE WORKING WITH A HIDER

HOW TO HANDLE WORKING WITH A HIDER

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…

Should The Property Management Company Buy Your Tools

Should The Property Management Company Buy Your Tools

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…

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT HOUSING TURN

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT HOUSING TURN

August. Even though I haven’t worked in student housing for 6 years, just looking at that month on a calendar still spikes my anxiety. The 16 hour work days, Monday through Sunday, for 3 weeks. The 100 U-Hauls jockeying for position. Parents hollering at the office staff claiming that their…

THE MAINTENANCE MAN MYTH

THE MAINTENANCE MAN MYTH

Ah yes. The lowly maintenance man that doesn’t know anything. Usually a shady, filthy looking, lazy, Jerry-rigging hack that fixes very little in between his naps. Am I right? Nope. Actually dead wrong! I’m not sure when this happened, but there seems to be a stigma tied to the maintenance…