Maintenance Archives - Bilt by Jaffer

Articles Tagged with: Maintenance

Exterior Maintenance for Commercial Properties

As a commercial property owner or manager, ensuring the exterior of your building is well-maintained is crucial for creating a positive impression, attracting tenants, and preserving the value of your investment. Exterior maintenance goes beyond aesthetics—it encompasses the protection, functionality, and longevity of your commercial property. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key aspects of exterior maintenance and provide practical tips to help you effectively manage and enhance the exterior of your commercial property.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Regular inspections are the foundation of a proactive exterior maintenance plan. Schedule routine inspections to identify and address issues promptly, such as damaged or deteriorating surfaces, cracks, loose or missing components, signs of water infiltration, or pest infestations. Timely maintenance and repairs can prevent further damage and costly repairs down the line.

Facade and Building Envelope Care

The facade and building envelope are the first line of defence against the elements. Ensure they are well-maintained by conducting regular cleaning, including pressure washing or soft washing, to remove dirt, grime, and pollutants. Repair any cracks or gaps in the exterior walls, windows, or doors to prevent water intrusion and air leaks, which can lead to energy inefficiency and structural damage.

Roof Maintenance

A well-maintained roof is vital for protecting your commercial property from weather elements. Regularly inspect the roof for signs of damage, such as loose or missing shingles, cracks, or leaks. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris to ensure proper drainage. Schedule professional roof inspections and maintenance to address issues promptly and extend the lifespan of your roof.

Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance

The parking lot and sidewalks play a crucial role in ensuring safety and accessibility for tenants and visitors. Regularly inspect and repair any cracks, potholes, or uneven surfaces that could pose tripping hazards. Sealcoating the asphalt and re-striping parking lot lines can enhance the appearance and extend the life of the pavement.

Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance

Well-maintained landscaping enhances the curb appeal and value of your commercial property. Regularly mow lawns, trim shrubs and trees, and remove weeds to keep the grounds looking neat and inviting. Implement an irrigation system to ensure proper watering and prevent over or under-watering. Consider incorporating drought-tolerant plants and native species to conserve water and promote sustainability.

Conclusion

Maintaining the exterior of your commercial property is essential for its overall appearance, functionality, and value. By implementing a proactive exterior maintenance plan that includes regular inspections, facade care, roof maintenance, parking lot upkeep, and landscaping, you can create a safe, attractive, and well-preserved environment for tenants and visitors alike. Remember, regular maintenance not only saves you money in the long run but also demonstrates your commitment to quality and professionalism. Invest in the exterior maintenance of your commercial property today and reap the rewards of a well-maintained and thriving asset.

If you need professional assistance in managing the exterior maintenance of your commercial property, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced team. We are here to support you in ensuring the longevity and success of your investment.

Contact us today to learn more about our exterior maintenance services for commercial properties.

Property Maintenance: Prevent or React?

Property maintenance is essential in keeping a property running smoothly and safely. From regular cleaning to emergency repairs, proper care of a property helps it last longer and perform better. But not all types of maintenance are the same – some are proactive while others are reactive.

Proactive or preventative property maintenance is done before problems arise to avoid costly repairs or downtime, while reactive maintenance is carried out after issues have occurred and when they require immediate attention.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between preventative and reactive property maintenance as well as their respective benefits and drawbacks so that you can better understand the maintenance needs of your property.

Preventative Maintenance

Inspections

Preventative maintenance helps avoid costly repairs or downtime by detecting and addressing issues before they arise. This means doing regular inspections to see what condition various parts of your property are in so that you can keep track of the health of your building and find problems before they get worse.

However, regular inspections aren’t always going to find problems, and often you’ll spend time inspecting your property (or money to have someone else do it for you) just to find out that everything is fine. In fact, that’s the best outcome of an inspection.

Understanding how often and how thoroughly your property should be inspected is also important. If it’s not looked at often enough, you might not catch issues before they become serious problems, but if you’re too paranoid about looking for problems, you could waste a lot of money on unnecessary inspections.

If you can strike the balance in your property management, however, paying for or conducting the appropriate number and frequency of inspections for your building and assets, the peace of mind that preventative maintenance inspections grant is well worth the cost.

Replacements

But preventative maintenance isn’t just about inspections, it’s also about repairs and replacements of assets before they break. This means replacing an old but still functioning asset, like your water heater, for example, before it breaks down.

The advantage of these preventative replacements and repairs is that you avoid having the asset break down on you at an unpredictable time and potentially causing damage in the process (e.g. flooding), but the drawback is that you end up sacrificing the last portion of the asset’s lifespan in the process; those last few days or weeks it could have continued to function before failing.

Depending on the asset and the consequences of it failing unexpectedly, being able to avoid a crisis or unexpected failure (e.g. furnace failing mid-winter) is well worth the cost of those last few days or weeks of functionality.

