East Bay General Contractor Shares Insights
Tenants typically only interact with landlords when they need to pay rent or when they encounter a problem. As a building owner, you’d like to meet your tenants’ needs in a cost effective, systematic way to ensure good rapport and minimize disruption. To that end, you want to make sure that your commercial property maintenance team provide quick and effective tenant services both to improve retention rates and to minimize tenant-related unexpected costs. After all, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Facility managers who focus on proactive and preventative maintenance have the best opportunity to improve overall property goals. Managers should:
- Initiate a plan for preventative maintenance. Schedule routine maintenance to ensure task completion in a timely and effective manner.
- Keep a list of outside maintenance personnel handy. Include electricians, appliance repair, HVAC professionals, and others to handle swift repair work. Keep 2-3 professionals for each need on file in case your first choice cannot make it.
- Pay attention to the details. Small problems tenants may not notice can lead to disastrous consequences. For instance, an unrecognized leak can not only despoil an entire unit but can also cause air quality issues throughout the building. Encourage tenants to proactively check certain aspects of their homes, and provide routine maintenance inspections.
- Prepare for disasters. Have a process in place for unforeseen crises, such as earthquakes, natural disasters and criminal activity. Everyone working in management should understand the protocols you establish and should feel empowered to take action in a crisis to mitigate damage.
A comprehensive maintenance plan should account for everything, including roofing, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, and other utility and structural needs. Check caulking in bathtubs, toilets, and sinks to prevent water damage. Keep the outside regularly landscaped both to keep up the appearance of the property and to keep plants and trees away from electrical wires.
Experienced Castro Valley Building Contractor Can Help!
Are you struggling to formulate effective, cost-smart systems for your building’s maintenance? Call our general contractor team today at 510-538-9817 to schedule a free estimate.