Landlord and agent guide
Choosing a Block Maintenance Contractor
The right block maintenance contractor is one that covers both planned upkeep and reactive repairs, reports clearly after every visit, can respond out of hours, and handles residents with care. Price matters, but those four things decide whether the block actually stays in good order.
Start with the scope
Blocks need two kinds of work. Planned tasks keep the building from deteriorating: routine checks, communal decoration cycles, gutters and minor fabric repairs. Reactive jobs deal with the things that break: leaks, damaged doors, failed lighting, water through a ceiling. A contractor who only does one of these leaves you finding someone else for the other.
Write down what the block needs over a year and ask each contractor to say plainly which of those items they will carry out themselves.
Questions worth asking
These questions separate a contractor who can run a block from one who can only fix things when called.
- Which trades do your own team cover, and which are subcontracted?
- How are jobs raised, and how will we know when each is finished?
- Do you send photos and notes after every visit?
- What happens when a leak is reported at night or at the weekend?
- How do you work around residents, parking and communal access?
- Is your workmanship guaranteed, and for how long?
Reporting is the real product
A managing agent rarely sees the work in person. What they see is the report. Clear before and after photos, a short note of what was found and what was done, and early warning of anything that needs a decision make it possible to answer directors and residents without chasing. Ask to see an example report before you appoint.
Out of hours and making safe
Water does not wait for office hours, and in a block one leak can affect several flats. Check how out of hours reports are handled and who attends. The first visit should make the building safe and stop further damage, with permanent repairs scheduled once affected areas have dried. We provide 24/7 call outs for leaks and make safe work alongside our planned and reactive maintenance.
Working in occupied buildings
Residents notice everything: blocked stairways, dust in hallways, paint smell, noise at the wrong hour. A good contractor agrees working hours, keeps routes clear, uses signage for wet paint and leaves communal areas clean at the end of each day. Those habits protect the agent's relationship with residents as much as the building.
How we work with blocks
We carry out planned and reactive maintenance, communal area decoration and repairs for block management companies across Essex, Kent and London, with free quotes and a 1-year workmanship warranty. Our block management maintenance plan page and communal area maintenance service page set out what that covers.
Frequently asked questions
Should one contractor handle planned and reactive work?
It usually helps. One team learns the building, and nothing falls between two firms.
What should a visit report include?
Before and after photos, what was found, what was done and anything that needs a decision.
Do you cover leaks in blocks out of hours?
Yes. Our 24/7 call outs cover leaks and make safe work.
Can you decorate communal areas while residents live there?
Yes. We agree working hours, keep routes clear and use signage for wet paint.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes, with a 1-year workmanship warranty.
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