Asset Lifespans

Sometimes, minor damage or unfavourable conditions can degrade an asset without causing it to fail entirely. This kind of gradual decay doesn’t grab your attention like a complete failure does, so it can be easy not to notice.

However, these kinds of gradual damage degrade components and shorten the lifespan of your assets and make an unexpected failure more likely. This is another reason why regular inspections are important: remedying ongoing issues so they don’t decrease your assets’ life spans.

Reactive Maintenance

Compared to preventative maintenance, reactive property maintenance is exactly what it sounds like: maintenance done to react to a problem or crisis. For example, regularly replacing your furnace’s air filters is preventative maintenance, whereas repairing or replacing your furnace after it fails is reactive maintenance.

The advantage of this kind of maintenance is that you never have to wonder whether the time and money you’re putting into it is accomplishing anything. Rather than just preventing unpredictable, potential problems, you’re actively solving real ones.

The obvious downside to relying on reactive maintenance, of course, is that the maintenance failure that you’re reacting to in the first place still happened. Sometimes, this just means it needs to be fixed at an unexpected time, like in the case of a furnace breaking down during seasonable weather. There’s no crisis, just a possibly inconveniently timed repair that needs to happen.

In other circumstances, however, an unexpected maintenance failure can mean a huge amount of additional damage, like when water pipes burst and flood an entire floor.

Reactive & Proactive Property Maintenance: Pros & Cons

To summarize, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of each type of maintenance.

	Preventative Maintenance	Reactive Maintenance
Pros	Prevent failures & associated damage Protect asset lifespans Predictable timelines	Spend time and money with certainty
Cons	Occasionally cost for little/no direct return	Maintenance failure does occur Unpredictable need

Conclusion

In conclusion, both preventative maintenance and reactive maintenance are important for any property manager to consider.

Preventative maintenance is necessary in order to reduce the chances of unexpected problems occurring while also avoiding unnecessary costs associated with repairs or replacements that could have been avoided through regular inspection and preventive replacement.

Reactive maintenance is important as well, as you need to be able to react quickly when an emergency arises and take appropriate action before further damage occurs.

Ultimately, most problems should be prevented to avoid further damage or risk to the occupants. Preventative maintenance also lets you decide when you’re going to deal with a problem rather than needing to be on the problem’s schedule.

Reactive maintenance, by contrast, is a last necessity. There are some cases in which the risk of letting an asset run to failure is minimal, so it’s safe and reasonable to simply repair it when it breaks instead of spending time and money to prevent it, but in general, it’s better to be ahead of a problem than behind it.

Some amount of reactive maintenance is inevitable. No maintenance management plan or schedule is ever perfect, and factors outside of your control will, at some point, cause a maintenance failure you didn’t see coming. When it does, you need to be ready and prepared to react quickly.

Here at Bilt, we’re proud to offer high-quality, reliable property maintenance services that can handle both your preventative and reactive maintenance for you.

Our experienced maintenance personnel are on call whenever you need them to react to a crisis, and our advanced maintenance management software allows us to keep track of your building’s maintenance needs for you, so you don’t have to worry about planning preventative maintenance either.

To learn more about our property maintenance services, contact us today, or read about our maintenance service plans in our info package.

Property Maintenance Services: A Complete Guide

As a business owner, it’s important to know what kind of maintenance services are available so you can make the best choice for your needs. Property maintenance services can range from simple repairs and installations to more complex projects such as roofing and siding.

By purchasing these services, you can ensure that you’re getting the best possible service and that your property is in top condition.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common property maintenance services offered by maintenance providers and what they entail.

Roofing

One of the most important aspects of property maintenance is roofing. It is essential for any maintenance provider to have a team of experienced roofers who can inspect your roof for damage and make necessary repairs or replacements when needed.

Roofs are constantly exposed to the elements and need regular maintenance in order to remain in good condition. Regular inspections should be done every few years in order to identify any potential problems before they become too serious.

Siding

In addition to roofing, siding is another important aspect of property maintenance that should not be overlooked by your maintenance service provider. Siding helps protect a building from the elements while also adding aesthetic appeal to its exterior.

It is important for siding to be properly installed and maintained in order to ensure its longevity and effectiveness over time. Regular inspections should be done every few years in order to identify any potential problems before they become too serious.

Plumbing

Plumbing is another essential part of property maintenance that should not be overlooked. Plumbing systems need regular inspections and repairs in order to ensure that they are functioning properly at all times.

This includes checking pipes for leaks, ensuring proper drainage, testing water pressure levels, and replacing old fixtures with new ones when necessary. Additionally, plumbing systems also need regular cleaning in order to prevent clogs or other issues from occurring over time.

Electrical Work

Electrical work is another important aspect of property maintenance that needs attention from time to time. Electrical wiring needs regular inspections in order to identify any potential problems before they become too serious or cause damage to a property’s electrical system.

