When it comes to the maintenance of the facade of a building, we talk about the three ‘Ps’. It refers to the vision you have for the building, and by considering each of the factors, you will be easily able to determine how to choose the right commercial cleaning or maintenance team.
First up is ‘perception’. The ‘curb appeal’ your building gives off is important for how people see it, and therefore your business. A well maintained, attractive building gives the perception that the company operating there is of high quality; they invest in their business and pay attention to detail.
‘Prevention’ refers to the annual maintenance you need to perform on a building to prevent it from falling into disrepair or becoming damaged. So, for example, ensuring the gutters are clean and well maintained to avoid water damage and leaks.
Finally, ‘Preservation’ has to do with maintenance work to fix anything that is currently broken or needs attention.
The Three P’s of Facades
When it comes to the façade of a commercial building, there are times when you may need to address all three. It may make sense to hire a professional company that can assist and offers an ongoing management service for your facades. Here are the things to consider if you’re looking to hire:
Are they reliable?
You may see many companies offering window cleaning services, but you need to check their credentials to see if they specialise in façade management. Professional contractors will use the correct cleaning agent and equipment for your building, reducing the risk of damage to the exterior. They’ll also have the expertise and training to adhere to safety standards and keep the site clean.
Do they have experience?
You want the crew to finish the work quickly and efficiently, without cutting corners. Those that have been in business for many years will understand the cleaning needs of their clients better. They will have handled different façade cleaning projects and know what it takes to complete them.
Do they offer competitive pricing?
Calling in the experts to clean the façade of your building doesn’t mean you will have to pay a premium. When quoting, most companies will be able to give you a cost estimate along with an approximate time for completing the job. This means you won’t be in for nasty shocks if the labour costs run over because the company didn’t have the experience or knowledge to quote accurately.
Are their staff professionals?
When you’ve got contractors working on your premises, you want them to adhere to your business’s values and professionalism. You need to ensure that the staff members hired by the contractor have had the required training and safety checks too. You won’t have to worry about your clients or employees interacting with untrustworthy individuals.
Embarking on cleaning the façade of your commercial building comes with a few steps and decisions to make before you take the leap. Here are some things to consider.
- You can ask for test samples. Ask upfront about what products and processes they recommend for cleaning. You can even ask them to test a patch to see if it gives you the quality of results you are after.
- Ask them for a plan. If you have a large site, it makes sense to phase the cleaning project. This allows you to manage the safety and other practicalities that may impact your staff and customers. It also keeps things contained so you can monitor the process.
- What’s their track record? It’s a good idea to ask your contractor to supply references to check on the work they have done on a similar building. Ask them to share their credentials and clarify how they will manage the project, including the all-important health and safety requirements.
- Should it be a one-off project? There’s a bigger picture here. Some areas of your building may require cleaning more regularly than others. Most contractors will quote as an annual package, but ask them if the spot cleaning can be done at a reduced rate.
- To get the full value and save yourself both time and money, also investigate what other maintenance areas they can handle. For example, repairing and cleaning gutters. Or installing pest prevention spikes. Don’t overlook painting. There may be a wall that has taken a beating. The contractor will have all the necessary equipment on-site already to reach it if it is high. Ask them to quote you on repairing and repainting the wall as part of the package.
Finally, ask your contractor if they include a free building inspection certificate as part of their scope of work. Many do. This is just another benefit of choosing to work with a professional team that can take on a range of building maintenance of a commercial property.
Check here for useful tips about maintaining your bare floors and carpets.
