Property upkeep for multi-unit buildings
Win ongoing upkeep contracts for small apartment buildings, including seasonal tasks and repairs.
- C$8k-35k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small crew providing regular upkeep for walk-up apartments, townhouse complexes and small commercial-residential buildings: common area repairs, gutter and eavestrough clearing, snow and ice checks, minor fixes, and unit turnovers.
Your first three steps
- Meet local property managers and condo boards and ask what upkeep they struggle to get done
- Price a sample monthly package covering visits, seasonal tasks and call-outs
- Get insurance and set up a simple system for work orders, photos and invoices
Who pays
Landlords with several buildings, property management companies, condo boards and owners of small apartment blocks.
How it makes money
Monthly retainers for routine visits plus charged call-outs for repairs. Contracts give more predictable income than one-off jobs.
Skills that help
- Wide range of repair skills
- Scheduling and managing a small crew
- Quoting and invoicing for contracts
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance, and clients may ask for higher limits on contracts
- WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, with rules that differ by province
- Regulated trades such as electrical, plumbing and gas need certified people, so check your provincial rules
- Late-paying clients can strain cash flow, so agree payment terms in writing
- Check your municipality for business licence requirements and winter work obligations
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: property upkeep for multi-unit buildings
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a multi-unit property upkeep business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your equipment, vehicle and insurance. Use this as a starting estimate and get your own quotes for tools, coverage and crew needs.
How much can a property upkeep contracting business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many contracts you hold and the size of your crew. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.
What rules and insurance should I check before starting?
Things to check: commercial general liability insurance, since clients may ask for higher limits, WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, your provincial rules for regulated trades like electrical, plumbing and gas, and your municipality's business licence and winter work requirements.
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