Additionally, it is important for electrical wiring systems to be up-to-date with current safety standards so as not to put property owners at risk of injury or fire hazards due to outdated wiring systems or components within them.

Painting & Decorating

Finally, painting & decorating are two additional aspects of property maintenance that require attention from time to time in order to keep a property looking its best throughout the year. Painting & decorating can help improve a property’s aesthetic appeal while also protecting it from wear & tear caused by weather conditions over time.

It is important for painting & decorating projects to be completed properly so as to avoid peeling paint or mildew growth over time if not taken care of properly right away.

There are many different types of property maintenance services that businesses and property owners should make use of in order to maintain their properties’ value over time, so make sure you choose a provider that’s willing and able to provide all of these and to do an excellent job at each.

Here at Bilt, we offer comprehensive property maintenance services for properties of all kinds. As owners and operators as well, we bring a unique perspective to property maintenance: we know what a business needs in order to thrive.

Get in touch with us today to ask about our property maintenance services, or check out our maintenance services info package to learn more.

Protect Your Property Investment

Owning a property of any kind is a significant investment, and it’s important to ensure that you protect your investment by maintaining its value.

Unlike an investment account which gradually appreciates value on its own, the money you invest in a property is tied to the health and well-being of the property and the assets on it. If the building or the land it’s on start to fall into disrepair, the property value will depreciate with it.

Regular, comprehensive maintenance can help prevent costly repairs or replacements in the future and keep your property looking great for years to come.

Maintenance not only protects from decay but also helps maximize return on investment – whether through leasing, selling or use as business premises – by ensuring that potential buyers are drawn in, rather than put off, by its condition.

Regular maintenance is particularly important for those owners aiming to maximize their return on investment. Without regular upkeep, the building and its infrastructure may deteriorate, leading to additional costs in repairs or having to replace parts of the structure altogether.

With proper maintenance, however, these issues can be avoided, and your property will remain an attractive proposition for potential customers or tenants. Additionally, it’s important to consider safety regulations in your area; failure to meet these standards could result in hefty fines or even closure of premises.

In conclusion, responsible maintenance is a key part of protecting the value of any property. Regular inspections and upkeep ensure that any minor issues can be addressed before they become more costly problems.

Furthermore, this protects the investment in the property by maintaining its appeal to potential buyers or tenants. Investment in regular, comprehensive maintenance is essential for any owner looking to protect and maximize the return on their investment.

By understanding your property’s needs and investing in maintenance now, you can ensure that your property retains its value for years to come. Here at Bilt, we’re proud to offer reliable, high-quality property maintenance services that suit each client’s specific needs. Whether you need our services every day of the week or just on occasion, we’d love to help maintain your investment.

To learn more about our property maintenance plans, check out our Info Package, or get in touch with one of our maintenance specialists today!

What Makes Bilt Different from Other Construction Companies?

Posted: 2020/11/27 // Renovated: 2023/03/13

Bilt is a homegrown company in the city of Edmonton. We understand this city and every aspect of it when it comes to construction or maintenance—especially our unforgiving weather.

When it comes to commercial and residential properties, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the people maintaining these spaces. Having a space that looks nice to live in or a fancy office area is always a nice have, but it is equally important to know that you have dependable property managers when you need them. 

Bilt works with property managers in providing property maintenance with a unique spin because we are owners too. With this experience and industry knowledge, we provide really a bit more than your typical property maintenance companies in Edmonton. Here is a quick rundown of how we are different: 

We Are Owners Too 

The collective experience of our team at Bilt covers all phases of the lifecycle of a building. From inception and planning to the construction of a building, renovations over time, and even tenant management, we have done it all. Because of this experience, we are knowledgeable about all phases and know what it takes to keep our spaces operational and efficient.  

Construction 

Our skills in property development are highlighted by our construction experience spanning multiple projects in Edmonton. Construction can be a very complex business with all the considerations including city regulations, planning, and the actual physical work required. We are armed with the important knowledge to bring about value in our work and efficient operation of our construction management. We have revitalized many spaces including historical sites to bring them up to modern standards, while also delving into ground-up projects such as hotels and residential complexes. 

Full Service

We don’t just do construction, we also offer full property maintenance services and asset maintenance consulting. When it comes to keeping your building well-maintained, who better to carry out inspections and maintenance work than the same people that built it?

If you haven’t worked with us before, but are considering a new project, property maintenance or a few consulting sessions are a great way to test us out before committing to anything bigger. Let us show you why we’re your best option.

We Know How to Work with People 

A building does not spring to life without people inside it. For both our commercial and residential buildings, we have skilled managers who work with filling up spaces with tenants. Understanding the right target market and groups that work best in these spots is something we are proud of based on our high occupancy rates. We pride ourselves on keen relationship management and have an on-call staff 24/7 to attend to any issues that arise to keep our people happy.  

