One key aspect of running a successful self-storage business is regular facility maintenance. If you’re new to self-storage ownership or you’re considering self-storage as an investment, read on.
In addition to tenant acquisition, collecting rent, and marketing your self-storage, regular maintenance is necessary to keep your business in excellent condition. Future tenants want to see a clean, well-maintained property with all fences, gates, and other access points in good working condition. Additionally, trash and other debris can attract unwanted pests and even thieves.
Maintenance can be a full-time job by itself. If the workload becomes too much to handle or you don’t feel qualified to do the work, outsourcing to a facility maintenance company is a valuable investment. Time is money, and if you’re not using your time wisely, you’re probably wasting both.
Regular maintenance on all commercial properties is necessary. Consider all the properties you may have seen in disrepair or simply looking old and worn when searching for the right investment. Old and tired properties can be a quick turn-off to customers.
According to Inside Self Storage, “Good upkeep leads to better customer satisfaction, which leads to higher occupancy and rental rates, meaning more money in your pocket.” With these thoughts in mind, it’s good to know when it’s time to outsource your facility maintenance.
- Current staff are not equipped or lack expertise for specific maintenance issues.
- Improve maintenance efficiency.
- Ownership of multiple properties.
As a business owner, it is essential to know the operational details and needs of your property. Being an on-site manager/owner/operator provides invaluable experience and knowledge that outsourcing will replace. As a business grows, it may become necessary to outsource after you have been handling the work yourself.
Current staff are not equipped or lack expertise for specific maintenance issues.
Within self-storage, the maintenance required includes trash pickup, landscape maintenance, perimeter and gate maintenance, office cleaning, garage door maintenance and repair, and trash removal as needed. If the person hired for the job lacks expertise in a particular area, it’s time to consider outsourcing the job.
Garage door repair is one particular area that demands expert attention. Each unit with a garage door access point will need regular maintenance to ensure the door functions properly. It is unwise and unsafe to ignore proper maintenance or to have it completed by someone who doesn’t know the skills required.
Another easy task to outsource is lawn maintenance. To ensure the clean appearance of the property, it is wise to consider a lawn service company on a regular basis to mow, edge, and remove debris from your property. Lawn care can be a time-consuming task, depending on the size of your property. It is worth your time to consider outsourcing this service.
Improve maintenance efficiency.
Outsourcing your facilities maintenance can improve efficiency in operations at a property. Facilities maintenance companies regularly fill this role and are knowledgeable about best practices and implementing maintenance schedules. Creating a maintenance calendar is essential to staying ahead of costly repairs.
Ownership of multiple properties.
If a business operates more than one location with an owner/operator running all locations, the task load will become too great. Outsourcing facilities maintenance is a great way to use your time and money wisely to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Location of properties is also a consideration. If you have 3 properties that are an hour from each other, the time in the car must be factored into the maintenance plan.
There are always important points to address when considering outsourcing. Here are two issues that should be considered:
- Less control over operations and outcome
- Lack of knowledge about specific needs
In choosing to outsource, trust is placed with a facilities maintenance company to assess your property and implement strategies to increase efficiency and save money. As the business owner, you still have control overall, but less knowledge of operations unless an issue comes up. It’s important to implement a system of checks and balances to be sure that work is done properly, efficiently, and in a timely manner.
Additionally, the company hired may not understand your specific needs at first, but this will change over time as maintenance is addressed on a daily or weekly basis. There are options to consider when outsourcing maintenance. Single tasks can be outsourced, or the total of the maintenance required, depending on your specific needs.
At Coastal Storage, we focus entirely on self-storage acquisition, development, and investment. Call us today at 904-591-0140 to work with our team of self-storage experts.