Page 29 - CooperatorNews New Jersey Expo 2021

NJ.COOPERATORNEWS.COM COOPERATORNEWS NEW JERSEY —EXPO 2021 29 CP SIDE 2 Natu $ 2 BATHROOMS • KITCHENS • DOORS • WINDOWS Kitchen Caulking Bath Caulking Door Caulking Window Caulking Pool Caulking Artist Direct or Solo Proof - NOT PRESS READY CP SIDE 2 908-214-7015 SimplyCaulkIt.com Natural Stone Tile & Countertop Sealing $ 20 OFF Natural Stone Sealing Project BATHROOMS • KITCHENS • DOORS • WINDOWS • MASONRY • POOL DECKS & MORE Kitchen Caulking Bath Caulking Door Caulking Window Caulking Pool Caulking Artist Direct or Solo Proof - NOT PRESS READY RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TY COMMERCIAL PROPER CAULKINGULKING CA BATHROOMS • KITCHENS • DOORS • WINDOWS • MASONRY THROOMS • KITCHENS • DOORS • WINDOWS • MASONRY BA EXPANSION JOINTS • WALKWAYSANSION JOINTS • WALKWAYS • POOL DECKS & MORE • POOL DECKS & MORE EXP 908-647-1545 simplycaulkit@gmail.com SimplyCaulkIt.com License number #13VH11610200 fully insured recommendations directly from them—but go out to bid unless things aren’t going well.” from their cousin’s cousin, not so much. If In fact, those relationships benefit from their they have the proper background, it’s one longevity, where institutional knowledge, per- thing. If not, it typically doesn’t work out well.” Bid Farewell? All of this may beg the question: does ev- ery contract or project need to be bid out? According to Richard Brooks, a partner at the law firm of Marcus, Errico, Emmer, & Brooks in Braintree, Massachusetts, the short answer can solicit and analyze bids as efficiently as is no—at least not legally speaking. He says buildings with managers. He says, “Don’t be it’s really more an exercise in common sense. afraid to bring in the expertise of an engineer Small jobs often don’t merit taking the time or architect if necessary. If not, be as detailed and effort to solicit multiple bids, and in an as possible to get a contract that meets your emergency situation, obtaining bids just isn’t expectations. Meet with the contractors on practical. Cutolo agrees, though he does add that pectations. Communicate the details. Com- “while the body of law does not address the munication is the key.” competitive bidding of contractor vendors, it’s my opinion that the best practice for com- munities depends on the circumstances. As a general practice, it is wise to solicit multiple bids when the board is seeking to contract with a vendor. However, where a project is emergent, it is not always reasonable to solicit bids,” he says. “Due to the time-sensitive na- ture of emergent projects, such as remediating water intrusion, it may be necessary for the as- sociation to enter into a contract immediately. To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community, the association may not have the time to solicit numerous bids.” Brooks adds that when it comes to longer- term contractual relationships like with a manager or an attorney, “there’s no reason to sonal comfort, and familiarity with the prop- erty have value that likely outweighs saving a few bucks by switching to a different provider. What if your Association Is Self-Managed? Wolf suggests that self-managed buildings site and walk through and express your ex- What to Watch Out For “Be suspicious if a price is much lower for one contractor than the others,” says Wolf. “There’s something wrong there. In today’s market, if they say they can start tomorrow, ask why, because it’s just impossible today. If they say they have an opening because of a cancellation, be careful. It can be a problem. If they pull up in a landscaping vehicle to do a roofing job, it’s a problem. Always ask if they actually have insurance. It’s very important. Your association doesn’t have coverage for hiring an uninsured contractor.” n A J Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for CooperatorNews, and a published novelist. See us at Booth 201