Maintenance Coordination: How We Handle Repairs Without Markups

No Markups, No Hidden Fees, No Surprises on Your Monthly Statement

Most Airbnb management companies have a dirty secret: They profit from your repairs and maintenance.

Here's how it typically works:

• Plumber charges RM 300 for a repair
• Manager charges you RM 350-375
• They keep RM 50-75 as their "margin"

Do this 20 times per year, and that's RM 1,000-1,500 of extra profit for them - paid by you.

At iHousing, we do things differently. We coordinate repairs, but you pay the contractor directly. No markup, no margin, no hidden fees.

This article explains our transparent maintenance coordination system and how it saves you money.

The Traditional Management Model: Built-In Markups

Before showing you our approach, let's expose what most managers do:

Hidden Markup Areas

1. Maintenance Margin (15-25%)

• Contractor bill: RM 300
• Manager charges: RM 350-375
• Markup: RM 50-75

2. Emergency Service Fees

• Weekend/evening call: RM 50-100
• Happens 5-10 times/year
• Annual cost: RM 250-1,000

3. Supply Markups (15-30%)

• Light bulb, screws, parts: RM 50
• Manager charges: RM 60-70
• Annual cost: RM 100-200

4. "Coordination Fees"

• Some managers charge RM 30-50 per repair just for "coordinating"
• 20 repairs/year = RM 600-1,000 in fees

Total hidden annual cost: RM 1,000-2,700 above what contractors actually charge.

The iHousing Approach: No Markup Maintenance

Our Philosophy

Management fee covers coordination. You shouldn't pay extra for us to arrange repairs.

You own the property. You should control repair decisions and costs.

Transparency builds trust. When you see the actual contractor bill, you know we're not padding costs.

How It Works

Step 1: Issue Identified

We discover maintenance issues through:

• Guest reports ("AC is making strange noise")
• Cleaning team observations ("Washing machine not draining")
• Pre-stay inspections ("Remote battery needs replacement")
• Owner reports ("I noticed ceiling leak during last visit")

Step 2: Assessment & Documentation

We document the issue:

• Photos taken
• Problem described
• Urgency assessed (emergency, urgent, routine)
• Impact on guests evaluated

Step 3: Owner Notification

We notify you via WhatsApp/email:

• Issue: "AC unit in master bedroom not cooling properly"
• Evidence: Photos and guest report attached
• Urgency: Urgent (affecting current guest)
• Contractor quote: RM 280 for diagnostic and repair
• Recommendation: Proceed with repair (yes/no)

Step 4: Owner Decision

Your options:

• Approve: "Yes, proceed with repair" - We schedule contractor
• Decline: "Not worth it" - We note for future consideration
• Alternate: "I know someone cheaper" - You coordinate, we handle guest communication
• Defer: "Wait until booking gap" - We schedule for vacant period

Step 5: Coordination & Execution

If you approve:

• We schedule contractor at convenient time
• We provide property access (digital lock or meet contractor)
• We supervise the work (ensure quality)
• We test repairs after completion
• We document with before/after photos

Step 6: Payment

You pay contractor directly:

• Contractor invoices you directly (not us)
• You pay contractor via bank transfer/e-wallet
• You send us payment confirmation
• We update property records

Result: You see exactly what the repair costs. No padding, no markup.

Trusted Contractor Network

Over 8 years in Melaka, we've built relationships with reliable, reasonably-priced contractors:

Our Network Includes

Service Type	Contractors	Average Response
Air Conditioning	3 trusted companies	Same day / next day
Plumbing	2 licensed plumbers	2-4 hours
Electrical	2 electricians	Same day / next day
Appliances	3 repair shops	1-2 days
General Repairs	4 handymen	24-48 hours

How We Vet Contractors

We only work with contractors who meet our standards:

• Licensed and insured (where applicable)
• Reasonable pricing (we compare multiple quotes)
• Reliable availability (respond quickly to emergencies)
• Quality workmanship (repairs last, don't fail again)
• Guest-friendly (professional, clean, respectful)

If a contractor fails our standards: We stop using them and find alternatives.