Peripheral Support Businesses 

As part of the Jaffer Group of Companies, we are a family of like-minded business leaders with focuses across an array of customer-oriented services. From hospitality, staffing, technology, and realty, internal integration across our divisions allows us the efficiencies for support. As such, we provide this same level of support to our property clients to ensure we fulfill every need we can. Our property managers are just a simple call away from opening our doors for you. 

Office Renovations: Pros & Cons

We spend a lot of our lives at the office, so it’s important to have an office space that is comfortable and conducive to productivity. Office renovations can be a great way to make sure your workplace is up-to-date and meets all of your needs. Renovations can also help improve the value of your property by creating more attractive spaces for potential tenants or customers.

While there are some drawbacks associated with renovating an office space—namely cost and disruption—the payoff can be huge if done properly within budget. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of renovating an office space.

Benefits of Renovating

1 – Repairs & Maintenance Round-up

One of the major benefits of renovating an office space is the opportunity to handle multiple repairs at once. Renovations can help to address both small and large maintenance issues, such as replacing broken fixtures or updating outdated technology.

During a normal work week, repair plans need to be structured around the employees’ work areas and hours. Depending on the nature of the repair, this can make it difficult to find a time that works for your employees and the contractors.

To minimize disruption, you’ll need to try to get the contractors in and out as quickly as possible, handling urgent repairs one at a time. While this protects the efficiency of those working in the office, it’s not the most efficient way to carry out maintenance tasks.

Additionally, it’s impossible for some repairs not to be disruptive to workers, whether because they require loud power tools or because they block off certain sections of the office while being completed.

But when you’re renovating, the space is already empty of workers, either because they’re off during the renovations or temporarily working from elsewhere. That means that contractors have maximum flexibility to get as many repairs done as quickly and efficiently as possible without having to skirt around the office’s workflow.

With the office workflow temporarily on hold, you and your contractors get to focus on the office as a physical space alone, making a renovation the perfect time to catch up on any repairs and maintenance, as well as inspect and reassess your current maintenance situation and plan for the future.

2 – Style & Design Update

Renovations to an office space don’t have to be just about repairs and maintenance; they can also be used to refresh the aesthetic and ergonomic appeal of the office. Renovating an office can help make it a more pleasant, modern, and inviting place for employees to work—creating an atmosphere that encourages creativity and thoughtfulness.

Through a remodel, you can also update the layout of your office to make it more efficient for employees and maximize the use of available space. Renovations are also a great time to add features like collaborative spaces or separate areas where employees can take a break from their desks without distracting others in the office.

Not happy with old, outdated furniture that’s falling apart at the seams? With no one around, it’s the perfect opportunity to ship some new pieces in. The same goes for replacing the flooring or repainting.

3 – Boost Property Value

A renovation of an office space provides an opportunity to turn a dated and uninviting environment into something that’s attractive to customers, tenants, and investors. Renovations don’t just have to be aesthetic; they can also involve bringing in new technology and security systems to help keep your assets safe and up-to-date.

A major renovation can even help you attract higher-value tenants, such as larger companies that have specific design requirements for the office spaces they rent. Renovations give you the perfect opportunity to fulfill those requirements without completely starting from scratch.

The financial benefits of renovating an office space are clear; view a renovation as an investment that can help to increase your property value, attract more tenants and customers, and potentially secure higher-value contracts for your business in the future.

Drawbacks of Renovations

1 – Disruption

Renovating an office space can be a major disruption, both to the employees and the business itself. Renovations typically require the office to be completely closed down while they are carried out, during which time staff may need to find alternate working arrangements.

For businesses with a large number of employees, having them all work remotely for an extended period of time can be difficult to manage, potentially causing losses in productivity. Renovations also require a large amount of planning and preparation; you’ll need to find contractors who can handle the job, as well as arrange for alternative office spaces or places where employees can work while the renovations are being completed.

2 – Cost

Renovations to an office space can be a major investment; depending on the scope of the project, you could be looking at tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Renovations also come with certain risks; if you don’t hire the right contractors, purchase quality materials, plan the layout correctly, or anticipate unexpected problems (such as asbestos or mould), you may end up needing to spend even more money to fix the problems.

In addition, the cost of a renovation can vary significantly depending on where in the world it is being done; for example, renovations in larger cities tend to cost much more than those carried out in smaller towns. Renovations also take time, which can be a major consideration if you are on an urgent timeline.

Conclusion

In conclusion, renovating an office space is a major decision that requires careful thought and planning—but for businesses looking to improve their property value, attract higher-value tenants, and create a modern working environment for employees, it can be a worthwhile investment.

As long as you plan well, work with reliable, reputable contractors, and minimize disruption to your business or your tenants, an office renovation will be an investment you won’t regret.

We pride ourselves on our ability to carry out complex renovations quickly and efficiently, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to expand that repertoire. If you’re considering an office renovation but don’t know where to get started, we’d love to help you make your vision a reality. Check out some of our past work to see what we can do.

