If you own a commercial property, the way you maintain your facility impacts your reputation. You don’t want to gain a bad one if you hope to attract quality tenants who care for the building and pay their rent on time.
So what areas need the most attention? Here’s a handy checklist of eight places you want to perform proactive care. Remember, your efforts are an investment in your ongoing success — prioritize the maintenance of your real estate.
1. Start With the Parking Lot
When your customers pull into your lot, do they risk knocking their axles out of alignment? Potholes aren’t only eyesores — they can do substantial vehicle damage and drive paying business away.
Some might even file costly claims against you. You should pave your lot every two years, possibly more frequently if you live in a region with heavy snowfall that causes substantial pitting.
2. Mind Your Landscaping
Landscaping maintenance likewise entails more than aesthetics. If a tree dies, falls in a storm or leans at a dangerous angle, you may need to remove it to prevent damage to your property.
The average cost for tree removal is between $500 to $700, but that number will fluctuate depending on the size and complexity of the job. A broad range of factors will influence how much you’ll pay.
3. Upgrade Security
Your tenants want to feel secure, especially if your commercial property consists of storefronts. At a minimum, you want to install a wired or wireless alarm system and monitoring cameras. You should place the latter to cover the parking lot so that employees feel secure when walking to their cars.
You may install interior cameras as well to deter employee theft. Sometimes, you can pinch pennies by opting for “dummies” — the mere fact that people think the property is surveilled influences their behavior.
4. Keep Tabs on Vital Equipment
If you lease commercial space to businesses like restaurants, you as a landlord can allocate maintenance responsibilities any way you like. With COVID-19 changing the economic landscape, you may choose to take over repairs of things like wood-fired pizza ovens to entice tenants to choose your facility.
If you select this option, keep an eye on vital equipment. Communicate regularly with tenants instead of waiting for them to contact you for repairs. You can catch and correct minor problems before they become expensive headaches.
5. Maintain Your Roof
The roof of your facility keeps water and the elements from damaging the structure. Undetected leaks can lead to mold growth and drywall rot. If left neglected long enough, it can start to warp your studs and lead to significant and pricey repairs.
You should perform a roof inspection every six months to check for potential weather damage. Make sure that you get the best roofing company that offers you quality and affordable roofing inspection services around you. A well-known reliable company will give you peace of mind. For instance, if you are looking for an Atlanta roofing company for roofing solutions such as inspections, why not try out Teamroofing. They are renowned roofing experts who offer free inspection and excellent roofing solutions from repairs to installations.
6. Check for Adequate Wiring
If you own an older commercial property, it might lack adequate electrical outlets to handle today’s connected workplace demands. According to the National Electrical Code (NAC), you should include one volt-ampere per square foot. You can install as many outlets as necessary to meet customer demand.
Always hire qualified electrical contractors when performing this type of maintenance. Electrocution is not a risk you want to assume.
7. Clean the HVAC System
The Environmental Protection Agency sets indoor air quality standards, and a filthy HVAC system can result in violations. States have less flexibility in setting individual rules than they do in residential facilities. You must provide individual thermostats for each separate heating and cooling system, and if you use forced air heating, you’re required to install programmable ones.
8. Promptly Repair Plumbing Issues
Likewise, plumbing repairs present mold risks, and water that damages your tenant’s property will result in disputes. You should inspect your pipes every quarter to check for leaks.
Likewise, pay attention to ADA compliance issues when it comes to the restrooms. You must provide a space of at least 60 inches in diameter to allow for a 180-degree turn. You must also allow 30 by 48 inches of stall space to allow for wheelchair access, and fully anchor grab bars into walls, leaving an inch and a half gap for hands.
Maintain Your Commercial Property With These Eight Tips
Maintaining a commercial property requires more attention than residential dwellings. To protect your investment and spare yourself liability, follow the tips above to keep your facility safe.
About the Author:
Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