Emergency vs Routine Maintenance

Not all repairs need immediate action. We categorize and prioritize:

Emergencies (Immediate Action)

Definition: Issues affecting guest safety or comfort.

Examples:

• Flooding or water leak
• Complete AC failure (especially in hot weather)
• Power outage
• Lock malfunction (guest can't access property)
• Safety hazards (broken glass, exposed wiring)

Our response:

• Contact you immediately with situation
• Provide contractor quote and recommendation
• If urgent and under RM 500, we proceed immediately (per our agreement)
• If over RM 500, we await your approval but push for fastest response
• Temporary solutions provided if needed (fans, heaters, etc.)

Urgent (Within 24-48 Hours)

Definition: Issues that don't affect safety but impact guest experience.

Examples:

• AC not cooling properly (but still working)
• Washing machine not spinning
• WiFi intermittent (not completely down)
• Minor appliance malfunctions

Our response:

• Notify you with details and quote
• Recommend timing (around guest bookings)
• Schedule repair at earliest convenient opportunity
• Provide temporary workarounds to guests

Routine (Scheduled During Vacancies)

Definition: Preventive maintenance or non-urgent issues.

Examples:

• Annual AC servicing
• Paint touch-ups
• Furniture tightening
• Fixture replacements

Our response:

• Add to maintenance calendar
• Schedule during booking gaps
• Bundle multiple routine tasks for efficiency
• Present recommendations during slower months

Cost Comparison: With Markups vs Without

Let's show you the savings over a year:

Scenario: Typical Annual Maintenance

Repair	Contractor Cost	Typical Manager (with 20% markup)
AC servicing (2 units)	RM 300	RM 360
Plumbing repair (toilet)	RM 250	RM 300
Electrical fix (power point)	RM 150	RM 180
Washing machine repair	RM 280	RM 336
Door lock replacement	RM 200	RM 240
WiFi router replacement	RM 180	RM 216
Minor touch-ups (paint, etc.)	RM 300	RM 360
TOTAL	RM 1,660	RM 1,992
Annual savings with iHousing		RM 332

Over 3 years:

• Your savings: RM 996 (almost RM 1,000)
• For multiple properties: Multiply accordingly

And this doesn't include emergency fees that other managers charge...

Emergency Fee Comparison

Fee Type	Typical Manager	iHousing
After-hours coordination	RM 50-100/call	Included
Weekend scheduling	RM 30-50	Included
"Emergency" response	RM 75-150	Included
Coordination fee	RM 30-50/repair	Included

If you have 5 emergency situations per year (not uncommon for Airbnb properties):

• Other manager charges: RM 250-750 in emergency fees
• iHousing charges: RM 0 (included in management fee)

Preventive Maintenance: Saving Money Through Proactive Care

We don't just fix problems. We prevent them:

Annual Preventive Maintenance Checklist

For every property we manage, we schedule:

Before monsoon season (October-November):

• Check roof for leaks
• Clean gutters and drains
• Test windows and doors for proper sealing
• Inspect exterior for weather damage

Before peak summer (February-March):

• Full AC servicing (all units)
• Clean AC filters and coils
• Test cooling performance
• Check thermostats and remotes

Quarterly (every 3 months):

• Test all smoke detectors
• Check plumbing for slow leaks
• Inspect electrical points and switches
• Test safety equipment

Monthly:

• Check for pest activity
• Test water heater performance
• Inspect grout and caulking in bathrooms
• Check door and window hardware

Value of Preventive Maintenance

Example: AC Preventive Care

• Annual servicing: RM 150/unit
• Prevents major breakdown: RM 800-1,500 repair
• ROI: Spend RM 150, save RM 800+ = RM 650+ saved

Example: Leak Detection

• Early detection (paint discoloration): Fix for RM 200
Late detection (water damage, mold): Fix for RM 2,000+
• ROI: Spend RM 200, save RM 1,800+ = RM 1,800+ saved

Owner Control: You Decide, We Coordinate

Our system gives you full control while eliminating coordination hassle:

Decision Thresholds

Default agreements (can be customized per owner):

