Communicating the importance of exterior maintenance plans to property owners can be tricky. Not everyone understands the need for routine care, especially when it pertains to outdoor areas. Some of your clients may have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality because their focus lies indoors, where they spend the majority of their time and resources.
Clients and supervisors need to understand that neglecting a facility’s exterior can be time consuming and costly down the line. You can drive this point home by calling attention to the following:
First Impressions Are Crucial
Not every business owner will step outside the office to consider how welcoming the building appears to others. Landscaping, vegetation, and walkways are among the outdoor features visitors notice first. If these areas appear unkept, people may assume other aspects of the business are poorly managed, as well.
Remind your client or supervisor that a well-maintained exterior creates a good first impression for the business as a whole. Ask if the facility is hosting any important milestones or events in the near future, as the building owner may be willing to schedule small projects (paint refresh, pressure washing, moss removal, etc.) to impress their visitors and tenants.
Squelch the Reactionary Rule
The reactionary rule refers to tackling problems as they occur. Of course, it’s important to handle issues when they arise. But in the facility maintenance industry, we know that having a proactive approach saves business owners time and money in the end.
Explain to your contacts a reactive maintenance strategy often involves more manpower and resources to compensate for the lack of planning and larger repairs. On the other hand, a proactive approach with prescheduled, routine care provides more budgeting control and can ensure a decreased number of large-scale fixes.
Budget for Safety
Call attention to areas of the building that need ongoing maintenance to protect tenant safety. Well-maintained walkways and parking lots prevent falls and other accidents. Scheduling pavement resurfacing, parking lot restriping, and concrete crack sealing at least annually will help keep the facility grounds safe for occupants and visitors. Quarterly monitoring of the facility’s lighting system to confirm sufficient lighting in parking lots and entryways is another important safeguard. Since safety should be top of mind for every business owner, pinpointing specific spaces that affect visitors’ well-being can further convince them to allocate resources for these types of exterior services.
Business managers and owners rely on us to provide expert council on all aspects of their facility maintenance plans. As you schedule consultations and create annual service calendars, be sure to reference the building’s exterior areas. While exterior routine care is a difficult sell, stressing the cosmetic and safety issues discussed here may very well convince others that an exterior maintenance plan is a worthwhile investment.
