2 November How To Be Proactive With Property Maintenance November 2, 2022 By sma Property Maintenance, Property Management exterior maintenance, interior maintenance, safety, save money 0 HOW TO BE PROACTIVE WITH PROPERTY MAINTENANCE November 2, 2022 | Maintenance, Management | interior maintenance, exterior maintenance, safety, save money There are many things to worry about when managing a successful commercial real estate property. You have to find great tenants that will improve your property’s overall draw, while also figuring out how to retain those high-value tenants through updated amenities or through competitive rental prices. It is understandable that some things can fall to the wayside. Oftentimes, the thing that gets shorted is maintenance. Keeping your property clean and functional is, of course, vital to successful business, but too often, property managers and owners only resort to significant moves after it is too late. Something critical breaks down, or even an injury to a tenant are sometimes the only thing that prompts owners to make meaningful changes. Investing into a solid maintenance plan foregoes these disastrous scenarios, and the best type of maintenance plan, is one that is proactive. What is Proactive Maintenance? Proactive Maintenance Plans are strategies that property managers and owners employ to avert costly maintenance issues before things deteriorate beyond salvageability. The opposite of this strategy would be a Reactive Maintenance Plan, or maintenance techniques that only prompt action after a feature of a commercial property becomes unusable, requiring either major repairs or complete replacement. With proactive maintenance, regular minor repairs, inspections, and monitoring systems are employed to keep systems in working order. There are pros and cons to this strategy, and it may be difficult to transition fully from an entirely reactive maintenance plan to one that is entirely proactive. However, the control that comes with these proactive plans are unparalleled. The Pros Converting to proactive maintenance can be a difficult thing to do, but there are many reasons to do it. Save on Costs: One might expect that investing into regular inspections and additional minor repairs might lead to increased overall prices, but the main benefit of proactive maintenance is to avoid a breakdown, which leads to major repairs or full replacements to critical systems. Major work on critical systems result in major expenses that easily outweigh the minor work that could have been done in the meantime. Spend a little bit now to avoid spending a lot later. Extend Equipment Life: Just as a regular doctor’s visit is crucial to maintaining good health, regular maintenance ensures that major property systems are performing at their peak abilities. Avoiding a breakdown, or averting major system failures ultimately extends the lifespan of important property utilities, completely removing the need of early, unneeded replacements. Again, this may seem like common sense, but implementing a proper “healthcare plan” for a commercial property takes a great deal of organization and effort. Still, in the long run, this proactivity is the best way to get the most value out of the dollar. Reduce Downtime: With proper management through proactive maintenance, the ultimate lifespan of systems becomes more predictable. Property owners can plan out replacements better rather than resorting to an unfortunate reactive scenario where tenants are forced into sudden downtime. Apartments without water or air-conditioning systems are sure to lead to dissatisfied renters - and a major hit to a property owner’s reputation. With proactive maintenance, these random, frustrating gaps in service can be avoided. Tactics and Consideration Incorporating proactive maintenance strategies into your overall plan is something that commercial property owners and managers should strive for, but there are some things to consider before making too many changes. Prioritize vital systems first, then gradually expand out as needed, and as your finances allow. Also consider prioritizing systems that see regular use such as elevators or gym equipment. These regularly tested amenities are more likely to see wear and tear, and should be monitored closer than less-used amenities. When ready to become more proactive, start with a regular commercial property inspection, as well as targeting specialist inspections according to your property’s unique needs. Depending on your property, it may be worthwhile (and cheaper) to hire an on-site maintenance team to perform your regular maintenance tasks and to help track the seasonal and periodic needs of the building. Lastly, consider investing into smart sensors to monitor your crucial systems that can automatically order repairs or inspections when certain parameters are met. Property maintenance is a key piece to operating a prosperous commercial facility, and there are many strategies that could be employed. Being proactive is the best way to put the control into the hands of the owners and managers. To schedule your proactive commercial property inspection, find a National Property Inspections in your area today. For any other questions, visit our website! Comments are closed.