2 August Maintaining Building Entryways: The Importance of a Good First Impression August 2, 2023 By sma Property Maintenance, Property Management cleaning, interior maintenance, safety 0 MAINTAINING BUILDING ENTRYWAYS: THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION August 2, 2023 | Property Management, Property Maintenance | safety, interior maintance, cleaning As property managers and business owners, whether you’re running an office space, a hotel, or an apartment complex, setting a good first impression is important when it comes to bringing in new customers and quality tenants. We’ve already talked about things like landscaping and parking lot maintenance, which are essentials for putting a property’s best foot forward. Additionally, public art continues to be a powerful way to make a splash within the community and increase curb appeal. Still, when it comes to making a statement on a business’ culture there is perhaps nothing as impactful as a clean, professional entryway. Building owners want visitors to be impressed and instilled with confidence when they first walk in the door - not to be inclined to reconsider their options. The good news is that keeping an entryway up to snuff doesn’t have to break the bank. Follow these quick points to help secure high-quality tenants and attract more customers! Entrance Mats are an Unsung Powerhouse When picturing how you want your entryway to look, it’s important to consider all that this area needs to accomplish. Not only does your entry need to look good, it also needs to handle a large amount of foot traffic while dealing with spillover from the elements outdoors, ideally with minimal need for upkeep. With these demands in mind, no entryway is complete without a commercial-grade entry mat. Now, most commercial property managers and owners know well enough to invest in mats at all entrances already, but many don’t realize the amount of heavy lifting this one item does to keep the entire building clean. Entryway mats are responsible for capturing the majority of dirt and outdoor debris from filtering into common areas and offices. Plus, inclement weather becomes far less of an issue when mats are large enough and in good condition. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent data sets in 2021, slip and fall cases are by far the leading cause for non-lethal emergency room visits in the U.S. Though it may sound simple, entrance mats are one of the best ways to keep tenants and visitors safe from injury upon arrival. Property managers should plan to replace mats when worn or damaged so they can continue to be the workhorse they’re meant to be for the entire building. Start strong by investing in a high-quality, commercial-grade entrance mat with rubber backings for stability, then consider adding an additional outdoor mat to keep as much dirt and clutter contained to one area as possible. Natural Light Should be a Priority Entrance mats alone will work wonders for safety and cleanliness if you aren’t already using them, but with that aside, the next most influential factor that enhances an entryway’s look and feel is its lighting. Humans crave natural lighting, and in an era when workers are getting less of it than ever, natural lighting has become a top attraction (see the number one “office perk” according to the Harvard Business Review). Although windows and glass doors take some effort to keep clean, entrances are likely the best opportunity to feed natural light into your commercial property. Achieve the best effect by hiring professional glass cleaners at least twice a year, then consider incorporating glass cleaning into your staff’s routine on a weekly basis. As a quick additional tip for areas that are darker than average, add mirrors and other reflective surfaces to your lobbies or common areas to enhance any natural light that you do have access to. While these areas add another noticeable area to clean, they’re a great way to modernize and decorate a space. Common Areas Stepping into the main lobby or common area, this is often an opportunity for managers and building owners to establish their own theme or style through wall art, plants, and furniture. With these areas, it’s important to keep things clean and up-to-date while not adding too much to your staff’s existing duties. For consistent maintenance, remember to vacuum carpeted areas and mop tiled floors regularly, making repairs as needed. When it comes to updating these areas, remember that changes don’t always have to be overly elaborate to retain a fresh feel. Just like in residential properties, a fresh coat of paint alone has the power to bring a room stuck in the 70s back to the present day, and indoor plants (even fake ones) can provide a positive effect on an individual’s psychology (see more about this from experts at Bob Vila). Property managers that recognize their entrance’s influence can potentially increase tenant retention and provide a helpful boost to foot traffic. The power of a good first impression cannot be understated. Employ these steps, and find the hidden potential in your properties! Did you order a maintenance inspection this year? For larger properties, the only way to stay ahead of unexpected downtime or expensive breakdowns is through a commercial inspection with NPI. Book your next inspection today! Comments are closed.