Every business depends on a well-maintained and functional facility to operate smoothly, from restaurants to gyms to multi-story office buildings and retail stores. But with the constant demands of running a business, managing and maintaining a facility can often get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.  This is where partnering with a professional facility management company can make all the headaches of facility maintenance disappear.

It means no more wondering if the AC will break down in the middle of summer or if the plumbing system will clog during peak hours. It means no more scrambling to find a reliable maintenance team for emergency repairs or worrying about compliance with safety regulations.

With a professional facility management company by your side, all these tasks are handled efficiently and effectively. Here’s why teaming up with experts like Lee Company for facility management is a smart business move.

What Is Facility Management?

Every commercial property has a variety of systems and equipment that require regular maintenance to function optimally. This includes a variety of systems and equipment essential for commercial property operations, such as:

• HVAC systems
• Electrical, lighting, and energy management systems
• Plumbing systems
• Building automation systems

And more, depending on the specific expertise of your facility management partner.

Facility management is the process of overseeing and maintaining all of these building components to ensure they function properly, efficiently, and safely. It involves everything from regular maintenance checks to emergency repairs, compliance with safety regulations, and strategic planning for long-term facility improvements.

It’s important to note that while facility management encompasses a broad range of services, certain specialized tasks like elevator maintenance, fire safety, security systems, and landscaping may require professionals licensed and dedicated to those trades.

What Does Outsourcing Facility Management Involve?

No matter the size or type of business you operate, you might have already invested in some form of facility management. You may have an in-house team to manage maintenance or outsource certain tasks to different vendors. Partnering with a professional facility management company means handing over the responsibility for all facility-related needs to a single, reliable source.

Outsourcing facility management services involves transitioning these tasks and responsibilities to experts trained and experienced in handling all aspects of facility management.  This includes preventive and corrective maintenance, energy management, asset management, and safety compliance.

Now, depending on your business needs and budget, you can opt for full facility management services or outsource specific tasks. This allows you to customize the level of support you receive from a professional facility management company, making it a cost-effective solution for all types of businesses.

The Downside of In-House Facility Management

Is managing your facility in-house truly the most cost-effective solution? While it’s true that you may save some money initially, the long-term picture can be quite different…

Think about the time and resources needed to keep up with maintenance tasks. Are you or your team equipped to handle the demands of facility management alongside your regular business operations? The reality is that it can be a herculean task that can detract from your core business goals and drain your resources.

What about safety regulations? Overlooking them can lead to fines, accidents, and potential harm to employees and customers. Are you confident that every regulation is being met?

Then there’s the risk of burnout. Juggling facility management on top of your primary business responsibilities can quickly lead to exhaustion and decreased productivity. After all, there are only so many hours in a day. And in the current labor shortage, finding and keeping qualified maintenance staff to handle all these tasks can be an additional challenge.

But perhaps the most significant limitation of in-house facility management is the lack of room for expertise and innovation. When resources are limited, there’s little space for exploring innovative solutions to optimize your operations and enhance efficiency.

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already aware of these challenges and are looking for a better way to handle facility management. Partnering with a professional facility management company might be the solution you need. It’s a better way to ensure your facility runs smoothly without compromising your business goals.

Benefits of Outsourcing Your Facility Management Services

According to McKinsey & Company, over 50% of businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and North America are choosing to hire external companies or third parties to handle their facility management tasks rather than doing everything themselves. This trend is increasing as companies recognize the benefits of partnering with a professional facility management company.  Here are the top advantages:

Operational Efficiency

In business, operational efficiency involves minimizing waste of time, effort, and materials to the greatest extent possible. But how much revenue is lost when your equipment isn’t functioning correctly? How much time is wasted when employees have to work around maintenance issues?

These are just some of the questions to consider when assessing the operational efficiency of your facility.

Outsourcing facility management ensures these potential bottlenecks are minimized and resolved quickly. With experts taking care of your facility, you can expect building uptime to increase and operational interruptions to decrease, resulting in more productivity and profitability.

Cost-Effectiveness

Have you ever calculated the costs of running an in-house facility management team? Salaries, training, equipment, and administrative overhead can add up quickly. Outsourcing eliminates these expenses, leaving more resources at your disposal for building improvements or operations.

What about the cost savings of preventative maintenance? If your in-house maintenance team is overwhelmed with daily tasks, preventive maintenance can easily slip through the cracks, leading to expensive emergency repairs and equipment replacements.

