Issue link: https://hub.associaonline.com/i/853714
For a vendor to become a true partner in your community's success, they must perform high-quality work that fully addresses your community's needs and stands the test of time. If a vendor you're considering has already proven they have a strong background, pose these next few questions to take a deeper dive into their individual approach and the unique capabilities they could bring to your association. 5. What will the process be for the project? "When interviewing a vendor, especially for a larger project, I always make sure to ask them this question. It may seem worded a bit vaguely, but the responses will help you determine how prepared and organized they are for a project of your scope. While a professional management company or an engineer performing project management will make every effort to get bids from reliable contractors who have handled similar projects, sometimes a vendor who gets to the interview isn't quite prepared for your community's needs — and this question can help identify that concern early. I look for responses that include details about the permit application process, scheduling a pre-construction meeting to determine where they can leave materials and a port- a-potty on-site, discussions on how owners will be notified of work that affects them directly (notices mailed, posted on mailboxes, front doors, etc), how damage reports from homeowners will be addressed, what type of timeline to anticipate, what type of progress reports to expect, and who will be on your site and who emergency contacts will be." -Lea Marcou, CMCA ® , AMS ® , PCAM ® Associa Chicagoland 6. Would you be willing to aend a board meeting for no charge to talk about your company? "If a vendor agrees to meet with your board, it shows that they're willing to be transparent and communicative, which are valuable qualities in any vendor. Additionally, how they approach the meeting will show how prepared, organized and confident they are in their services." -Amy James, CMCA ® Associa Chicagoland 7. What are the last three HOAs you have performed work for – and can you provide their contact information for reference? "It is both important that the vendor understands the nuances of HOA work and that they are willing to provide references from previous HOAs." -Marisa Highsmith, CMCA ® , AMS ® , PCAM ® Associa HRW, AAMC® Verify Quality Work