If you want to keep your tenants happy, and your property values high, commercial property maintenance is a must. Even if times are tough, if you allow your property to degrade, it’s going to create a downward spiral of costs and problems which will be hard to overcome. From lowered property values to dissatisfied tenants, to the possibility of increased crime… nothing good comes from neglecting basic maintenance.
Genesis Construction has extensive experience maintaining commercial properties, and we know what works. Here are a few tips for keeping up your properties.
Four Ways to Stay on Top of Commercial Property Maintenance
- Always document a property before tenants move in
You need to be able to separate normal wear-and-tear from actual misuse on the part of the tenants. It’s vital to always fully document – with pictures and video – the condition of a rental property before the new tenants move in. That allows you to quickly ascertain which problems are your problem, and which are the tenants’ responsibility.
- Engage in preventative maintenance
It’s a cliche, but it’s true. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You will always do well to stay on top of minor issues before they become major problems, especially in areas that are public-facing. In addition, keep tabs on any appliances and equipment which are part of your property. They have a lifespan, which is generally predictable. If you know their End-of-Life is coming soon, replacing them before they fail will prevent larger costs.
- Be smart about your landscaping
How much time and money does your landscaping cost? You should be looking for low-maintenance grounds that still achieve a level of attractiveness. Don’t go all-out on expansive greenery; this isn’t the time for that. Likewise, don’t allow your tenants to make changes to the green scaping that could create problems down the line.
- Automation is worth the investment
We can use computer automation to control so many aspects of a building, including the landscape watering, the electricity, and the HVAC system. Make good use of this! Relatively small investments in property automation systems can save you a lot in the long term on manual maintenance and control.
Do you have a Chicagoland property that is starting to get run down? Genesis Construction can help! We have decades of experience in commercial property maintenance and renovation. Contact us for a consultation.
