Keeping up on rental property maintenance, repairs and renovation is a big part of being a landlord. Careful planning and knowing when the job is too big for you to take on yourself — and having a contact list full of experts to call if so — makes this part of the job that much easier. Learn how to effectively plan work with your contractors and develop a strong rapport with them so you can take care of your property needs without delay. Tips include:

• Seasonal planning
• Early communication with contractors
• Referring your contractor to others
• Asking for your contractors’ help

Plan for the season

In many areas of the country, property renovation and repair projects slow down in the winter. Come warmer weather, things ramp back up, and the contractors and repair companies who help with these projects will be very busy. Once the demand for their services picks up, you might find it challenging to get the help you need when a new project hits your radar.

Even big-box home stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s get extremely busy during the spring and summer. There could be shortages of the most popular materials, and supply lines slow down, so you need to allow for possible cost increases or job delays.

Oftentimes during the off season, contractors and subcontractors actively seek work to fill their schedule. So, if you have projects that are largely indoors, like changing out kitchen cabinetry, try planning them during the colder months when things might get done faster — and maybe even at a discount.

But, the warmer weather often coincides with the busy move-in/move-out season. Having a window when your rental is vacant can make it convenient to do larger renovation and repair projects. Getting these projects scheduled and finished as quickly as possible to minimize the time your rental is vacant is critical in getting the most out of your investment. The trick is developing a great relationship with your contractor.

And, don’t forget season-specific work, like snow removal or winterization in affected areas. Keep ahead of the season and line up contractors to take care of these tasks in advance.

Keep your contractors in the loop

Even if you don’t have work for them now, keep your contractors in the loop about what’s coming up. If you have a unit that will be vacant in a few months, and you know you need to do some work, call your contractor as soon as you’re aware of the upcoming vacancy. If you have subs or contractors who work with you regularly, they might prefer to fit you into their schedule rather than bid on jobs with people they don’t know. Giving them a heads-up will help them plan.

Consider using your contractors and repair people when possible for maintenance work as well. General contractors might not be thrilled about managing small jobs, but they might be able to refer them to their subcontractors who will appreciate the work, especially during slower times.

If you’re purchasing a new property that needs rehab, involving your vendors in costs estimates can go a long way. If they know about a potential job and approximately when it will kick off, they’ll be more inclined to make allowances in their schedules for your preferred work.

Be sure you follow through with your projects, however. If you’re just considering something but aren’t sure, don’t call your contractor to come over to give their opinion. They don’t give unlimited free consultation, and wasting too much of their time with no paying work will erode their trust quickly.

Actively refer your contractors

Use your contractors for work on your own home, and recommend them to relatives, friends and business associates. Make sure they know where the referral came from. If you have stable, reliable contractors, it’s worth it to be on the lookout for jobs you can send their way. They’ll appreciate the lead, and you’ll get their full consideration when you have a project pop up that you want done quickly.

Ask for their help

While a contractor is doing work for you, ask for their opinion about potential projects you are considering. If you are thinking about investing in other properties, ask them to be on the lookout for possible purchase opportunities — that include renovation work — and send them your way. Let them know if you decide to go for it (and why), and start planning the work with them if so. This will help build an active partnership with them, and they’ll know you trust them and are seeking future work for them.

Once you’ve built and tested a reliable and affordable rehab team, don’t risk having to start over or fill gaps. Do what you can to keep them loyal and available when you need them.