Building repairs and maintenance: 4 steps to creating a maintenance plan

Friday July 26, 2024
building-repairs-and-maintenanceImplementing a comprehensive plan for your high-rise community's building repairs and maintenance is crucial for your board and property management firm. This proactive method towards upkeep not only prevents early mechanical malfunctions but also extends the overall lifespan of your community's assets. Plus, it aids in preemptively identifying potential future repair or replacement needs. 
 
Optimizing your community's high-rise budget becomes easier with these essential steps. By keeping a detailed account of repair expenses and asset lifespans, boards and management teams can adeptly foresee and distribute funds for vital capital projects. This practice not only ensures the property adheres to a current reserve study but also provides a maintenance and replacement timeline for the building's assets. Crucially, an all-inclusive building maintenance plan reduces service interruptions, like temporary amenity closures due to required fixes. 
 
With so many moving parts to keep track of in a robust high-rise community, it may seem a little daunting to imagine how to manage and implement a building maintenance schedule to cover your entire community. This is where a licensed professional team and knowledgeable property management company can really help. 
 
But first, the preliminary question… 


What is maintenance and repair of a building? 

Building repairs and maintenance involves a comprehensive array of tasks designed to meet the specific requirements of a community. It includes numerous critical activities carried out behind the scenes to ensure the ongoing functionality and preservation of amenities and structures. 

The maintenance tasks include sanitizing shared areas, routine waste disposal, and repairing damaged goods. These responsibilities extend to the examination, revival, and preservation of communal resources such as electrical infrastructures, HVAC systems, and other vital services. 

In certain cases, building maintenance also extends to the outdoors, such as managing sprinkler systems, tending to vegetation, and maintaining the overall landscape. 

Who is responsible for maintenance in my community? 

Typically, the maintenance workforce in a high-rise community is structured based on experience and responsibilities, ensuring efficient building management. 

  1. Housekeeping: Janitors/housekeepers are responsible for the cleanliness of the property and its facilities. Their tasks include mopping floors, vacuuming carpets, cleaning bathrooms, and washing windows and glass doors. 
      

  1. Maintenance Technicians: Maintenance technicians are skilled professionals who inspect, repair, and maintain various building systems, including HVAC, electrical, and water systems. They receive tasks through work orders and report to supervisors who oversee their assignments. 
      

  1. Maintenance Supervisors / Chief Engineer: Maintenance supervisors / chief engineers play a crucial role in planning, assigning, and managing a team of maintenance workers. They prioritize the day-to-day and weekly workload by reviewing incoming work orders and considering both short- and long-term objectives. Additionally, the chief engineer handles vendor relationships and helps ensure they are completing their services according to the service contract signed with the association. 

This tailored staffing hierarchy caters specifically to your community's requirements. While your high-rise property's staff structure might differ, having the right maintenance team in place is vital. With this methodical approach, we ensure streamlined property management and maintenance, fostering peak functionality and pristine cleanliness.  

How to create a building maintenance schedule 

Work with experts. 

Wonder why building repairs and maintenance is essential for your community? Large-scale structures and high-rise buildings necessitate vigilant care because they incorporate a myriad of multifaceted systems such as HVAC units, plumbing, boilers, and water filtration systems. The consistent examination, servicing, and fine-tuning of these vital components are integral for maintaining the building's efficiency and extending its lifespan. "Building repairs and maintenance" not only guarantees the comfort and safety of the occupants but also boosts the overall value and sustainability of the property. 

Enlist the expertise of seasoned professionals for a comprehensive high-rise building maintenance schedule. A trusted community association management company is pivotal in crafting and executing your plan. The dedication of your internal maintenance team and expert external service technicians, equipped with an in-depth knowledge of specialized systems, is also essential. 

Focus on the details.

The key to a robust preventative maintenance strategy hinges on meticulous attention to detail. By promptly addressing minor problems, your community can significantly reduce repair and replacement costs. This process initiates with the regular inspection of the whole property by the property manager and lead engineer, and detailed documentation of building systems, communal areas, private spaces, and structural surfaces. Monthly inspections, strictly adhering to a comprehensive checklist, can guarantee that no aspect is overlooked. 

Make a list.

During the team's on-site property review, it's essential that they compile a list of elements requiring inspection and preservation. Furthermore, they need to adopt a preventative property maintenance schedule divided into the following crucial intervals: monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly. 
 
Experienced property management companies often have systems in place to help facilitate your schedules, like FirstService Residential Connect, which provides timely reminders and notifications when routine maintenance is required. The FirstService Residential Connect portal also delivers communications to keep residents up to date on maintenance windows, repair work, and more. 

Set the building maintenance schedule.

After you've compiled a comprehensive inventory of your high-rise property's systems and equipment, it's crucial for you and your management team to devise a building maintenance timetable. Collaborate with the manufacturers of these systems to determine the recommended maintenance intervals for ensuring peak operational efficiency. Once done, it's time to set your maintenance strategy in place. 

By executing your preventative maintenance plan, you’ll rest easier knowing you’re one step ahead. Implementing a well-planned high-rise building maintenance schedule can boost the whole community's benefits significantly. From reducing annual budget repair costs to minimizing amenity service interruptions, a proper maintenance schedule is the key. 
 
Implementing a consistent building maintenance plan will enable you to predict and budget for both routine and significant repair or replacement costs throughout the year. Regular inspections and diligent maintenance not only preserve your high-rise property's value but also enhance the living experience of your residents. 

For more information on the vital role of building repairs and maintenance in developing a successful scheduling strategy and how a professional management company can support your high-rise community, contact FirstService Residential

Disclaimer: This article is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with your association attorney. 
Friday July 26, 2024