So you’ve invested money in commercial property and are eager to start doing business. As a new commercial property owner, your first step after acquiring your property should be to make informed decisions on what commercial services to hire to protect your investment. Some of the services to consider include:
1. Paving Services
Harsh weather conditions such as rain and strong winds sweep away sand and soil from your environment and weaken the foundation of your building. Therefore, paving services should be among the commercial services to hire to prevent damage to your commercial property. Choosing the right material for paving your surfaces is critical. Consult professional commercial paving contractors to ensure you pick a durable material that fits your design goals. Some of the materials to choose from include
Asphalt: This is the most commonly used material for paving surfaces in the United States. According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, 94% of paved roads in the U.S. have asphalt. It’s considered a superior material for paving surfaces due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainable or environmentally-friendly product. If you choose asphalt to pave your surfaces with asphalt, there are a variety of commercial asphalt companies to choose from.
Concrete: Concrete is available in different colors and is easy to mold into different designs. It’s a favorite for many property owners due to its affordability and minimal maintenance needs.
2. Roofing Services
Having a functional roof is important. It helps keep your commercial property safe from natural hazards such as snow, strong winds, heavy rains, and extreme heat. This protection makes roofing services one of the most important commercial services to hire to safeguard your property. Examples of commercial roofing services that you’ll need include:
Roof inspection: Having your roof inspected is an especially essential service you should schedule often. It will help you mitigate problems that you may not see. Schedule routine inspections to ensure your roof is always in good condition.
Roof replacement: If your roofer or inspector notices a problem, they’ll determine whether your roof is repairable or will require total replacement. The factors considered when deciding whether to replace or repair a roof include cost, age of the roof, geographical area, and the extent of the damage.
Roof repair: Not every problem requires roof replacement. Minor issues only need repair. However small an issue is, hiring a professional roofer is always recommended.
3. Electrical Services
Electrical maintenance services are among the vital commercial services to hire for building and human safety. Never overlook electrical issues, however small they seem. A situation could drastically get hazardous in a split second, resulting in extensive damage. Therefore, hiring a commercial electrical contractor is essential to address all electrical issues in your building.
By scheduling electrical maintenance services, you ensure safety. Faulty electrical wires are an accident waiting to happen. A spark from the wires could bring down an entire building in fire. You’ll also avoid expensive repairs since routine electrical maintenance checks help to detect and resolve electrical issues before they become bigger, costly problems.
Electrical services also ensure energy efficiency in the property. When you ignore issues with electrical wires and appliances, you can lose energy. Consequently, you can get higher electricity bills.
4. Landscaping Services
You’re probably visualizing well-manicured lawns when you first hear about landscaping. However, landscaping involves more than just improving aesthetics; it can also help create a safe environment for occupants and anyone who accesses the property. There are other reasons landscaping services should be among the key commercial services to hire on your property.
Your commercial property may be in an environment with a high amount of high car fumes and similar air pollution. These fumes may cause breathing issues and other health complications when inhaled. Landscaping with trees and plants will help reduce the toxins in the air and improve physical health. According to the U.S. EPA, landscaping with trees helps to reduce runoff by up to 25%. The commercial landscaping company you contract should use techniques that help to preserve the natural waterways.
5. Fire Alarm Installation Services
Fire is one of the more serious risks businesses face. Reports from OSHA indicate that more than 200 fires occur in the workplace. Having a fire alarm system is an integral part of the business. According to the National Fire Protection Association Code and International Building Code, commercial buildings must have a fire alarm system. In compliance with the set regulations, commercial building owners must ensure that fire alarm installation services are among the commercial services to hire when establishing businesses.
A well-installed and maintained fire alarm system protects you and your business. It’s crucial to ensure that commercial fire alarm installations are completed by qualified personnel. Depending on the system you choose, fire alarm installation services will cost you approximately $600 to $1,000, according to Airtasker. Examples of commercial alarm systems that you could install include:
Conventional fire alarm systems: These are cost-effective alarm systems ideal for small businesses that have a simple office layout. They consist of a control panel, alarm points, and smoke detectors. They detect smoke and heat and then alert occupants.
Wireless fire alarm system: This system is ideal for businesses that wish to retain the design and aesthetic of the building. The system uses radio frequencies to detect fires. Due to the advanced technology involved, installing this system can come at a higher cost.
Notifier fire alarm system: This ‘smart’ system alerts building occupants when there is a fire. It also shows the origin of the fire.
