Most HOA boards approach hiring a wellness vendor the same way: collect a few proposals, compare the prices, and go with whoever seems reasonable. It is a process that feels responsible. And it is a process that consistently produces disappointing results.
In this episode, Mike Kneuer breaks down why the cheapest wellness vendor almost always ends up costing the most — and gives HOA boards and property managers a clear, practical framework for evaluating wellness proposals the right way.
What you will learn in this episode:
The single biggest mistake HOA boards make when evaluating wellness vendors is leading with price before understanding value. A solo instructor offering the lowest rate is typically offering one thing: showing up and teaching a class. What they are not offering is backup coverage, a resident communication strategy, board-level reporting, program variety, or any of the operational infrastructure that makes a wellness program function reliably at scale.
The seven questions every board should ask before signing anything cover the areas that matter most: backup coverage protocols, performance reporting structure, resident communication ownership, program customization for your specific community demographics, instructor certifications and insurance, what success looks like at 90 days, and whether there is a revenue share opportunity built into the arrangement.
Red flags to watch for include no references from comparable communities, vague contracts with no performance standards, resistance to program customization, and no proof of liability insurance before the first class runs.
The full-service wellness management model functions as a complete wellness department for the community rather than a vendor relationship. That means the management company owns instructor hiring and vetting, scheduling and backup coverage, resident communication, event planning, equipment recommendations, and board reporting. The property manager and board set the direction and receive regular updates. They do not manage the day-to-day.
Key quote from this episode:
"The best wellness management companies don't function like vendors. They function as a full wellness department — and that distinction changes everything about how you should evaluate a proposal."
www.CommunityWellnessConcierge.com