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We Have a Leak! Why Hiring an Expert Service Is Key to Avoiding Costly Damage

Posted on July 29, 2022 by a1_admin

Owning commercial buildings comes with expenses, and the last thing an owner wants to do is pour more into facility management services. In actuality, facilities management is a service that, over time, may save your business money in the long run. Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid costly facility repairs and stay ahead of the game with routine maintenance.

In fact, according to Statista.com, “In 2020, the global facility management market was worth approximately 1.34 trillion U.S. dollars. Facility management involves delivering support services like cleaning, catering, accounting, and IT services for professional organizations.” Facility management is an industry that has a great future ahead.

What Kinds of Costly Damages Are Commonly Seen?

In facility management services, costly facility repairs and damages occur at any given time. Being prepared is vital for any of these occurrences. Ensure staff is well equipped and knowledgeable on handling each specific situation, whether it is an act of mother nature or a human mishap.

The most common types of commercial property damage claims consist of:

Storm Damage – Storm damage can be highly destructive. They have the potential to destroy the entire structure, knock down trees, crack windows, cause the need for commercial glass restoration, cause damage to equipment or inventory, and even create power outages.
Fire Damage – Fires can be highly detrimental to the structure of a building. If not immediately contained, the entire building and its contents are in jeopardy of the fire.

Water Damage – Often caused by unknown window leaks and roof leaks, water damage can be extensive.

Window and Door Damage – Window and door damage are not always prominent, which is why routine building maintenance services are highly recommended. Cracks can quickly turn into shattered glass. Door and window seals also pose a problem for the safety and efficiency of the building.

Roof Damage – Strong winds and storms cause most roof damage and are unpreventable. Normal wear and tear issues need immediate attention to avoid costly facility repairs.

Flooring Damage – Most flooring damage on exterior plaza decks results from exposure to the elements. Interior damage is likely caused by dropping something heavy, a water leak, or a fire.

Electrical Damage – Faulty wiring and storms are the leading causes of electrical damage. Routine inspection is the key to maintaining up-to-code electrical wiring.

Facade/Exterior Damage – Weather is critical in exterior building damage. It is the first impression for visitors and is therefore vital in getting fixed as soon as possible.

Interior Finish Damage – Typically for aesthetic purposes, these finishes can be damaged by water, fire, and storms.

Characteristics of a Reliable Maintenance and Management Expert

Reliable maintenance and expert building management providers should be leaders in their field. Their team should be fully staffed and trained to handle any maintenance issues, routine or emergency, to avoid facility damages safely and effectively.

Some key characteristics of an expert building management team are:

Preparation and Preemptive – A reliable team prepares for any situation. They should also have a plan, such as a routine maintenance checklist, to help prevent issues.

Professional Attitude and Motives – Characteristics in facility management services to not be overlooked are confidence and professionalism.

Exemplifies Leadership Skills – Taking a situation into their own hands, prioritizing, and being self-motivated are non-negotiables for facility management services.

Open to Communication – A qualified expert building management leader should always be open to hearing all points of view to have a building’s best interest at the top of their list.

Problem Solving Skills – They must be able to think critically and analytically to avoid facility damages.

Balance of Hard and Soft Skills – A good leader can balance all aspects of the job.

Motivated Problem Solver – Being self-motivated is a must. A reliable team does not sit idly by and watch things unravel.

Knowledgeable Industry Trends – Staying up to date on the current trends is a vital way for facility managers to help their properties stay organized and avoid costly facility repairs.

Technology Minded and Driven – It is 2022, and technology is unavoidable. A reliable expert must be driven by this trend and use it to their advantage.

Benefits of Industry Experts and Customized Facility Maintenance Services

Leveraging industry expertise in facility management services and implementing emergency facilities maintenance services are benefits of using an expert. A few examples of these advantages are:

Improved facility safety standards

Higher productivity for maintenance

Better environment for staff and customers

Faster and more reliable response to issues

Enhanced cost and expense management

Avoid Facility Damages and Related Expenses With Expert Management Services Today

There are several key factors to consider when looking for expert facility management services. Possessing specific characteristics makes for a reliable expert in this field. Avoid damages and costly facility repairs with expert management services and contact The A1orange Group today.

What Goes Into Professional On-Demand Building Repairs

Posted on July 27, 2022 by a1_admin

On-demand building repairs are an essential component of managing and managing and owning a commercial building. Typically routine facilities maintenance is the preferred maintenance that avoids downtime of the building’s functionality and features. According to Plant Engineering, “The cost of unplanned downtime includes more than just that of the parts and labor needed to fix a piece of equipment. Both tangible and intangible costs must be considered.” However, even with a routine maintenance plan, emergencies and unforeseen circumstances will still arise, and a plan to address these concerns must be in place.

