WHY I LOVE WORKING WITH PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGERS  

When I started working with indoor air quality — IAQ — in 1988, the field was surprisingly broad. IAQ was a relatively new topic, and I was willing to take any job that came up. However, by 1990, it became obvious I had a choice to make. I needed to decide whether I wanted to focus on working with residential buildings and homeowners or if I would dedicate my time to professional building managers and commercial properties.

A couple of experiences shaped my future aspirations, but two specific phone calls come to mind. The first call was from a woman who described feeling bad while at her house, and only better when she went outside — a strong indicator of an IAQ problem. The second call was from a woman who told me about her dog, who suddenly became sick after she and her husband moved into their new home.

I spent at least 45 minutes on the phone with each of these women, trying to help them navigate their situations. Finally, I told them I could come out and take a look. I let them know my minimum fee for homes of their size would be between $500 and $600. Immediately, I got the exact same response during both calls: “Oh, we can’t afford that. Thank you anyway!” followed by the homeowner hanging up quickly. This was always a fairly devastating response after dedicating almost an hour of my time trying to help over the phone.

I had the exact opposite response on phone calls I had with property managers or other real estate professionals — individuals working with multi-million-dollar properties who knew the risks they would face should someone get sick in their building.

A property manager would call and tell me the problem, we would discuss the situation, and then they’d ask me how soon I could be out there. When I told them it would cost X amount for the area size, I would get a very different response than I would with a homeowner: “Just get out here. We can’t have you soon enough!”

There are many different niches I could have followed in IAQ beyond homes or commercial buildings. I looked into inspecting hospitals and medical facilities, hotels, industrial facilities, and even custom homes. There were things I liked and disliked about each field, but nothing compares to the satisfaction I get from working with commercial property owners.

Within three years of starting my business, I knew I wanted to work exclusively with property managers who were committed to getting the work done right. Ultimately, I am pleased with the choice I made. This time of year, I often look back on the previous years, reflecting on the decisions I made that brought
me to where I am today.

When I look back on my commitment to working with commercial managers and building owners, I don’t feel anything but satisfaction. I have worked with so many great professionals over the course of my career, and the vast majority have been informed, friendly, and helpful. Many of them have even become personal friends, and I’m happy to have them in my life.

This year, as families across the country reach out to celebrate the holidays, I hope everyone who reads this will consider me a friend as well. Have a happy and healthy Christmas holiday and a productive and profitable New Year!