5 Tips to Decrease Your Exterior Maintenance Costs (Without Cutting Quality)

While the Great Recession may be behind us, leaner, meaner operating models are here to stay. And for many Facilities Managers, this means working harder than ever to do more with less. Meeting the bottom line doesn't have to mean cutting corners; nor should it mean more time at the office managing endless details that detract from the things that really matter. Here are five tips for reducing your exterior maintenance costs efficiently without sacrificing quality or sanity:

1. Consolidate Your Portfolio

Moving from a decentralized exterior maintenance program, consisting of hundreds of vendors to just a few select vendors, can yield a significant reduction in administrative and management costs, increased efficiencies, and streamlined invoicing and reporting. You’ll reduce headaches and hassle while gaining a clearer view and command of your sites. In many cases, a single call to your provider can enact changes to your program portfolio-wide, or provide detailed updates for work at particular sites — requests that otherwise might prove time consuming or difficult.

2. Analyze Your Assets

Especially for retailers whose locations vary, using a consolidated provider will enable you to analyze spend-by-site or develop appropriate scopes for the varying location types. This way, service can be customized, but remain consistent and efficient. You’ll receive a program that’s appropriate for each location without compromising a uniform brand image.

3. Prioritize

In a world full of budget constraints and limited resources, it’s crucial to prioritize which services have the biggest impact on your brand. Strategically investing in services that provide the biggest impact in your exterior facilities is wise, but identifying those priorities can sometimes be difficult. A consolidated provider can prove particularly valuable in that regard, lending their expertise to help you plan your precious budget in a way that maximizes your funds and aligns with your long-term objectives. 

4. Invest in Preventative Maintenance

It’s true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — especially for your exterior maintenance. While seasonal or periodic tasks, such as tree pruning or irrigation system checks, can get overlooked in the hustle and bustle, don’t discount their importance. Preventive exterior maintenance not only maintains your property’s attractive appearance, but it also helps avoid costly service, repairs, or hazards down the line. However, staying on top of your portfolio’s preventive maintenance doesn’t need to be one more item on your to-do list. A great exterior maintenance provider will be proactive in addressing them and keep you apprised of the progress.

5. Utilize a National Provider

A national provider typically brings a depth of resources that ensures consistent quality across your portfolio and decreases your exposure to risk — saving you both time and money. Thanks to a vast branch footprint and network of service providers, you gain access to a labor force that has been vetted and trained to operate under one set of rigorous standards. This provides peace of mind that every crew member who sets foot on your property has been thoroughly assessed for regulatory compliance, licenses, proper insurance, and adherence to the highest safety standards. Further, their larger scale often makes it possible to scale up manpower in emergency situations, such as hurricanes or blizzards, restoring safety and normal business operations as quickly as possible.