It is impossible to avoid all emergency building maintenance situations. Commercial buildings have a business at stake. Avoiding routine or on-demand maintenance is detrimental to business flow, resulting in reduced profits, loss of goods, decreased customer satisfaction, and safety concerns. On-demand building maintenance services are essential to the overall functionality of a building.

What Are On-Demand Building Repairs?

An on-demand building repair occurs when a repair is necessary and urgent. For example, when a piece of equipment or the structural integrity of a building is at risk, on-demand building repairs need to addressing immediately. On-demand building repairs occur unplanned and require quick action as they can provide a threat to the safety of the building, occupants, and employees. Some on-demand building repairs require a complete shutdown or even an evacuation, which might result in a loss of sales and profits for owners as well as compromise the safety and well-being of customers. Minor repairs are simple to put off since they don’t seem to be a big deal at first, but if put off for too long, they will become huge issues, costing thousands in damages or missed income. Therefore, timely and efficient responses to emergency maintenance are essential to the building’s lifetime.

The Costs of Reactive Maintenance–On-Demand Repairs

Equipment does not function at its best because of reactive maintenance. Systems and mechanics degrade quicker than ones that are continually adjusted and maintained. When equipment isn’t maintained correctly, it requires more energy. Equipment and structures are being run into the ground, testing their performance and causing the need for building repairs.

Reactive maintenance is still necessary even with the most robust preventive and proactive maintenance programs. Like life, unexpected emergencies happen. Although these tactics for preventative care can be helpful in some situations, they are not always successful. With proactive maintenance, there will still be unexpected breakdowns. Therefore, it is essential to have trained professionals that react appropriately to reactive issues since they will be addressing these unforeseen incidents.

Reactive maintenance costs building owners in several ways. A few of these concerns are:

Lowered Life Cycle of Assets – The life expectancy of assets, including the building itself, is reduced significantly when preventative maintenance goes ignored. This applies unnecessary stress and strain on parts and components, ultimately leading to failure.
Costs – Unexpected costs are a significant issue regarding reactive, on-demand building repairs, with unexpected downtime at the top of the concern list. Ignoring a proactive approach leads to missing typical indications or concerns that a system has issues, creating the need for costly on-demand building repairs. It also leads to delays in day-to-day business, which is detrimental to revenue.
Safety – Not maintaining a building routinely increases employee and building occupants’ safety and increases the risk of emergency hazards. Predictive maintenance raises the chances of avoiding potential issues by staying ahead of any problems with assets before they occur.
Difficult Maintenance Scheduling – Since on-demand building repairs are not on a schedule, they can throw a wrench in plans, the daily flow of business, and routine maintenance. Reactive maintenance creates urgency, and building managers must bump the tasks to the top of the list to maintain safety and prevent profit loss.

Implementing a Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Preventative maintenance is proactive maintenance, which includes routinely inspecting and servicing all working parts of the structure and its components to maintain structural integrity. A preventive maintenance checklist decreases the likelihood of failed parts while increasing the longevity of the building. Performing regular inspections also aids in reducing the occurrence of on-demand building repairs and downtime of machines. According to AssemblyMag.com, “Fortune Global 500 manufacturers lose approximately 3.3 million hours annually to unplanned downtime. That translates into $864 billion, equivalent to 8 percent of their annual revenues.” Therefore, downtime costs are detrimental to a business, and prevention is needed. This is done through preventative maintenance.

A few various repairs or needs of critical preventative maintenance tasks are:

Routine HVAC Checks and Diagnostics – The HVAC system is one of the most instrumental pieces of equipment. It maintains the overall comfort and temperature of the building while providing ventilation and filtered air. Routinely checking the equipment will ensure it is kept in good working condition for all seasons and help avoid on-demand building repairs.
Maintaining the Building Envelope – The building envelope significantly influences a structure’s climate, structural integrity, and energy efficiency. The foundation, walls, windows, doors, exterior insulation, and other components keep the heat outside and air-conditioned air inside. Therefore, ensure that the envelope is airtight and watertight to maintain efficiency.
Cleaning and Maintaining the Plaza Deck – Cleaning the deck ensures the safety of all building occupants. Maintaining it ensures the waterproofing is functioning correctly and provides protection to the interior of the building.
Inspecting Bird Deterrents in Commercial Buildings – Maintaining bird deterrents ensures that birds are not flocking toward the building and causing damage to the structure.
Keeping up with window cleaning and Commercial Glass Restoration – Routine window cleaning allows professionals to see if they need to address any issues. Ignoring glass and window issues can lead to efficiency issues and water leaks.
Maintaining Elevator Cabs – Elevator cabs are a vital part of a building. Regular inspection and maintenance will prevent minor issues from turning into larger ones. An elevator not functioning correctly will cause a slew of problems and concerns. According to ConsumerWatch.com, “Injuries from elevators affect about 10,200 people per year, with the majority of these accidents being related to elevator door malfunction, carriage misalignment with floors, and passenger safety vulnerabilities.”