• Under RM 500, urgent: We proceed immediately, notify you afterward
• Under RM 500, non-urgent: We notify you, await approval
• Over RM 500: Always notify you first, await approval
• Your custom threshold: You set any limit you prefer

Example Scenarios

Scenario A: RM 350 AC Repair (Urgent)

• Guest is checking in tomorrow
• AC not cooling in master bedroom
• Contractor quote: RM 350 for repair
• Our action: Proceed immediately (under RM 500 threshold)
• We notify you same day with summary
• You pay contractor RM 350 directly

Scenario B: RM 800 Water Heater Replacement (Non-Urgent)

• Guests don't use it much (Melaka is hot)
• There's a 5-day gap before next booking
• Contractor quote: RM 800 for replacement
• Our action: Notify you with details and quote
• Your decision: Approve, defer, or decline
• You pay contractor directly if approved

Scenario C: RM 200 Ceiling Stain (Cosmetic)

• Guest mentioned minor ceiling stain in guest book
• Doesn't affect stay
• Contractor quote: RM 200 to paint and seal
• Our action: Notify you with photo
• Your decision: "Not urgent, schedule for next vacancy period"
• We calendar it and remind you when gap appears

Documentation & Transparency

Every maintenance activity is documented:

Maintenance Log

For each property, we maintain:

• Date: When issue was reported
• Description: What the problem was
• Action taken: How it was resolved
• Contractor: Who performed the work
• Cost: What was charged (with receipt)
• Photos: Before and after
• Warranty: Any guarantees on work performed

Monthly Report Includes

• All maintenance performed that month
• Total maintenance costs
• Contractor receipts attached
• Upcoming recommended maintenance
• Preventive maintenance schedule

Owner Dashboard Access

• View complete maintenance history
• Track repair costs over time
• Download contractor receipts
• See upcoming scheduled maintenance

Special Situations: How We Handle Complex Repairs

Major Renovations

When significant work is needed:

• Multiple contractor quotes obtained
• We present comparison table
• You choose contractor and pricing
• We coordinate schedule around bookings
• We supervise work completion
• Final walk-through with photos

Insurance Claims

If damage is covered by insurance:

• We document damage thoroughly
• Provide photos and evidence
• Assist with insurance claim process
• Coordinate with adjuster if needed
• Help you find approved contractors

Warranty Claims

If item is under manufacturer warranty:

• We identify warranty status
• Contact manufacturer for warranty service
• Coordinate repair at no cost to you
• Document claim for your records

Comparing Management Options

Aspect	Commission-Based Manager	iHousing
Maintenance markup	15-25% on all repairs	None - you pay contractor directly
Emergency fees	RM 50-150 per incident	Included in management fee
Coordination fees	RM 30-50 per repair	Included in management fee
Contractor choice	Their preferred contractors	Your choice or our trusted network
Payment	Paid to manager (they pay contractor)	Paid directly to contractor
Transparency	Lump sum on statement	Detailed receipts provided
Owner control	Limited - manager decides	Full - you approve all major repairs
Annual extra cost	RM 1,000-2,700	RM 0 (all included)

Taking Action: Transparent Maintenance for Your Property

Stop paying hidden markups on maintenance and repairs.

For Parkland Avenue by the Sea:

Our flat fee (RM 200-300/month) includes:

• Zero markup maintenance coordination
• responsive emergency response
• Trusted contractor network access
• Preventive maintenance scheduling
• Full documentation and receipts
• Owner approval required for major expenses

Pre-register now: WhatsApp to lock in transparent pricing.

For Other Condos:

WhatsApp us for custom pricing that includes markup-free maintenance coordination.

The Bottom Line: What You Save

With iHousing's transparent maintenance coordination:

• No markups on repairs (save 15-25%)
• No emergency fees (save RM 250-1,000/year)
• No coordination charges (included in management fee)
• Full control over repair decisions
• Complete transparency with receipts and documentation

Annual savings: RM 1,000-2,700 compared to typical managers.

5-year savings: RM 5,000-13,500.

That's money back in your pocket, not in your manager's markup.

WhatsApp iHousing today: Experience transparent, no-markup maintenance coordination.