Trestle News & Insights, Spring-2018 — The Maintenance Issue
Welcome to the Trestle Community Management News & Insights newsletter. This newsletter is sent to Trestle Client Board Members to keep you up to date on firm happenings, and topics that are important at the time. Following are several short articles to help you as we embark on spring and summer maintenance activities in your community.
Your Simple Curb Appeal Checklist
The curb appeal of your community depends on each resident maintaining their property as completely as possible. Forthose who keep their homes and yards well maintained, the association should thank them for their efforts and good examples. A Board should encourage all residents to pay attention to the following maintenance items.
Northwest Maintenance Services Expands Staff for Spring & Summer Projects
In preparation for a busy spring and summer maintenance season, Northwest Maintenance Services has added 3 new Maintenance Technicians to our staff. The new team members have experience and skills specifically in the areas of pressure washing, window washing, roof and gutter cleaning, and general grounds maintenance areas. “Expanding our team at this time will allow Northwest Maintenance Services to be most responsive to scheduling needs as the weather improves and our Clients want their communities looking their best,” said Bob Brencic, President of Trestle Community Management.
Contractor Caution
Finding a contractor who will perform quality work at a reasonable price can be a daunting task. Sometimes it just seems easiest to hire a relative or someone living in your community that is somewhat handy. But that can lead to trouble in many ways. The following warning signs can alert you to unscrupulous, disorganized, inexperienced or financially troubled contractors who may deliver broken promises, bad work and blown budgets rather than professional results.
Northwest Maintenance Services Deploys Powerful Field Service Management Software
Northwest Maintenance Services (NWMS) announced their deployment of a powerful software solution from RazorSynch to aid with the company’s scheduling and management of its maintenance activities. The fully deployed software now allows NWMS to improve job scheduling integrity, worker assignment and dispatch efficiency, and effectively communicate status and work performed to Trestle’s Community Managers for posting on Trestle’s My-Community Web Portal.
Why We Have a Design Review Process
Community Associations have a set of written design review standards and processes. Some homeowners mistakenly believe these standards restrict their freedom of individual expression; actually, they provide a framework within which each homeowner can express individual tastes and preferences. The standards have been carefully developed to reflect a balance between individual rights and the good of the entire association—that is, property values.
A Place for My Stuff – Getting HOA Approval for that New Garden Shed
Trestle’s Melissa Musser reviews steps that should be taken with the Association and potentially the city before
installing a new shed or barn in a yard to keep more of the owner’s stuff.
The Value of Good Landscaping and Why Associations Contract for Professional Landscaping
Most associations have a robust landscaping budget, but the practical purposes accomplished by good landscaping makes it money well spent.
5 Tips for Running an Association Board Meeting
Trestle’s Joy Steele writes how running an effective homeowner’s association (HOA) board meeting is like mastering the zipper merge. When it’s performed properly, everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing and it looks effortless. It just takes preparation and some practice to get it right.
CAI Saturday Seminar — Condominium – Board Leadership Development Workshop
The new CAI Board Leadership Development Workshop teaches you how to communicate with association residents, hire qualified managers and service providers, develop enforceable rules, interpret governing documents and more. It provides a comprehensive look at the roles and responsibilities of community association leaders and conveys information to help create and maintain the kind of community people want to call home.
The workshop will teach Board members how to become more successful and how you can recruit and support new volunteers. You’ll learn the role of the board, the president, and other leadership positions, and you’ll identify effective ways to work with professional managers and service providers.
Saturday April 7, 2018 in Tacoma, or Saturday April 21, 2018 in Lynnwood
WSCAI Law Day
This is a single-day event held at the Tacoma Convention Center on Saturday April 7, 2018 and at the Lynnwood Convention Center on Saturday April 21, 2018. There will be several legal sessions taught by experienced attorneys who understand the laws that affect Condominiums and HOAs in Washington State. All registrants will be provided continental breakfast and a buffet lunch. The event includes 30 industry-related exhibitors.
Read More >> …for Tacoma April 7 or …for Lynnwood April 21