Quality Control and Time Efficiency

Response time is critical when an emergency occurs. Ensure the right service partner is efficient, responsive and maintains excellent customer service. Quality and time efficiency increases customer satisfaction by meeting your needs quickly.

Emergency maintenance professionals are skilled and capable of upholding professionalism even under a lot of stress. When performing on-demand building repairs, customer, tenant, and staff safety and health is the top priority. Prompt and quality work provides a safe and effective environment that allows the building owner to concentrate on getting their business back up and running as usual.

Experience and Access to On-Demand Network of Vendors

Things can go sour fast without proper experience and access to multiple vendors. Therefore, facility managers must have a successful and active network of vendors that building managers can contact at all hours of the day, week, and year.

Every building is different and has its specific upkeep demands, requirements, and maintenance needs. Professional on-demand teams have training and expertise in all facets of management and maintenance for each particular type of building and its components. They are also up to date on all safety regulations and code requirements. These teams are also trained in emergencies and know how to handle each in all circumstances. Collaborating with qualified industry partners in emergency maintenance decreases risks.

Tips to Utilize the Latest Technology & Stay a Step Ahead

Technology in the facility management world is constantly changing. As a result, there are more technological options than ever to help perform routine and on-demand building repairs. Fortune Business Insights states, “Cloud-based solutions provide a safe and secure way to host facilities management software. They also assist companies in reducing expenses by improving security and cooperation across teams and subsidiaries across numerous regions.

In addition, the secure hosting of sensitive data, better security and scalability, and rapid disaster recovery are all advantages of cloud-based facilities management solutions. The backups are saved on a public or private cloud hosting platform, allowing businesses to retrieve vital server data quickly. In addition, secure logins enable data to be accessed with a reliable Internet connection.”

Current technology has provided a more straightforward way for facility managers to stay on top of changes and maintenance and is vital to the success of facility management. With current technology, facility managers can maintain control of all business operations and needs in one central location, creating clear communication, transparent maintenance operations, and straightforward avenues for tenants to submit and check on maintenance concerns. In addition, utilizing these tools makes a smooth process for proactive and on-demand building repairs.

Below are a few tips for business owners to utilize the latest technology:

Internet of Things (IoT) allows for real-time data collection and analysis. This data helps professionals find underlying issues and fix them before they cause processes to fail and require on-demand building repairs.
Leak Detection Tools – Leak detection is a preventative maintenance method that locates the source of a liquid or gas leak using a variety of digital instruments and technology. Professionals Technicians reduce the onset of on-demand building repairs and increase the safety of the building and its occupants by fixing problems as soon as they arise.
Integrated Applications – Implementing integrated applications for building management allows streamlining everything in one central location. Maintenance is entered and monitored in one place and can be updated and status viewed in real-time.

What to Look for in an On-Demand Service Provider

A capable on-demand building repairs service provider ensures the safety and comfort of the building structure, employees, and occupants. In this day and age, the expectation is instant gratification in nearly every instance. Therefore, a quick and efficient repair to prevent structure deterioration must be the main priority of an on-demand service provider. With this as a priority, the impact on the overall business should be minimal. An effective service provider should always combat loss of business and revenue, loss of products and goods, and risk of injury.

There are many things to consider when choosing an on-demand service provider. But, unfortunately, sometimes providers do not have a business’s best interest at heart which is detrimental to a professional relationship.

Some features to look for in an on-demand building repairs company are:

Availability – Ensure an on-demand team has around-the-clock availability. On-demand building repairs happen at random, unscheduled times and must be addressed immediately. Therefore, time is of the essence.
Trained Vendors – Professional vendors, are a must when dealing with on-demand concerns. They have the training and expertise to identify and address unforeseen issues.
Cross-Functional – Ensure the team can identify all the other issues while repairing the component. This approach saves time and money.
Local Team – A local team is vital when promptly addressing on-demand building repairs. If a team has to contact a vendor four hours away, this does not have the building’s best interest.
Access to Equipment – An on-demand service provider must have access to an array of equipment for various types of on-demand building repairs. From commercial windows to a bird proofing mishap – all equipment must be accessible.
Cost Efficient – Ensure that provider is not taking advantage of the situation and that the costs are worth the on-demand building repairs. Be upfront with a budget.
Customer Service – Providing excellent customer service is non-negotiable. An on-demand team must be efficient, responsive, and communicative.
Safety – The on-demand building repairs team must be certified in all local, state, and national safety codes and certifications. Safety should be their number one priority when providing on-demand maintenance services.

