Why Integrated Maintenance Changes Everything
Most management companies subcontract every repair to outside vendors at marked-up prices. Altus operates differently — through our sister company, My Handyman Chicago, we bring maintenance in-house.
How maintenance typically works — and why it fails
In the standard property management model, maintenance works like this: a tenant or owner reports an issue, the management company calls a vendor from a list, the vendor schedules the work on their timeline, the management company marks up the invoice 10–20%, and the owner pays — often without seeing what was actually done or why it cost what it did.
The result is slow response times, opaque pricing, inconsistent quality, and a management company that has a financial incentive to use the most expensive vendor rather than the best one.
We built a different model. When we launched Altus, we also built My Handyman Chicago — a dedicated maintenance operation that serves Altus-managed properties directly. The two companies share ownership, systems, and standards. The result is maintenance that is faster, more transparent, and structurally aligned with your interests rather than ours.
Six ways integrated maintenance changes the outcome
Faster Response Times
When maintenance is in-house, the call doesn't go to a third-party answering service. It goes directly into our work order system and gets dispatched to a vetted technician — every inbound communication answered within 4 business hours, with 24/7 emergency dispatch for active maintenance issues.
Zero Markup on Labor
Most management companies mark up vendor invoices 10–20% and don't disclose it. Because My Handyman Chicago is our sister company, Altus clients pay the actual cost of labor — no hidden markup, no referral fee, no conflict of interest.
Photo Documentation on Every Job
Every work order is documented with before-and-after photos via CompanyCam. Boards and owners can see exactly what was done, when it was done, and what it cost — before they receive the invoice.
Vetted, Licensed, Insured
Every My Handyman Chicago technician is background-checked, licensed where required, and carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. You are never exposed to an uninsured vendor on your property.
Consistent Crews, Not Rotating Strangers
We don't use a different vendor for every job. Our properties are served by consistent crews who know the buildings, know the systems, and know the standards. Institutional knowledge compounds over time.
Capital Project Capability
My Handyman Chicago handles more than routine maintenance. We coordinate tuckpointing, façade repairs, painting, flooring, and capital improvement projects — with the same transparency and documentation standards as routine work.
What My Handyman Chicago handles directly
- General repairs and handyman services
- Plumbing (non-licensed repairs, fixture replacements)
- Electrical (non-permit work, fixture replacements, outlet/switch repairs)
- Painting — interior and exterior
- Tuckpointing and masonry repair
- Flooring installation and repair
- Drywall repair and patching
- Door and window repairs
- Appliance installation
- Seasonal maintenance (gutter cleaning, weatherproofing)
- Capital project coordination and oversight
- Emergency response — 24/7 dispatch for active issues
When we bring in licensed specialists
Some work requires licensed trade contractors — permit-required plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing. For these, we use a vetted external vendor network held to the same documentation and transparency standards as our in-house team.
- Licensed plumbing (permit-required work)
- Licensed electrical (permit-required work)
- HVAC installation and major repairs
- Roofing (full replacement projects)
- Elevator maintenance and inspection
- Pest control
- Landscaping and snow removal
All external vendors are screened for licensing, insurance, and performance history before being added to our network. We do not use vendors we haven't vetted.
Every work order is documented end-to-end
We use Property Meld for work order management — tenants and owners submit requests through a dedicated portal, work orders are dispatched automatically, and status updates are pushed in real time. No phone tag, no "we'll get back to you."
Every job is documented with before-and-after photos via CompanyCam. Photos are tagged to the property, the work order, and the technician. Boards and owners can see exactly what was done before they receive the invoice.
All work order history, invoices, and photos are accessible in your Buildium owner or board portal — 24/7, on any device. You never have to ask for records. They're always there.
Questions about our maintenance model
Is My Handyman Chicago the only maintenance vendor Altus uses?
No. My Handyman Chicago handles general maintenance, handyman work, painting, tuckpointing, and capital project coordination. For licensed trade work (permit-required plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing), we use vetted external vendors — screened, insured, and held to the same documentation standards.
Do I have to use My Handyman Chicago, or can I use my own vendors?
For Full-Service clients, we coordinate all maintenance through our network to maintain quality control and documentation standards. If you have an existing vendor relationship you want to preserve, we can discuss it during the proposal process. Finance-Only and Maintenance-Only clients have more flexibility.
How does pricing work for maintenance work?
Routine maintenance is billed at My Handyman Chicago's standard rates — no markup. For larger projects, we provide a written estimate before any work begins. You approve the scope and cost before we proceed. No surprises.
What happens for after-hours emergencies?
Our 24/7 emergency line is handled by Angel, our receptionist, with immediate escalation to the on-call team. For active emergencies (water intrusion, loss of heat, security breach), we dispatch within 2 hours. Non-emergency after-hours calls are triaged and scheduled for the next business day.
Can I see the work order history for my property?
Yes. Every work order, photo, invoice, and completion note is accessible in your owner or board portal in real time. You don't have to ask for records — they're always there.
My Handyman Chicago
My Handyman Chicago is a licensed, insured handyman and maintenance company serving the greater Chicago area. Founded alongside Altus Property Partners, it was purpose-built to serve the properties we manage — with the same standards, the same technology, and the same commitment to transparency.
Ready to experience maintenance that actually works?
Request a proposal and we'll walk you through how our maintenance network integrates with your management agreement — and what it means for your property's long-term health.