WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PROPERTY MANAGER VS. ESTATE MANAGER?

Property Managers and Estate Managers are both responsible for the daily running of an estate, but their job descriptions contain  different tasks. To clarify what your estate may need,  and what we at Hoku Maui Home and Estate Management do, we have outlined the various responsibilities assigned to each position to clear up any confusion.

How to Know If You Need a Property Manager vs. Estate Manager

The Roles of a Property Manager

1.The Property Management role is responsible for managing the upkeep and maintenance of the estate. They closely manage vendors who perform various duties both in and around the property.

2. Duties performed by the Property Manager are focused on the physical and mechanical aspects of the property. These duties may include understanding the operation and maintenance of the equipment used throughout the estate. They also work with service vendors.

3. Property Managers are generally expected to provide hands-on expertise with handy-man type duties. These are usually services that do not require specialized knowledge or trade. A few of the responsibilities of a property manager are :

• Power washing
• Maintenance of lawns and gardens
• Operate and maintain A/V equipment
• Window cleaning
• Organize cleaning services

4. A Property Manager will have effective communication skills because they will be dealing with tradespeople, employees, and services daily.

The Roles of an Estate Manager

1. The Estate Management role is mostly an administrative one. Estate Managers are in a position of leadership and are responsible for overseeing the staff. They also oversee services taking place in and around the homes of the estate.

2. An Estate Manager will spend time in the office managing budgets, creating manuals, and event planning.

3. They will also be required to oversee:

• Hiring construction and renovation projects
• Interior designers
• The repair and maintenance of vehicles
• Wine cellars

4. Estate Managers have a strong presence and effortless communication skills. They are in charge of overseeing the entire house and the first individual to represent the family and estate they are working for, and responsible for the day to day
running of the property.

In conclusion, the Property Manager consists of a more hands-on role. The Estate Manager is responsible for the bigger picture of managing staff, budgets, and large-scale renovations or construction projects inside and outside the homes.

What does Hoku Maui Home & Estate Management do?

We are a hybrid.

We combine property management and estate management.

1 – We manage the upkeep and maintenance of the estate by closely supervising vendors who perform various duties both in and around the property.

2- We work directly with service vendors.

3- We understand the operation and maintenance of the equipment used throughout the estate.

4- We hire vendors.

5- We supervise weekly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual maintenance for the estate.

Examples:

• Supervise weekly landscaping.
• Schedule quarterly window cleaning.

6- We address any immediate issue on the property inside and outside.

Examples:

• Leak in irrigation
•  Pest issue
• Front gate malfunction

7- We obtain bids and supervise construction/renovation projects.

This is where the hybrid part comes in: 

8- We do administration.

What does that look like?

• Digital and hardcopy filing of personal information.
• Purchase items for the interior and exterior of the home.
• Manage vehicles.
• Event planning.
• Travel planning.
• Bill paying.
• And more.

What do we NOT do?

1 -The hands-on physical labor. We hire all the vendors to provide the services necessary to tend to the job at hand.

2 – We do not collect rent for long term or short-term rentals. We collaborate directly with the principal homeowner and their primary residence or seasonal residence.

I hope this clarifies and if you have any questions at all, please reach out.