If you own a commercial property, you know how important it is to stay on top of maintenance so that you do not run into serious structural problems or safety issues down the road. Unfortunately, maintaining a commercial building properly is not easy if you do not have the right information. At Genesis Construction, our team of general contractors has over 25 years of experience providing maintenance services to commercial properties throughout the Chicago area.

Our experts have provided the key factors of commercial property maintenance that affect the safety, longevity and structural integrity of your building. Continue reading to learn how you can avoid common commercial property maintenance mistakes.

5 Common Commercial Property Maintenance Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them

1. Failing to seek out regular maintenance services

Whether you have recently embarked on a major construction project such as a commercial build out or you have not made any major structural changes to your commercial property in years, it is always important to have a professional perform regular maintenance checks. The more confident you are in the structural integrity of your commercial building, the more likely you are to attract customers or tenants.

Many commercial and residential property owners are guilty of waiting for a problem to arise before calling a general contractor. This will ultimately lead to major issues such as leaks or mold, which could require serious, expensive interventions such as a building restoration or roof replacement. By catching small problems early on, commercial property owners will be able to keep their property in good shape at minimal cost and avoid losing business due to emergency closures.

2. Assuming all proposals are the same

When hiring a general contractor to perform maintenance services on your commercial property, it is important to consider every aspect of your property and ensure that the proposal aligns with your specific needs. Not all service providers are the same, and you may wind up with an inadequate maintenance check if you do not gain a full understanding of the services that the contractor has included in their price.

Check to ensure your general contractor will be maintaining your roof, siding, walls, and any other structural components of your property before approving a proposal. If certain areas are neglected during maintenance checks, you may need to pay additional fees to cover your entire property. At Genesis Construction, we pride ourselves on our transparency and our full, high-quality maintenance services. Read client testimonials to learn more about the past experiences of our customers or view our project gallery to see some of the excellent construction work that our team has completed on commercial properties.

3. Trusting the cheapest service

As with any other service, property owners should be wary of an incredibly inexpensive commercial property maintenance service. One of the most important attributes of a quality maintenance service is holding a high standard for safety. Unfortunately, some general contractors will compromise on your safety in order to offer the lowest price in the area. This can be done by operating without proper insurance coverage, employee background checks or workers’ compensation. If you are presented with an extremely low-cost service, look into the company’s credentials, key personnel, and insurance coverage before signing a contract.

At Genesis Construction, we offer some of the most affordable maintenance services in Illinois, while taking all of the important measures to ensure the safety and credibility of our valued team. Our excellent reputation in the Chicago area is built on great services that you can trust.

4. Using multiple service providers

Commercial property maintenance can become far more complicated than it needs to be when you call upon the services of multiple companies. This will require you to keep track of the specific services of each general contractor to address any problems with them down the road. You will also be responsible for managing maintenance schedules between multiple service providers, which can be very tedious for property owners. By searching for a company that provides all of the services you require, it will be much easier for you to keep track of maintenance and develop a trusting, productive relationship with your general contractors.

Additionally, paying for multiple maintenance services can lead to unnecessary costs as many general contractors offer the same services. You may wind up paying for two of the exact same services, while certain structural elements of your property are neglected by both contractors. Costs can also add up if one of your contractors makes a mistake, which leads to serious damages or other problems. It will be far more difficult to determine the culprit and gain compensation if you have multiple service providers working on your property on a regular basis.

5. Not keeping a record

As a commercial property owner, you are responsible for keeping a detailed record of any damages to your property, maintenance work, structural changes such as commercial build outs, and any other relevant information, which could affect the safety of your occupants. Although this applies to all property owners, it is especially important if you own an apartment building in which tenants are frequently moving in and out. If this is the case, then you are liable for any structural problems that your tenants notice within their rental space, which could lead to serious lawsuits if you have not recorded the appropriate information.

By keeping a record of all lease agreements, damage reports, and contact information of past tenants, you will be in a much better position to ensure the safety of your tenants and avoid legal complications. Additionally, an organized record system will give prospective tenants peace of mind, knowing you take the structural integrity of your commercial property seriously.

Genesis Construction is Here to Help

For over 25 years, Genesis Construction has been recognized as the leading construction company in Illinois. Our team provides a wide range of services, which are suitable for both commercial and residential properties. Our general contractors have the training and experience to flag any potential issues on your commercial property that may cost you down the line. We believe that regular maintenance is the key to keeping our clients safe and saving them a significant amount of money in the long run. If you own a commercial property, do not hesitate to seek out a reliable maintenance service. Contact us today for more information on our commercial property maintenance checks or to inquire about any of our other construction services.