Why is Property Maintenance so Important?

We talk about the importance of good property maintenance a lot, but in this article, we wanted to elaborate on what makes it such a critical aspect of property maintenance for any residential property owner.

As an investor, it is important to ensure that your property is well-maintained and up-to-date with the latest safety standards. Maintenance involves everything from regular inspections to preventative repairs, as well as any necessary upkeep of various components in a rental home.

Preventative maintenance

This type of maintenance involves regularly inspecting the property for potential safety hazards and ensuring that all of the critical infrastructure is in good working condition (e.g. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical).

Consistent preventative maintenance can help you avoid costly disasters like flooding or structural failure. Think of it like an investment: the returns are a good reputation with your tenants and long-term savings. Although these returns may not be as tangible or quantifiable as resolving an existing problem, they are hugely important for maintaining a long-term leasing operation.

Reactive maintenance

Usually, reactive maintenance will be a more expensive option for dealing with a problem than preventing it in the first place. However, preventing every possible maintenance problem or failure simply isn’t a possibility.

A comprehensive maintenance plan and thorough maintenance practices can prevent most problems, but you’ll never be able to predict and or prevent everything. Unexpected weather conditions, destructive customer or client behaviour, or even honest but serious mistakes can result in urgent problems.

Ultimately, reactive maintenance is an inevitable part of owning residential property and is equally as important to maintain the reliability and safety of your rental home. Reactive maintenance refers to the repairs that need to be done immediately when a problem arises, such as troubleshooting, repairing leaks, and fixing broken appliances.

Some problems which require reactive maintenance are critical failures that need to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. In these situations, every second that goes by before the problem is handled, the solution may even get more and more expensive (e.g. flooding through a multi-storey building).

Most problems will not be massive crises, but they can still cause serious business disruptions, annoy clients or customers, and/or worsen the longer they’re left unresolved. No matter how critical or menial a problem is, the faster your maintenance solution can respond, the better.

What are your options?

Property owners have several options when it comes to managing their maintenance needs, from hiring contractors or employees directly to outsourcing to a dedicated service provider.

Contractors offer a low-commitment solution, where you only need to pay for services when they’re needed. The downside, however, is that arranging for services can be a headache, and depending on the availability of contractors, or your preferred contractor’s availability, you may be stuck getting services when it fits their schedule, not yours.

Instead, you could hire in-house maintenance personnel as direct employees. This option gives you the most control over when and how your maintenance is handled but locks you into a permanent employment situation, adding to your HR costs and potentially costing you money even when there’s no work left to do.

One way to get the best of both of these options is to establish a dedicated property maintenance service solution with Bilt. With reliably quick response times and regular service, our maintenance specialists will get to know your building’s maintenance needs just as well as in-house staff without the commitment to full employment.

Get in touch with us today to learn more.

Top 4 Qualities of an Attractive Business Space

Are you a small business owner looking for the perfect business space? Finding an attractive, valuable business space can be tricky. But with the right features, your business will have all the ingredients to succeed. Here are the top 4 features that make up a great retail or commercial business space: Openness, Complementary design, Location and Reliability. With these elements in place, your business is sure to thrive!

Openness

Openness is an important feature to consider when designing or choosing a business space. It creates an environment that is inviting and comfortable for visitors. Open business spaces give customers a sense of freedom by allowing them to move around without feeling cramped. Additionally, open business spaces tend to feel more spacious, which can make customers feel more relaxed and comfortable while they peruse the business’ offerings.

It’s best to have at least 8 feet between the walls of the business space to maximize openness. This allows shoppers to walk around the business space with ease and browse items in comfort. The amount of open space should also take into account any furniture or fixtures that are incorporated into the business space’s design. Having too much furniture or fixtures can make a business feel confined rather than open and inviting.

Open business spaces also make it easier for customers to interact with staff members as well as other customers, which builds a sense of community among shoppers and enhances customer experience. Open spaces also help create better communication between staff members, allowing them to collaborate more effectively on different tasks or projects.

Overall, openness is essential for creating an attractive business space that makes customers feel welcome and comfortable inside your store or office. By carefully considering the open features of your business space, you can ensure that visitors have an enjoyable experience while shopping or interacting with your business in some other way.

That being said, too much open space can also be uncomfortable and, more importantly, a waste of space. If you’re building or choosing a space to fit a small business, odds are you’re not going to need 20ft ceilings or vast open areas, and you probably can’t afford to waste money on them either. Real estate isn’t cheap, and small businesses need to be even more careful about how they spend their money than larger companies that have more overhead to experiment with.

Complementary Design

When choosing a business space, it is important to pick an interior design that matches what you are offering. The design should not be too distracting or boring. It should help people focus on the business and its products or services.

While a vibrant and colourful interior design is likely to be memorable and engaging for customers, it shouldn’t distract them from the reason why they’re there in the first place. How much vibrancy and complexity your interior design can include without detracting from the business offerings will depend on your business model.

