Multifamily maintenance has a pay problem. The standard 1:100 staffing model (one maintenance tech per 100 units) caps wages—there’s simply no rent revenue left to pay more.So what happens? The best techs leave. Where do they go? Higher-paying trades like HVAC and plumbing. Apprentice plumbers start at $25/hr, journeymen hit $35/hr, and master plumbers can make anywhere from $40–$75/hr. Meanwhile, the average multifamily maintenance tech earns $22–$28/hr—with no clear path upward.This isn’t just a staffing issue. It’s a renewal revenue issue. The #1 source of negative reviews? Maintenance. The #1 source of positive reviews? Also maintenance.With rents flattening and supply increasing, the demand for skilled maintenance techs is going up. But the pool of available workers is shrinking—and getting less experienced. If you can’t compete with pay, you can’t keep the best talent.
The Solution: 1:200, 1:300+
The only way to increase maintenance wages without raising rents? Scale the model. Instead of 1 tech per 100 units, we need 1:200—or better yet, 1:300+.How do we do that? You can’t just hire more techs. You can’t just outsource. The only option is to invest in technology. And the best tech available today? A.I.
(Caption: Start using A.I.)
What’s in It for You?
For Maintenance Teams
Biggest pushback we hear? “Our maintenance team won’t buy in. They don’t like tech. They won’t even enter work orders.”Here’s a tough truth: You will never get paid more unless productivity increases beyond 1:100.How do you increase productivity? Technology. The best tech right now is AI-driven maintenance.Want a bigger paycheck? Start using Maintenance AI. Learn it, Ask for it.For Property Managers
Struggling with renewals, open job postings, and increasing concessions? Your maintenance experience is failing against your competitors.Why? Because you’re still solving it the old way.The fastest way to fix renewals? AI-driven maintenance.Want a bigger paycheck? Start using AI. Try it. Ask for it. Train it.For Asset Managers
Deals are underwater. Refinancing is coming. The new building across the street is offering three months free rent.Your NOI is unstable, and you can’t predict revenue.How do you stabilize NOI? Better maintenance. How do you get better maintenance? AI.Want a bigger paycheck? Start using AI. Try it. Ask for it. Train it. Give Permission.The Bottom Line
Every part of the business wins when maintenance becomes more efficient. The only way to raise wages, improve NOI, and enhance the resident experience is to leverage AI.Want a bigger paycheck? Start using AI.If getting paid more isn’t a priority for you, it’s probably a priority for your leader. Let’s talk about how AI can make it happen.Our mission is to simplify the homeowners & home builders customer experience. Let Iris do the work.
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