What are the different types of building maintenance?
The main types of building maintenance are preventive, corrective, and routine maintenance. Preventive care involves scheduled checks to avoid future problems, like servicing an HVAC unit. Corrective maintenance handles repairs after something breaks, such as fixing a leak. Routine tasks can include cleaning and general upkeep like painting.
What does building maintenance include?
Building maintenance generally covers routine tasks that keep a property safe, functional, and in good condition. It may include:
HVAC servicing: Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining heating and cooling systems.
Plumbing upkeep: Fixing leaks, clearing drains, and repairing faucets.
Electrical checks: Replacing fixtures, testing panels, and fixing wiring issues.
Structural repairs: Maintaining roofs, walls, windows, and doors.
Cleaning and grounds care: Janitorial services and exterior upkeep like gardening.
Safety inspections: Testing alarms, sprinklers, and emergency systems.
Regular maintenance helps prevent costly repairs and can extend the life of your building.
What's the difference between building maintenance and property maintenance?
Building maintenance focuses on the physical structure and its systems. Property maintenance typically covers the entire property, inside and out.
Building maintenance generally includes repairs and upkeep of the structure itself, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, roofing, walls, and safety equipment.
Property maintenance may include upkeep of the building plus exterior areas like landscaping, parking lots, sidewalks, fencing, and overall grounds.
How do I choose a building maintenance service?
When picking a professional service to handle building maintenance, these steps can help:
Verify license and insurance: Look for a maintenance service with general liability insurance and, if they have a team, workers' compensation. Licensing depends on the job, as some tasks require specific certifications. Requirements vary by region.
Get several estimates: An estimate should provide a scope of work, a detailed breakdown of costs for labor and materials, and a project timeline.
Read reviews: Look for reviews mentioning reliability, clear communication, and high-quality work. Red flags may include complaints about missed appointments, surprise fees, or work that needed to be redone.
Look at portfolios: Check for before-and-after photos of projects similar to yours. This can help you verify the quality of their work and see if they have experience with your specific type of home repair.
Find out about warranties: Ask if they offer a warranty or guarantee on their workmanship. Many pros stand by their work for a set period. Any materials used may also have a separate manufacturer's warranty.
Ask other questions, like: What's your experience with this specific type of project? Who will be performing the work?
What can make building maintenance services more expensive?
Several factors can impact the cost of building maintenance, including:
Property size and type: The larger the building and the more complex its systems, the more time and resources it will generally take to maintain. A multi-story office building will typically cost more than a small retail space.
Scope of work: The specific tasks you need can change the price. A basic package with cleaning and landscaping will probably cost less than a comprehensive plan that includes HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system checks.
Service frequency: You may be able to make a long-term agreement that offers a lower rate for regularly scheduled visits.
Urgency of the request: Emergency or after-hours service calls usually come with higher rates than maintenance that can be scheduled in advance during normal business hours.
Specialized needs: If your building requires specialized equipment or certified technicians for systems like fire suppression or elevators, this can add to the cost.