A service or experience-based business model, like a restaurant, a barbershop/salon, or a club, will have more freedom to be creative and exciting than a product/retail-based business. However, they’ll need to keep in mind the tone or type of experience they want to provide.

For example, some restaurants choose to feature large, attention-grabbing murals or quirky colour schemes to ensure that customers’ experiences are memorable. Others, who may be trying to provide a more formal or high-class experience, will have less room for creativity as they need to match cultural expectations for what counts as a “formal” or “fancy” dining experience.

A product/retail-based business also has some room for creativity in how it’s laid out, but the need to keep attention focused on the products themselves puts a tough restriction on complexity and uniqueness. The right colours and materials can direct attention to the products and exude an atmosphere or tone that fits the product and target demographic.

While a simple design doesn’t distract too much, a completely bland one will bore people. In fact, flat, undecorated white walls can be such an unnaturally bland environment that the lack of visual stimulation can also be distracting or unnerving.

Your building’s interior design is a part of your marketing, just as much as it is a part of the experience you’re offering to your customers. The next time you walk into a restaurant or retail store, take a second to ask yourself what message the interior design is trying to send you. What image is this company putting forward with its specific design?

Fancier, more formal business spaces will typically have smooth, aesthetically refined designs with a minimalist or avant-garde feel. The specific design will vary slightly from place to place, and greatly between cultures, but the message is always the same: this is a high-class, high-status dining experience.

*Expensive materials, comfortable colours, and minimalist aesthetic all communicate refinement and*

On the exact opposite end of the spectrum is a place like Five Guys Burgers & Fries, where a basic, bare-bones interior featuring concrete or tiled floors, industrial lights hanging from a ceiling of rafters or panels, an open kitchen, and an extremely simple colour scheme all tell you one thing: “we’re just here to make burgers, nothing fancy.”

More than being uninterested in portraying a classy or fancy atmosphere, Five Guys keeps their interiors deliberately basic, barer even than similar restaurants. In the first example, the aesthetic flourishes and expensive materials communicate status. In a Five Guys, their absence communicates confidence that their food is good enough that they don’t need to charm you with aesthetics.

Neither one of these approaches to design is inherently better or worse; they’re just aiming at different goals and different demographics. Each one is deliberately sending a different message.

In designing or choosing your business space, you need to keep in mind the practicalities as well as the message you’re trying to send your customers. What’s your ideal customer, and how do you want them to see you? What do you want them to believe about your company?

Location

The importance of having a highly visible, accessible, and functional business location cannot be underestimated. Having an excellent location is key to getting the necessary customer foot traffic for business growth and success.

First of all, a business should be located in an area with sufficient foot traffic. A retail business may need a spot on a major street or shopping center, while a business offering services may need to invest in prime real estate that attracts customers from the surrounding neighborhood. A good business location should also be easily visible and accessible – there’s no point in being located somewhere that potential customers can’t find or don’t feel comfortable entering.

It’s also important to have a business location that is functional for the business model it serves. For example, if you’re running a restaurant business, you’ll want to find a place with enough room inside for seating as well as outside space for outdoor dining when weather permits. If you’re running an online store, you’ll need storage for products and warehouses for the shipment of your items. In short, any business should strive to find a suitable spot where everything needed for its operations fits into one convenient area.

The benefits of having an ideal business location go beyond just the practical; it can also affect how customers view your business credibility-wise as well as their sense of comfort when they visit your establishment.

If a business is located in an up-and-coming area or part of town known for its lively atmosphere, it can give off an air of modernity and sophistication that will attract more customers than one located in run-down parts of town or one surrounded by empty lots and shabby buildings. On the other hand, if customers feel unsafe entering your establishment due to its poorly lit surroundings or unfavourable reputation in the neighbourhood, they will most likely not spend money at your business – even if you offer high-quality service or products at low prices!

Ultimately, choosing the right location has many factors involved, such as foot traffic level and type (pedestrian/vehicular), visibility/accessibility from nearby streets and other businesses in the area, amount of space available both inside and outside (if applicable), related amenities nearby (parking spaces/public transportation) etc., so keep these considerations in mind when selecting your ideal business location!

Reliability

Having reliable infrastructure and equipment is vital for business success, as it helps to minimize business costs and prevent disruptions to business operations. Not only does having reliable systems and hardware offer cost savings, but it also ensures that a business can provide uninterrupted service to its customers.

First of all, business owners should ensure that their business space is well maintained and regularly serviced in order to avoid costly repairs or replacements. This includes checking lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, HVAC systems, elevators and escalators, electrical outlets, fire suppression systems etc., on a regular basis. Regular maintenance ensures that each system functions optimally, thus reducing the chances of malfunctioning or breakdowns which can cause business disruption. Additionally, business owners should consider investing in energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting or energy-saving appliances in order to reduce energy costs over time.