6. Plumbing Services
Commercial plumbing should also be on your list of commercial services to hire for your property. This service ensures a constant supply of clean water throughout your building, and that wastewater is removed effectively. Most people are smart enough to ensure that plumbing is installed correctly during construction. However, not many remember to schedule maintenance checks to mitigate potential problems. As a property owner, it’s your responsibility to hire a plumbing contractor to ensure there are no issues with your system later. Common plumbing issues that your building may have include:
Leaking pipes and faucets: A few drops of water leaking from your pipes and taps may not necessarily be a reason to panic. However, Home Climates says plumbing leaks can add up fast and account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted annually.
Clogged toilets and drains: If water backs up in the drains and toilets in your building, you have a clog. Unclogging the toilet or drains is often an easy DIY project. However, it’s best to call a professional plumbing service if it’s severe or affects a larger area.
Low water pressure: This is a plumbing issue that can be annoying. Imagine filling your glass with tap water to drink right before a meeting. When the water pressure is low, it will take a long time to fill up your glass.
7. Concrete Restoration Services
According to Houck, concrete is a durable material that can last up to 100 years. However, it’s not indestructible. Natural elements cause concrete to wear and tear over time, eventually weakening structures. To ensure your structures stay safe and strong, schedule commercial concrete restoration services as part of the commercial services to hire in your project. Benefits of restoring your concrete include:
Enhanced safety: Damaged concrete poses a risk to vehicles and pedestrians. Potholes, slick surfaces, and cracks can cause tripping and slipping, resulting in injuries. These hazards can land you in legal trouble.
Extended stability: Well-maintained concrete can last for up to 100 years. Regular inspections from professionals will extend your concrete’s lifespan.
Improved insulation: Concrete has natural thermal resistance properties. These properties are compromised when the concrete is damaged. Regular visits from a concrete service will help to maintain your concrete’s thermal resistance.
Better aesthetics: How a commercial property is a concern for almost all commercial property owners, and the curb appeal can be diminished with broken concrete. Working with a concrete service will help ensure that concrete doesn’t fade or crack. This will preserve the design and aesthetics of the building.
8. Janitorial Services
Commercial janitorial services are key commercial services to hire to help keep your property clean. The specific type of service you contract with depends on the business you operate. For instance, the services that a medical facility would require would be different than what a law firm would require. These professionals offer general cleaning services, such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and sweeping.
You may mop your floors daily, but are they 100% clean? Consider scheduling regular deep cleaning services to ensure all corners of your space are clean. Professional janitors have the proper equipment and supplies to perform deep cleaning. This service involves removing stains, cleaning carpets, removing gum, and vacuuming.
Janitorial services also offer specialized services, customized to a building’s unique needs. They typically involve specialized equipment.
9. Elevator Services
If your commercial property is more than one story, you’ll need to consider elevator services as commercial services to hire. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, commercial buildings with anything more than three stories or more than 3,000 square feet per floor must install elevators. Investing in good-quality elevators is the first step in ensuring the elevators you install are safe. Next, schedule routine elevator maintenance services to keep them in optimal working order.
The amount you spend on your commercial elevator services and maintenance services depends on the size of the building. According to Facility Management, small buildings require an annual elevator maintenance fee of about $3,500 to $5,000. High-rise buildings cost between $8,000 to $10,000.
Before hiring a service, find out what you can about their reputation. Testimonials from different clients will help you choose what company to contract for elevator maintenance services. You should also consider their customer service.
Elevator emergencies may happen at any time. It’s important to work with a company that you can access 24/7. Be sure to find out if they offer a warranty. Warranties will help to avoid extra costs when the elevator breaks down within the warranty period.
10. Air Conditioner Services
Air conditioners play a vital role in our day-to-day lives, making HVAC services one of the commercial services to hire on your property. Business owners often overlook HVAC servicing until the summer heat or winter cold gets unbearable, which can be difficult for employees as well as customers/clients. Stay on top of things by contracting a local air conditioner servicing company to ensure your systems are always in optimal working conditions.
Other than helping you stay cool during summer or warm during winter, well-maintained air conditioners also help eliminate foul odors. Mold and bacteria accumulating in the AC unit can emit a bad smell. This may hurt business by turning away potential customers. HVAC services also create a healthy environment. Businesses should create a healthy environment for employees and clients by ensuring free airflow in and out of the building.
11. Security Services
From safeguarding vital business information or protecting the property itself, security is an important part of any business. Security services are vital commercial services to hire. There are different types of security services you may consider.
You may need event management security services if you’re hosting a launch party or public event for your business. Hiring security personnel to ensure your event runs smoothly is a good idea. You may also need technical security services. This service involves the installation of CCTV cameras and sensors which can help keep an eye on everything happening on the property around the clock.
You can also choose a mobile patrol security service. Many larger businesses use this service for site protection. It typically involves security guards walking around the building looking for situations that could potentially pose a security threat.
A commercial property is a significant financial commitment. The commercial services you hire are relative to the type of property you own. Be sure to do your research.