When you have a physical store or office, it means you are not just responsible for the everyday dealings in your business, but for the maintenance of the store or office itself. Building maintenance is an important component of making sure your business stays on the top. It includes a wide variety of tasks that happen behind the scenes. Maintenance work is unglamorous work, but it’s something no entrepreneur can ignore or neglect.
Inspecting, Repairing, and Replacing
These are the three things most important in building maintenance: inspection, repair, and replacement. You have to thoroughly and regularly inspect the building. If there are problems in the building and its systems, you have to repair them. And if they cannot be repaired, then you have to replace them. That is the cycle that encompasses the maintenance of a building and the assurance that your office or store is in good working condition to welcome your customers.
Garbage Collection
The first and most basic part of maintaining a building is cleaning it regularly. You need to hire a cleaning service company so they can send someone to clean and organize your office or building. Make sure also that everyone understands that cleaning is office policy. They have to take care of their own cubicles. They have to organize their tables and documents pertaining to their work.
Does a garbage collector regularly pass by your building to collect trash? Work with your local waste management bureau to find out the schedule of garbage collection. Segment the garbage into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclables. You will make it easy for the waste management office to treat the garbage that comes from your office or store.
Plumbing and Septic System
If you are in the restaurant business, this is a bigger issue than if you’re managing an office. Does your building have a septic system or does it connect to a municipal sewer line? If you have a septic system, it means you need septic tank pumping periodically. Depending on the size of the tank, you have to get it emptied and pumped every five years or so. This ensures the right flow of water to and from your building.
Electrical System
One of the most important components of building maintenance is the electrical system. It is dangerous not to get your electrical systems inspected by a qualified electrician. Make sure that all the wires are in good shape. If you took over an old building, you might have to replace the circuit box. Ask for a building inspection report, so you know what to watch out for.
How is the electrical system in your office or store? If the lights flicker nonstop, that might be a sign of a short circuit. If there are dead electrical outlets around the store, ask an electrician to check them. It’s more dangerous to use and overcrowd an extension cord than to repair a dead outlet.
Equipment Maintenance
You’re using a lot of equipment, devices, and machines in your office. For a store, there’s the point-of-sale (POS) machine, receipt printers, and barcode scanners. For an office, expect to use a lot of computers, printers, photocopying machines, laminators, paper shredders, and many more. These require maintenance, too. Instead of bringing them over to their manufacturers when they encounter problems, you can partner with an equipment maintenance specialist. They can take care of basic to advance problems in office equipment and machines.
Landscaping
Sometimes, building maintenance extends to landscaping and gardening. If you have a small patch of garden in your commercial property, you can call a landscape architect to prepare a plan for it. Remember that much like a home, your building’s curb appeal matters, too. This is the first thing that your customers will notice when they arrive at your building. Make sure to attract them with well-chosen and low-maintenance plants and shrubs.
Parking Lot
If you don’t have a parking lot yet, it’s time to rethink your option. If you have a small patch of land remaining in your property, convert that into a parking lot. This is a sign of great customer service. At the very least, you should provide parking spaces for your employees. That takes away the need for them to find a safe and open space when they get to work in the morning.
A well-maintained building is good for a business’ reputation. It means that you care about how others perceive your business. Your investment in maintaining the office or store in good condition is also a determining factor of your ability to succeed, thrive, and survive.