Another important factor for business continuity is having the right tools and equipment available at all times. This means making sure you have enough computers and office supplies on hand so employees can continue with their work without interruption if a product breaks down suddenly or needs repair. Businesses should also invest in quality machinery for manufacturing processes; this not only improves efficiency but also reduces downtime due to malfunctioning parts or lack of maintenance.

Overall, ensuring reliability in infrastructure and equipment is essential for business success; not only does it help reduce costs by preventing unnecessary repairs or replacements, but it also minimizes business disruption by providing continuity throughout any crisis situation. Investing in high-quality materials alongside regular maintenance checks will help ensure business continuity no matter what!

Conclusion

Having an attractive business space is essential to business success; it can help to create a positive first impression, boost business credibility and attract more customers. However, none of these benefits matter if the business space isn’t reliable. Without reliability, business operations are at risk of being disrupted due to sudden breakdowns or lack of maintenance. This can cause costly repairs as well as business losses due to customer dissatisfaction.

It is therefore important for business owners to invest in quality materials and tools that will last them for many years. Regular maintenance checks should also be carried out to prevent unexpected breakdowns or malfunctions in infrastructure and equipment which can harm business continuity. Additionally, investing in energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting or energy-saving appliances can further help reduce business costs while improving reliability.

In short, a reliable building should be the foundation of any successful business space.

Bilt is proud to offer reliable property maintenance services as one of the cornerstones of our business. Check out our property maintenance service packages guide, or contact us to learn more.

Also, check out our construction consulting and design-build services if you’re looking to build or renovate a new space for your business. Our experienced project managers would love to get in touch and see how they can help you with this exciting step forward.

A simple guide to Hotel Maintenance

Maintenance of a hotel property is an essential part of running a successful business. Ensuring that all systems and components, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), plumbing, electrical, and elevators, are functioning correctly can help create a pleasant environment for your guests while also avoiding potential disasters. By performing regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance on these systems, you can help extend the life of your property and ensure that it is operating at its best. Regular property maintenance also helps to protect your investment by reducing the need for costly emergency repairs.

At the same time, property maintenance should be viewed holistically to identify which areas are more critical than others and require more attention. HVAC systems, for example, typically require frequent maintenance to keep them running smoothly, while elevators may only need attention once or twice a year. Knowing which items are the most important can help you prioritize property maintenance tasks so that your property is always kept in peak condition.

By understanding property maintenance and how to maintain your property properly, you can ensure that your property is operating at its best and maximize the potential of your investment. With the right knowledge and tools, property maintenance doesn’t have to be a difficult or time-consuming task.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

The HVAC system of a hotel property is one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to property maintenance. Not only does this system provide comfortable temperatures and air quality, but it also helps to control humidity levels and circulation of fresh air throughout the property. To ensure that the system is functioning correctly, inspection and maintenance should be completed regularly.

Inspection of the HVAC system should be done at least twice a year, while repairs or maintenance should be done as needed. During an inspection, technicians will check for any signs of wear or damage to the components and make sure that all parts are working properly. This includes checking the air filters, blowers, and evaporator coils for any obstructions or signs of damage.

In addition to inspection and repairs, regular preventative maintenance should also be done on the HVAC system to keep it operating at its best. This includes checking and cleaning the air ducts, adjusting the fan speed, replacing worn parts, and ensuring that the system is properly insulated.

By performing regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance on your property’s HVAC system, you can help ensure it is functioning correctly and provide a comfortable environment for your guests. This can help to extend the life of the system while also reducing the risk of costly emergency repairs in the future.

Plumbing

The plumbing system in a hotel property is one of the most complex and important aspects to consider when it comes to property maintenance. From toilets, faucets, and showers to drains, pipes, and septic systems, ensuring that all components are functioning correctly can help provide guests with a comfortable stay while also avoiding costly damage due to faulty plumbing.

Regular inspection and maintenance are essential for keeping the property’s plumbing system running smoothly. This includes checking for any signs of wear or damage to the components, as well as making sure that all parts are connected properly and functioning correctly. If a repair is needed, it should be done promptly to avoid further damage and potential emergencies.

In addition to inspection and repairs, the property’s plumbing system should also be maintained regularly. This includes checking for any clogs or blockages in the pipes, tightening connections, and replacing worn parts as needed.

By performing regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance on your property’s plumbing system, you can help ensure it is functioning correctly and provide a comfortable property for your guests. This can help to extend the life of the system while also minimizing the risk of costly emergency repairs in the future.

Electrical

The electrical system of a hotel property is one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to property maintenance. Not only can faulty electrical systems be dangerous, but they can also lead to costly repairs in the future if not properly maintained.

Inspection and testing of the property’s electrical system should be done regularly to ensure that all components are functioning correctly and safely. This includes checking for any signs of wear or damage to the components, as well as making sure that all parts are connected properly and securely.

