New Year’s Resolutions [Part 4] – The Service Provider

As the association’s service provider, I resolve to:

Number one:

1. Follow the Golden Rule. [treating others how I want to be treated]

Proposals:

1. Give the board the best proposal I can. If I think the association’s request for proposal is missing important elements of the work, I will add those elements to my proposal but will also disclose the extra costs of those items.
2. Tell them if they really don’t need my services right now.
3. Explain my recommendations, and never tell them just to “trust me.”
4. Promise only what I know I can deliver.
5. Not seek a contract of more than one year in length, unless there is no way to complete the work in less than a year.

Knowledge:

1. Pursue professional designations and attend seminars to keep me up to date.
2. Take the Educated Business Partner course from CAI, to make sure I am familiar with the unique needs and characteristics of common interest communities.

Service:

1. Answer the board’s or manager’s questions promptly.
2. Explain my company’s charges, taking no offense.
3. Take instruction only from the manager or from the person designated in the contract.
4. If a homeowner, even a committee chair or director, interferes with the work, I will immediately alert management.
5. If work outside the contract is needed, will get written authorization for that work, for which I have quoted a price.
6. If I recognize work outside my expertise is needed, I will not attempt the work but will immediately advise the association.

Community relations:

1. Always be courteous to every resident, aware that my work might be occasionally disruptive to those residents.
2. Regularly provide updates to the board and management on major projects.
3. Volunteer at no charge on major projects to attend occasional “town hall” meetings to update the membership on progress.
4. At the end of each work day, I will make sure the work areas are clean and safe for the residents.
5. Not start work each day too early, nor end it too late, to avoid disturbing residents.

Ethics:

1. Never offer commissions to managers, or incentives of any kind. If a manager or director asks for improper benefits, I will refuse and disclose that request to the board.
2. Not give expensive gifts to managers or directors.
3. Never give preferential treatment or free services to directors, but will treat all association members equally.
4. Not advise or assist any homeowners to keep or attain a position on the board. I as a vendor will be neutral at all times.
5. If my company has any business relationship with the management company, I will not assume the manager has disclosed it, but will disclose that relationship to the board.

Performance:

1. Always carry proof of workers compensation and liability insurance, and will provide that along with my proposal.
2. If there is work requested which my company is not licensed to perform, I will alert the association as early as possible.
3. Stand behind my company’s work, and will promptly correct any mistakes.

Last:

1. Follow the Golden Rule

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   Written by Kelly G. Richardson

   Kelly G. Richardson Esq., CCAL, is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and a Partner of Richardson | Ober | DeNichilo LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit questions to [email protected]. Past columns at www.hoahomefront.com. All rights reserved®.