Topic: Expendables...

My policy has always been that the tech/supervisor provide their own tools (except for specialty ones, recovery machine, vacuum pump, torches, etc.) and that the property/company provides the expendables...blades, drill bits, etc... I am now in a situation where these "expendables' are not provided. I don't care for that policy, but there is little I can do to address it any time soon. It does not affect me directly as management, but, having worn the tool bag for many years, my thoughts are still for the guys in the trenches.

For perspective for RMs, PMs and LAs, think of having to provide your own printer, copying machine and desktop computer...AND...your own printer paper, toner and pens.

What is your property/company policy? Am I in the minority? No one is right or wrong, but your thoughts are greatly appreciated either way.

Robert, Great question!
We provide the "expendables," as you call them. Point well made on the toner, paper, etc.
The "small tools" themselves are really important indicators for me that a Maintenance team member has skills...no tools, probably no skills. Or nice, shiny tools (like mine), probably not a lot of skills! :P

I'm still figuring out how to do some sort of tool test during the interview...maybe have a few of the more technical ones laying on the table with a name game attached to it. I had a tech who came in his second day with a brand new, $1800 Craftsman toolbox set...I though "Oh, Dear.", but he proved himself quite reliable...so I give shiny tools a second chance ;)

I just have to figure out how to present this in dollars and cents to upper management, they've done it this way for years, so it will not be easy.

Thanks for your thoughts...

A Regional on my team taught me to do an on-the-job test on the second interview! She escorts the potential new hire to a vacant and they change the lock, repair a toilet, test the pool, and maybe one or two other "standard" items. How do you feel about that? :huh:

That is the best way and something available to me when I was a super on a single property. Alas, those days are over, as I cover a much larger number of units spread over a wide area...My tools are a briefcase and a clipboard now, with my tool bag looking on forlornly from the back seat under a growing layer of dust. :)

All of the companies with whom I have been affiliated, provide the expendables/supplies. They are included as line items in the Maintenance part of the budget. You implement an inventory list so that items can be tracked. I would suspect that techs who "run out" of items would then not be able to complete a project and that would be a major inconvenience to everyone: resident, maintenance tech and leasing office personnel. Some maintenance departments also resolve some of the inexpensive items with a petty cash disbursement. That way, the company does cover things so projects are not delayed.

Thank you for your thoughts, Ms. Mindy. I'm looking at this from a safety/liability issue at this point...techs working with dull blades will ultimately get hurt. The practical side tells me that there is no incentive to invest in more tools...Sawzall blades can get expensive and can easily be destroyed halfway thru a heavy cut, and hammer drill bits and chisel points can run $60 or more. It's my understanding that it is required in at least 26 states as well, so there is also an interest to do what's best for the company in all this. The research should make for a good post after this :)

Fascinating discussion everyone. Right now the industry is having huge problems finding qualified techs, so I wonder if putting a financial burden on new techs to cover more of their supplies is a good idea.

Our company requires techs to provide the skillset, good attitude, and safe practices. The company supplies tools and expendables. And of course we hold them accountable for responsible use of tools/expendables, but we believe they should not have to supply their own.

If a company wants the "employees" to pay for their business so they can make a profit, the employee needs to be charging the company for the materials and make a profit. In other words "markup"! "Tools" are a bit of grey area, expendables have no grey area, the company pays for them or I do not work for them. Does the company expect the other employees to pay the utility bills, electricity is an expendable just as much as a saw blade.
As to tools, a inventory of the workers tools they will be using on the job is made when he starts, over time any new ones needed are added, over time any replacements needed due to wear are paid for by the company, the company gets the old tool, this does not cover loss. If the employee leaves, deprecation or replacement is paid on the tools used. Or, the employee can pay for their tools and replacements etc. but retains the ability to "write them off" on his income tax, instead of the company.
Any "specialty" tools are paid for and owned by the company. As are tools that are not really used a great deal or tools that will be used by many employees at different times, like a pressure washer. The employee "signs" them out and is responsible for the item. Abuse is not tolerated.

It may depend on the State in which the employee works. I worked for a company in California that was sued for requiring that maintenance techs supply their own tools.

My maintenance man has been here 7 years. We are a small property (60 apts) and it's just the (local) owner, me (PM) and our maint guy. He came here with his own tools, however, since I have been here (3 yrs), if he needs to buy or replace a tool, I just give him the approval to do it with our card. If it's a higher dollar item, of course I get the owner's approval first. But I say it to him like this - he has worked for us for 7 years. He ONLY works this job and rarely ever even leaves the property. The tool he needs is ONLY for this property, soooo.....we buy it. I can't pay him what he is worth, the least we can do is provide him with cool tools to make his job easier.