According to Upkeep, preventative maintenance practices can result in companies saving up to 18% compared to reactive maintenance. And for every dollar spent on preventative maintenance, an average of $5 is saved in the future.

When you don’t have the time or expertise to prioritize preventive maintenance, outsourcing is a smart investment.

A professional facility management company will lengthen the lifespan of your equipment with consistent maintenance and identify issues before they become costly repairs. They also have access to supplier discounts and bulk-purchasing power that can reduce costs for materials and equipment.

Employee and Customer Safety and Satisfaction

As mentioned earlier, safety compliance is a major responsibility of facility managers. However, keeping up with constantly evolving regulations and ensuring all safety protocols are followed can be overwhelming.

Outsourcing facility management means you have a team of experts staying updated on safety requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance. They will also handle any necessary inspections, audits, or certifications to keep your building up to code.

Beyond the legal implications, a well-maintained commercial property can improve employee and customer satisfaction. Customers pulling into your parking lot or entering your lobby will have a better first impression when the exterior and interior are well-kept. And employees working in a clean, functional environment are more likely to be productive and engaged.

Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, so will your facility management needs. Your facility requirements may change whether you’re expanding to a new location or experiencing a busy season. Outsourcing allows you to scale up or down as needed without worrying about hiring and training additional staff.

Outsourcing also gives you flexibility in terms of the services provided. You can tailor your contract to fit your specific needs, whether full facility management or specific tasks. This allows for more control over costs while your facility gets the needed attention.

The Impact of Facility Management in the Real World

Let’s look at how partnering with a professional facility management company like Lee Company has made a real difference for various businesses in the Southeast.

Case Study 1: A Nationwide Industrial Plant

Imagine managing facilities across 12 locations. That’s what an industrial plant faced before teaming up with Lee Company. The focus was simple: make sure everything works well, from start to finish.

This partnership meant the plant could rely on Lee Company for everything, ensuring their equipment lasted longer and worked better.

The result? Simplicity, consistency, and cost savings. Lee Company streamlined processes and created a more efficient system for maintenance and repairs. Read the full case study.

Case Study 2: Updating 50 Government Facilities

Updating and maintaining over 50 buildings for a U.S. Department of Defense project is no small task. Lee Company stepped in to handle everything – from installing new equipment to making the buildings more energy-efficient.

We did all this work without interrupting daily operations, a key concern for any business.

Ultimately, the buildings worked better and saved energy costs, proving that good maintenance is about more than just repairs. Read the full case study.

Case Study 3: A Healthcare Provider’s Growing Needs

Healthcare facilities have unique challenges. They need to be safe, clean, and always ready for patients. A healthcare provider with multiple clinics and surgery centers needed a partner to keep up with their growth and ensure everything ran smoothly.

Lee Company’s facilities management team was up to the task, managing over 2,400 work orders and helping the provider grow from 240 to 300 locations.

Most importantly, they achieved this with a perfect safety record over five years, showing that the right facility management partner can help you grow while keeping everyone safe. Read the full case study.

These stories highlight the real-world benefits of professional facility management. It’s about peace of mind, knowing that your facilities are in good hands so you can focus on your business and the people who matter most – your employees and customers.

How to Choose the Right Facility Management Partner

Every commercial building has a different set of needs. From retail stores to industrial plants, each property requires a unique approach. And not all facility management companies have the expertise or experience to handle every industry’s specific challenges.

When looking for a facility management company, consider their industry expertise and the services they offer:

• Do they have success stories and case studies similar to yours?
• Are they familiar with the regulations and requirements specific to your industry?
• Do they offer customizable plans to fit your needs and budget?
• Have they worked with other companies of your size and scope?
• Do they have a diverse team of technicians with different skill sets to handle all aspects of facility maintenance?
• Are they transparent about their processes and costs?
• Do they have a strong focus on safety and compliance?
• Are they able to provide 24/7 support for emergencies?

When it comes to choosing a partner for your facility management needs, Lee Company stands out as a leader in the field. Our facilities management and maintenance services include everything from commercial HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services to general maintenance and janitorial services.

Our commercial services are designed to keep your facility clean, functional, and appealing, no matter its size. Backed by the area’s largest fleet of trucks and 24/7 support, we are committed to optimizing, maintaining, enhancing, and extending the life of your facility’s critical infrastructure.

Don’t let facility management challenges slow business down. Contact Lee Company today, and let us tailor a plan that meets your facility, funding, and staffing needs.