Partner With The JOBS Group to Streamline Your On-Demand Building Repairs

Building maintenance and upkeep are crucial to managing and owning a building. Therefore preferred routine and preventative maintenance are the ideal methods to prevent major issues. There are many different ways to implement preventive maintenance versus reactive maintenance.

However, not every situation is fortunate enough to dodge emergencies. When emergencies do occur, on-demand building repairs are needed. They must be implemented immediately to reduce maximum damages to the building, its occupants, staff, and the maintenance team.

When choosing a professional maintenance team, ensure that a preventative maintenance checklist is in place, that they are capable of professionalism and efficiency, and that they leverage the latest technology while providing a quality product. Taking advantage of the newest technology is a game-changer for routine and emergency maintenance services. Partner with The A1orange Group to streamline your on-demand building repairs today!

How to Reduce Costs When Building Management Needs Arise

Posted on July 14, 2022 by a1_admin

High maintenance, restoration, and repair expenses affect the profitability of a building and company. Keeping these costs to a minimum is ideal but is necessary to maintain a profitable business. Working to reduce these costs with building management systems and building energy management is vital. A reactive approach to building repairs and maintenance can result in excess spending and expenses. Investing in a proactive approach will change the game and reduce structural deterioration.

1. Work to Eliminate Reactive, Unplanned Maintenance Backlogs

It might be tempting to put minor main concerns on the backburner when it comes to building repairs and maintenance, such as commercial glass restoration. However, this is never the best route to take. Ignoring, what appears to be minor issues, can lead to much more severe problems down the road. Before these problems become an emergency in building management systems, address them immediately.

It’s impossible to avoid all emergency maintenance, but having a proactive maintenance plan in place will help alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with urgent and emergency facilities maintenance and repairs. Such a plan must include clearly defined procedures, checklists, and building management sensors to ensure that after-hours emergency maintenance goes as smoothly and swiftly as possible.

2. Use Digital Building Management Tools to Understand Your Maintenance Schedule

Multiple digital and technological tools are available to facility managers and building management systems. Accessing and implementing these tools, including building management sensors, is a game-changer in understanding a maintenance schedule. Technology intelligent building management solutions streamline tasks. Applications, systems, and software provide a control point for building repairs and maintenance.

Work smarter, not harder. Digital tools will make a project manager’s job simpler, boost the project’s productivity, and improve efficiency. Additionally, it helps to minimize cost overruns. These tools help keep maintenance on schedule and avoid unnecessary expenses. To properly plan, monitor, and carry out building management systems and maximize company operations, ensure facility management uses digital building management tools.

3. Conduct Regular Inspections and Testing of Core Building Systems, Including the Building Envelope

Regular inspections and testing of the main components of building repairs and maintenance are vital in protecting and maintaining the longevity of all systems and structural integrity. Facility managers should schedule routine inspections of building management systems to stay updated regarding each moving part’s condition, productivity, and efficiency. The interior of the building is not the only part that needs to be routinely checked. The plaza deck systems, waterproofing, and building envelope are exterior features that need frequent testing. They are possibly even more crucial as these features protect the entire interior and its components.

4. Educate Tenants and Building Maintenance Teams on How to Recognize Signs of Problems

Educating tenants and maintenance teams are vital for building management systems. All parties involved must receive education and training to help them understand possible dangers and the steps to ensure the building’s safe and effective environment.

Teaching occupations and staff what to look for is critical in building repairs and maintenance, such as failed bird proofing. Some ways to communicate this to tenants are distributing newsletters with information, maintenance tips, and building safety solutions, or even posting in frequented areas such as an elevator cab interior. Train staff and maintenance teams with clear communication and warning signs to look out for. For emergencies, ensure clear communication, assigned control points and duties, alarms, and a clear evacuation plan if needed.

5. Set a Clear Procedure for Reporting and Submitting Work Orders

A process is typically ignored or avoided if it is complicated or not easily accessible. Creating a straightforward way for tenants and occupants to report and submit work orders for building repairs and maintenance improves the likelihood that the issue is raised and dealt with promptly. Streamline this process with the available intelligent building management solutions, technology, and software for facilities management and building management systems.

