Comparing strata management quotes? Learn what to look beyond the headline price, including fees, services, additional charges, response times, experience and contract terms, so your owners corporation can choose the right strata manager with confidence.
Comparing strata management quotes can be harder than it looks.
One manager may quote a lower annual fee, while another may appear more expensive but include services, meetings or administration that the first quote charges separately.
For an owners corporation or strata committee, the real question isn't simply “Which manager is cheapest?”
It is: “What are we actually getting for the fee?”
When you compare strata managers, looking beyond the headline price can help your committee make a more informed decision.
The first thing most committees look at is the annual strata management fee. This is usually the core fee charged for managing the scheme, but the way it is presented can vary between strata management companies. Check whether the quote clearly explains:
This is where comparing quotes side-by-side becomes particularly useful. Ask each strata manager what is included in their standard management fee. Depending on the manager and your state, this may include things such as:
Price matters, but so does service. A strata manager can have a competitive fee and still be frustrating to work with if owners and committee members struggle to get responses. Ask potential managers: “How quickly do you normally respond to owners and committee enquiries?” You can also ask whether they have formal response-time targets or service standards.
Experience matters — but capacity matters too. A manager may have years of industry experience, but your committee should also understand how many schemes they manage and whether they have enough capacity to provide the level of service your building requires. Consider asking:
Before appointing a new strata manager, make sure your committee understands the management agreement. Pay particular attention to: The rules around appointing or terminating a strata manager can differ between Australian states and territories, so committees should check the legislation and their own agreement before making a decision.
💰 Management Fees
Before comparing the headline price, check:
✓ Annual management fee ✓ Fee structure: Per lot or for the whole scheme? ✓ Included services: What is covered by the standard fee? ✓ Lot numbers: Does the fee change depending on the number of lots? ✓ Fee reviews: When can the fee be reviewed or increased?
📋 Services Included
Make sure you understand exactly what you’re paying for:
✓ Committee and general meetings ✓ Meeting preparation and minutes ✓ Levy administration ✓ Financial administration ✓ Owner communication ✓ Records management ✓ Maintenance coordination ✓ Insurance administration ✓ Compliance support ✓ Contractor communication
⚠️ Additional Fees & Disbursements
Look beyond the standard management fee and ask about:
✓ Additional meetings ✓ Extraordinary meetings ✓ Document requests ✓ Administrative tasks ✓ Postage and printing ✓ Insurance administration ✓ Contractor coordination ✓ Special projects ✓ Tribunal or dispute-related administration ✓ Additional reporting
👥 Manager Capacity & Support
The right manager needs enough time and resources to support your building:
✓ How many schemes does the manager currently manage? ✓ How large are those schemes? ✓ Who will be our day-to-day contact? ✓ Will we have a dedicated manager? ✓ What happens when our manager is away? ✓ Does the company have a support team?
📄 Contract & Appointment Terms
Before signing, make sure you understand:
✓ Contract length ✓ Renewal terms ✓ Notice periods ✓ Termination provisions ✓ Management fees ✓ Additional charges ✓ Handover requirements
Don't compare price alone.
Imagine you receive three quotes:
💼 Manager A: $8,000 per year 💼 Manager B: $9,000 per year 💼 Manager C: $10,000 per year
At first glance, Manager A looks like the obvious choice.
But what if Manager A charges separately for several services that are already included in Manager C's fee?
The cheapest quote could ultimately cost more.
That's why a good strata manager comparison should look at more than the annual management fee.
You want to understand: Price + inclusions + service + experience + responsiveness + contract terms.
A simpler way to compare strata managers.