Managing a building maintenance business is quite the hands-on job. You don’t get time to sit idly or take a day’s leave. It is like running a machine; it needs to be oiled and serviced regularly, especially during the holidays. The building is used around the clock, so there will be some natural wear and tear.
To avoid expensive repairs later, you need to engage in a routine that keeps the maintenance up-to-date. It will help you keep up the profit margin and benefit from the investment. For instance, did you know that installing a new roof isn’t as easy as it sounds? You need the right experts to help you out.
The Top 5 Tips to Build Your Maintenance Business
Here are five tips that come handy when running a building maintenance business.
1. Regular pest control
Pest control should always be one of your top priorities. Pests can destroy a huge property in just a few months, leading to disastrous repair costs. Not only will you have to pay for building extermination, but also for temporary residence and the damage of your furniture.
Pests are very sneaky and you won’t notice their presence until it is too late. Don’t consider it a good thing that none of your tenants have complained about them. Conduct a professional pest audit on a yearly basis. Choose a plan that destroys all kinds of pests, including bed bugs, termites, cockroaches, rodents, and more.
2. Change damaged fixtures immediately
If damaged fixtures go unnoticed for too long, it will eventually become very expensive. Broken lights, loose door handles, broken windows, and damaged doors will make the property look worn-out and shabby. Clients who are interested to rent an apartment or office space will refrain from finalizing the deal because of these simple reasons.
Get all fixtures changed or fixed on a monthly basis to avoid loss of business and a backlog of expenses.
3. Regulate energy consumption
Utility bills are some of the biggest expenses of a building maintenance company. A yearly energy audit can give you all the details you need about which part of the building is using the most power. Use this data to further the investigation. Usually, old bulbs, insulation, and worn-out window glass increase cost.
Switch old bulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs. Replace the insulation frame or use new insulating materials around the doors and windows to maintain the indoor temperature. If the glass windows have cracks, replace them immediately. Make sure to replace the roof insulation as well. If the doors or windows aren’t closing properly, repair or replace them.
Even though these things look less important, they have a huge effect on the electricity bill. Lowering the cost will help you stay within the budget and make more profit.
4. Fire backup generators often
All building maintenance companies need to keep backup generators ready in case the usual ones fail. You need to switch on the backup generators for at least five minutes, once a week. If you don’t, they may remain motionless for too long.
Air from the atmosphere moves into the machine, and if it gets into the unit injector solenoid, the emergency generator is useless. When you switch it on once a week, the engines rev up and move, which pushes the air out and ensures good health of all the parts. Perform transfer load testing of all generators once every month and a full load test yearly.
5. HVAC system and facilities inspection
The tenants are going to use heaters and air-conditioners to keep themselves comfortable during the winter and summer seasons. Too much use can often cause your building’s HVAC system to burn out due to excessive load. When you run monthly inspections, you will get to know the filters’ conditions and replace them. Regular replacement and repair of the filters and HVAC system lowers the electricity bill.
If the new system still shows signs of increased strain, call a mechanic or technician to rebalance it. Monitor it for a couple days to see if the values have balanced or not. Other facilities that you should regularly check include the elevators, staff rooms, public bathrooms, public washers and dryers, and escalators.
All these facilities are features without which the building would be just a block of bricks, cement, and wood. If the elevator isn’t working, and the building has 10 floors, the person staying on the top floor will have to walk all the way down. The next thing you know, he wants his rent and deposit back. You will lose existing business and chances of welcoming new tenants as well.
Conducting regular inspections and audits will help you handle everything in a better manner.