6. Properly Train In-House or Outsourced Staff on the Use of Your Building Safety Systems

In-house and outsourced staff must be adequately trained with the appropriate building safety systems and intelligent building management solutions. Each building has unique needs and requirements, and teams must be trained accordingly. Know the local, state, and federal guidelines for required training and safety. Building management systems must have documented safety regulations and adequately communicate them to all employees, team members, and contractors involved in building repairs and maintenance. Everyone has a responsibility and must be informed of their duties and expectations. Another critical tip to remember is to retrain as necessary.

7. Don’t Forget to Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Assets Used for Maintenance, Such as Scaffolding and Window Washing Equipment

Typically when thinking about maintenance needs and building safety solutions, the building itself and its appliances, such as the HVAC system, come to mind. Things that easily slip through the cracks are assets used for maintenance solutions. These items can include scaffolding and window washing equipment. Ensuring this gear and all assets are in tip-top shape and are routinely maintained is just as vital as the maintenance of the building. The safety of the crew and personnel is at stake, and it is mandatory to take all appropriate actions to ensure security is maintained.

8. Communicate Maintenance Expectations Clearly and Concisely

Managers should clearly communicate all expectations to achieve the desired results. The facility’s staff and third-party vendors must be fully aware of all rules and safety and maintenance regulations. Everybody has a responsibility, and they should receive appropriate and concise training and communication on the obligations and standards that go along with it.

9. Have a Pre-Vetted Field Service Vendor Network

The right service partner and building management systems provide a pre-vetted list of vendors and building repairs and maintenance services. If one resource is not immediately accessible, building management systems should have access to a strong network of professionals who could do the task. Having a backup plan is necessary when it comes to intelligent building management solutions.

All vendors are pre-vetted and handle maintenance situations professionally and competently. Using their network of on-call vendors, facilities managers manage the on-demand building maintenance services while quickly recognizing issues, responding, and resolving emergency maintenance as soon as feasible.

10. Eliminate the Hassle of Paying Multiple Vendors With a Single Point of Contact

A single point of contact limits any confusion with communication and payment. It allows building management systems to remain organized and streamlined and increases customer satisfaction.

Intelligent building management solutions run much smoother when communicating and paying one vendor versus multiple vendors. Relieve the stress of the back and forth communication and get everything under one roof.

11. Consider Retrofitting Simple Assets With Energy-Management Resources

Retrofitting simple assets can be cost-efficient to improve energy management resources in building management systems. It can improve the building’s energy management and sustainability, lower energy costs, and reduce the carbon footprint of the structure and business.

Simple things such as adding a greenscape on the commercial plaza deck, changing out light bulbs, or switching from landscaping to xeriscaping are some ideas to retrofit a current building.

12. Know Your Energy Use Trends

Knowing a building’s energy usage trends is vital in reducing costs. This information allows building energy management to understand where spending is occurring, how much, and how often usage is happening. This data is beneficial when budgeting, knowing where to cut back, and deciphering which appliances or equipment need upgrading to be more economical and efficient.

13. Consider a Full Building-Wide Retrofit

A complete building-wide retrofit has proven to improve the building and the energy usage, the overall satisfaction of employees and personnel, and the ROI. This includes but is not limited to smart energy, insulation, creating a “smart” building, and creating a green space.

A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) states that :

“Building owners who complete a large-scale efficiency overhaul of their property through a deep retrofit can increase the asset value of their property, allowing them to charge higher rents, attract quality tenants, and reduce tenant turnover (Pearce, Dearth, and Schantz 2018). Because comprehensive retrofits include multiple measures across building systems, they can deliver several benefits simultaneously.”

Further, there are many benefits to retrofitting an office. Some examples are:

Lower maintenance costs – Reduced 9.0–14%
Occupant satisfaction – Increased 27–76%
Rental premium – Increased 2.1–17%
Occupant premium – Increased 3.14–18%
Property sale price – Increased 11.1–26%
More productive employees – Increased 1.0–10%
Sick employee days – Reduced 0–40%

These results in intelligent building management solutions are significant. The changes have shown that it not only increased maintenance costs but also improved employee morale and occupants’ satisfaction. Retrofitting a building provides value to facilities that it did not have before.

Choose The JOBS Group to Streamline All Building Management and Unplanned or Planned Maintenance Needs

High operating and maintenance costs can significantly impact a building’s overall profitability. With intelligent building management solutions, it is vital to keep expenditures as low as possible. A professional building management systems and building energy management service provides preventative maintenance checklists, proactive planning, energy tracking, and all retrofitting needs. Contact The A1orange Group today!

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