Safeguarding Your Investment: The Importance of Commercial Building Repairs and Maintenance

For owners of commercial real estate, protecting the value and functionality of their investments over time relies heavily on diligent maintenance and timely repairs. Preventive efforts not only ward off deterioration but also optimize building performance and demonstrate responsible stewardship to prospective buyers and tenants.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance 

Regular and comprehensive maintenance is imperative for safeguarding commercial properties over time. Regularly maintaining your commercial real estate investments ensures they remain compliant with all building codes, regulations, and standards.  

Regular maintenance helps support the structural integrity of your investment over time, as all buildings experience some degree of wear and tear. Long-term sustainability goals are also supported by this regular upkeep in order for these properties to lessen environmental impact by implementing energy-efficient improvements in areas like LED lighting, HVAC systems, or even smart technology.

Preventive maintenance also helps enhance the safety of commercial real estate by lowering the chance of mishap or injury while on site. Regular repairs can also help improve the curb appeal of the building, which can greatly influence the impression made on tenants, guests, and clients. This not only improves the building’s overall image, but it makes people feel better - and more safe - when they enter. It’s important to note that regular cleaning is an essential component of improving the aesthetics of the building, and also helps keep systems running efficiently. 

Energy efficiency is affected by regular commercial building maintenance. Regular inspections can identify areas that are wasting energy, like air leaks around windows that contribute to heat loss. Addressing issues like this through caulk or weatherstripping can enhance the energy-efficiency of the building, resulting in lower energy bills and a more comfortable environment.

Of course, maintenance can keep various equipment and machinery running smoothly. Extending equipment lifespans minimizes the need for costly replacements. By adhering to manufacturer guidelines, equipment - like elevators, for example - can continue performing efficiently.

Implementing Maintenance Best Practices 

Regular inspections, seasonal servicing, equipment upkeep, and overall building care prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Partnering with an experienced professional can help you develop a comprehensive maintenance plan addressing the needs of your specific properties and needs.

However, there are some things you can do in-between professional inspections to safeguard your investment. Your commercial investment most likely gets a lot of traffic, and some areas of the property may be used more often than others. Focus inspections and maintenance you or your team perform on these common areas, and schedule maintenance for the other, less-utilized spaces at least once or twice a year.

1. Visually inspect the entire property every few months in an effort to identify any damage, or places with normal wear and tear. These repairs can be done immediately as a way to prevent any future emergencies that could cost you.
2. Routine jobs like changing air filters, checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and changing batteries on other select devices can help prevent problems.
3. Clean the gutters and get a roof inspection done at least twice a year to stay on top of any issues.
4. Schedule a regular HVAC service to ensure the system continues to run smoothly. The plumbing system of the building needs to be regularly maintained, as well, by fixing blocked drains, repairing running toilets and leaky faucets, and checking the system’s water pressure.
5. Monitor for mold near plumbing fixtures - if this problem isn’t addressed immediately, it can impact the health of people using the building as well as signal potential water damage or plumbing problems.

Lastly, it’s important to keep detailed records of the property floor plan, any inspection records, and other repairs to help you stay on top of preventive maintenance. Consider scheduling a walk-through of the property with a professional as a way to identify any area of improvement that boosts overall efficiency, functionality, and aesthetics.

The Value of Proactive Maintenance 

While regular, preventive maintenance of commercial real estate properties requires a small investment, neglect is far more costly. Well-maintained properties save owners money in the long-term, attract tenants, and yield higher sales prices. Preventing even minor issues supports business operations and optimizes usable space.

Safeguarding the full value of your commercial real estate investment relies on a diligent and proactive maintenance routine. Following necessary protocols and addressing issues promptly ensures you can preserve your commercial real estate investments over decades through responsible stewardship.

For more information on maintaining your commercial investment, view additional articles on our blog.