Running a business is often stressful, and it’s easy to let some things fall by the wayside. One of those things is office maintenance. When you have to deal with customers, bills, and payroll, office maintenance is low on the list of things we need to worry about. But if you’re serious about running a successful business, then you need to prioritize the general state of the office. Otherwise, you could end up sacrificing the safety and comfort of your employees.
Office maintenance isn’t just about keeping things presentable. It’s about your commitment to the survival of your business. In many cases, failure to do regular cleaning and upkeep can jeopardize your office lease and result in expensive fines and charges. You also risk a shutdown if you let structural, plumbing, or electrical issues go unrepaired. Not only are your employees’ health at risk, but you might also have to close your business
Here are some areas you must focus on when it comes to office maintenance:
1. Regular inspections
Most maintenance tasks can be finished in an hour or less, so there’s really no excuse to put off minor maintenance work. Neglecting something that can be done in half an hour can lead to problems that take a day or more to fix. On the other hand, some problems only present themselves when the damage has become too extensive for minor intervention. Rattling pipes might appear harmless at first, but they can develop into a full-blown plumbing disaster if left alone.
The best way to spot problems early on is to conduct regular inspections around the office. Don’t wait until a small issue snowballs into a major problem. Always remember: preventive maintenance is cheaper and less time-intensive. Don’t forget to create a maintenance checklist to make sure all the bases are covered.
2. Conduct repairs right away
If you do spot a minor issue during your daily inspections, then you need to issue a corrective action right away. If possible, repairs must be completed within two business days. Just as some illnesses are easier to treat if spotted early, repair jobs must be done right away to minimize damage. If you wait until the problem has affected your business, you could end up spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on emergency repairs.
Just because you’re on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can skimp on maintenance and repairs. Sure, you might be saving money by adopting a reactive approach, but the cost of fixing a major issue cancels out all the savings you’ve made. It’s best to adopt a proactive approach when it comes to maintenance.
3. Leave it to the professionals
You might think that office repairs are as simple as changing a broken bulb or fixing a leaky faucet. There’s nothing wrong with adopting a hands-on approach and doing some jobs yourself. But when it comes to office repairs and maintenance, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. The last thing you need is a small problem becoming bigger just because you made a mistake.
For starters, a repair job isn’t the most productive use of your time. Running a business already takes up most of your energies, so you need to avoid the unnecessary stress and delegate where necessary. And if you commit a mistake, you’re on the hook for additional repairs and replacements. On the other hand, a professional is covered by insurance, so you won’t have to pay extra if they botch the job.
Even cleaning jobs are best performed by a professional team. A cleaning crew will take care of the offices, kitchen, restrooms, and pantry. Meanwhile, hiring a duct-cleaning service ensures that your HVAC systems are running efficiently.
4. Replace outdated equipment
If your office equipment is nearing its end of life, don’t wait until it completely breaks down before getting a replacement. Old and outdated equipment consumes more energy, is less efficient, and is a headache to work with. Make sure to make some room in your operational expenses for the necessary upgrades. It might be expensive at first, but your investment will pay for itself through improvements in productivity and lower overhead.
Some areas you might want to upgrade include office lighting, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical system. Leaks in the roofs and windows can also make heating and cooling your office more expensive, so make sure to include those in your regular inspections.
We spend most of our time in the office, so it pays to keep it in the best condition possible. These are just some areas you need to focus on when it comes to office maintenance. Regular inspections ensure you can initiate repairs right away. Meanwhile, a professional team can do the job better than you ever will. Finally, it’s important to replace old equipment with newer and better models to keep your office in shape.