In addition to inspection and repairs, property personnel should also be sure to perform regular preventive maintenance on all electrical systems. This includes checking for any loose wires or damaged components, making sure that all outlets are properly grounded, and ensuring that the property’s wiring is up-to-date with current building codes.

By performing regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance on your property’s electrical system, you can help ensure it is functioning correctly and safely. This can go a long way in helping to extend the life of the system while also reducing the risk of costly emergency repairs in the future.

By paying attention to property maintenance items such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, hotel property owners can help extend the life of their property while also minimizing the risk of costly emergency repairs. Regular inspections, repairs, and preventive maintenance are essential for ensuring that all components are functioning correctly and safely. By following this advice, property owners can help to ensure their property is comfortable and safe for guests while also avoiding any unexpected expenses down the road.

Elevators

Elevators are an important part of any hotel property and should be given special attention when it comes to property maintenance. Not only can faulty elevators be dangerous, but they can also lead to costly repairs in the future if not properly maintained or inspected regularly.

Inspection and testing of the property’s elevator systems should be done regularly to ensure that all components are functioning correctly and safely. This includes checking for any signs of wear or damage to the components, as well as making sure that all parts are connected properly and securely. If a repair is needed, it should be done promptly to avoid further damage and potential emergencies.

In addition to inspection and repairs, property personnel should also be sure to perform regular preventive maintenance on all elevator systems. This includes checking for any loose wires or damaged components, making sure that all parts are well lubricated and functioning correctly, and ensuring that the property’s wiring is up-to-date with current building codes.

Allocating your Maintenance Resources

No business has limitless resources. Scheduling as many inspections and repairs as possible, acquiring the best possible replacement parts for your assets, or buying the best possible equipment for your property, are all going to require a huge amount of money, money that will probably have to come from other parts of your budget where it might be put to better use.

Clearly, then, you can’t just throw money at the problem of good maintenance for your hotel, at least not without overspending with diminishing returns. Property owners and managers need to be able to allocate their limited maintenance resources as efficiently as possible. From one perspective, this is fairly simple:

Figure out what the lifecycle of each of your assets is supposed to be, and compare it to how old the asset is to estimate how long it will last without further repairs.
Get an inspection done, or review the notes from a recent inspection, and use that information to adjust your estimate of the life left in that asset. If the asset is doing unexpectedly well, extend the lifespan estimate; if it’s in surprisingly poor condition, decrease it proportionally.
Schedule another inspection for the estimated end of the asset’s lifespan.
Make plans and/or preparations for repair or replacement of the asset, depending on its condition.
Set a portion of the budget aside for emergencies, should any arise.

This is probably the essential framework of most property managers’ maintenance plans (if in a less formalized form), regardless of what kind of property they run. In this model, owners and operators should allocate their maintenance resources based reactively based on what’s currently causing problems and proactively based on what is likely to cause problems in the near future. There’s nothing wrong with this model, but it could be better. If you don’t think that there’s much room for improvement on this model, then ask yourself this one question:

How much influence does each of your assets have on your overall profit margin?

Intelligent allocation of maintenance resources is about more than just ensuring that all of your property is in good condition. It’s about prioritizing those repairs and maintenance items which are most likely to affect your property’s bottom line so that you can maximize the return on each of your investments.

In other words, property managers should always be asking themselves: what items need attention right now? To do this, property owners and managers should have a good understanding of what their property’s most profitable assets are and how likely those assets are to fail before the end of their lifespans. With this in mind, property owners and managers can allocate their maintenance resources efficiently and effectively.

By maintaining an effective property maintenance plan that focuses on the property’s most profitable assets, property owners and managers can ensure that their property remains in good condition and generate a healthy return on investment. With the right maintenance plan in place, property owners and managers can rest assured that their properties will remain profitable for many years to come.

Property owners and managers should always remember that good property maintenance is an investment, not just an expense. When property owners and managers can prioritize their property’s most profitable assets while still paying attention to all of the property’s other maintenance needs, they will be able to get the most out of their property and maximize its value. Investing in property maintenance is key to ensuring that your property remains a profitable business for years to come.

Bilt’s Asset Management consulting program equips property managers in many industries, not just hospitality, with the knowledge and expertise needed to develop and adapt top-tier maintenance plans and practices. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free meeting to see if our program is right for you and your property.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Facade and Building Envelope Care

Roof Maintenance

Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance

Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance

Conclusion

Preventative Maintenance

Inspections

Replacements

Asset Lifespans

Reactive Maintenance

Reactive & Proactive Property Maintenance: Pros & Cons

Conclusion

Roofing

Siding

Plumbing

Electrical Work

Painting & Decorating

Posted: 2020/11/27 // Renovated: 2023/03/13

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Preventative maintenance

Reactive maintenance

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HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

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Allocating your Maintenance Resources

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