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The Deferred Maintenance Dilemma: How Deferring Maintenance Affects Revenue During a Recession‍


Maintenance is an ongoing process for any property, but the frequency and type of maintenance required in a commercial property can vary greatly. A poorly maintained building can result in more vacancies, increased maintenance costs, and longer periods of time between tenants. To prevent these issues, it’s important to keep your commercial property in top condition. Maintaining your commercial property in excellent condition becomes even more important during tough economic times when vacancy rates rise through the roof. Having a maintenance plan in place specifically tailored to your property is crucial.


Read on for some insight into why regular maintenance is so important and how you can do it on a budget while still protecting your assets during a recession.


Not Taking Care of Your Commercial Property Can Affect Your Relationship with Existing Tenants


There is nothing that will strain your relationship between you and your tenants, like the lack of air conditioning on a scorching summer day. They'll tolerate leaks in the roof and potholes in the pavement better than sweating working at their desks on a daily basis. Therefore, maintaining your HVAC system should be an absolute priority and investing into new equipment when necessary is likely to be a worthwhile investment to keep your tenants content and inclined to be able to renew their leases in the future.


Upgrades to bathrooms as well as common areas, lobbies, elevators and hallways are just a few areas of deferred maintenance that can also greatly impact the relationship you have with your tenants. Things like improving ventilation by upgrading existing fixtures, revamping work spaces and installing new equipment in your bathrooms can also be beneficial. These items are prominently displayed to your tenants since they're things that they touch, see, and interact with all day long. The condition of their place of work also affects the image they project to those who come to their building to conduct business. Consequently the more appealing the image of your buildings, the more revenue you and your tenant can earn which will likely increase lease renewals.


Not maintaining your commercial property can lead to complications when it comes to lease renewals and revenue especially during times of economic uncertainty. Commercial property owners and managers may experience tenants being less likely to renew leases if the property is not being well taken care of, as this can lead to a decrease in the value of your asset. Additionally, tenants may end up paying more in increased costs upon lease renewal if the property had not been maintained properly. This can lead to a decrease in revenue for commercial property owners and managers if they are unable to retain current tenants or have to charge more for the commercial property.


Your Commercial Property’s Curb Appeal Will Attract Future Tenants and Increase Foot Traffic


You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.


The first impression is important in attracting customers and clients, as well as potential tenants/businesses looking to lease space. A well kept and maintained commercial property is good for business.

  • Keep a clean and safe parking lot - Parking lot sweeping removes dirt, dust, leaves and other debris from the parking lot surface. This helps to improve the curb appeal of the property, reduce the risk of accidents, and decrease the property’s environmental footprint by cleaning up potential pollutants from your parking lot.

  • Brighten up your curb appeal - You can remove dirt, grease, and other grime from building exteriors with power washing. It also removes graffiti and other unsightly markings. Power washing can be a cost-effective way to cleanse and brighten up the exterior of commercial buildings.

  • Add life and beauty to your property while reducing water costs- Effective landscaping and irrigation strategies can reduce water usage, improve air quality, and add value to a commercial property. Improving landscaping can provide a refuge from the busy streets and help to create a relaxing environment.

Benefits of investing in your curb appeal are increasing the visibility of your business or commercial real estate and improving tenant satisfaction. By increasing the visibility of a commercial property, you increase:

  • the number of customer visits

  • positive reviews

  • revenue

Curb appeal can directly impact your revenue, potentially allowing you to charge more because of the improved aesthetics, increased foot traffic, and general upkeep of your commercial property. Optimizing the desirability of your property by improving the curb appeal will increase the chances of maintaining a higher occupancy rate during a recession.


Developing a Commercial Property Maintenance Strategy to Increase Your Revenue


Developing a commercial property maintenance strategy is an essential part of ensuring the success and profitability of your property. By implementing a comprehensive plan to maintain and improve your property, you can increase its value and attract and retain tenants, leading to increased revenue. However, having a commercial maintenance strategy specifically tailored to your property is an important aspect you need to consider prior to making any investment in a maintenance plan.

  1. Conduct a thorough assessment - It's important to conduct an assessment of your property to identify any maintenance issues or areas for improvement. This should include both the interior and exterior of the property, as well as any common areas or amenities. Look for signs of wear and tear, as well as any potential safety hazards.

  2. Develop a maintenance plan - Once you have a clear understanding of the current state of your commercial property, you can start developing your maintenance strategy. This should include a schedule for regular maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and landscaping, as well as a plan for addressing any identified issues.

  3. Be proactive - One key component of a successful maintenance strategy is proactive maintenance. This involves regularly inspecting your property and addressing potential issues before they become more serious and expensive problems. This can save you money in the long run by preventing costly repairs and downtime. For example, planning a regular roof maintenance schedule instead of waiting until it leaks.

  4. Keep your tenants in mind - It's important to consider the needs of your tenants when developing your maintenance strategy. Regular communication and collaboration with tenants can help you understand their needs and concerns, and allow you to address them in a timely manner. This can foster good relationships and improve tenant satisfaction, leading to increased revenue.

  5. Bring in experts to help review your plan- You may need assistance in curating a maintenance plan for your commercial property. Don’t be bashful about bringing in experienced experts to help you. Contacting a commercial property maintenance contractor is a good first step.

Overall, a comprehensive commercial property maintenance strategy is essential for increasing your revenue and ensuring the success of your property regardless of the economy. By conducting regular assessments, implementing proactive maintenance, and improving the aesthetic appeal of your property, you can attract and retain tenants and maximize your revenue.


Strategically Partner with an Experienced Commercial Property Maintenance Contractor


It can be overwhelming to maintain and execute an effective maintenance plan on top of running your property and your roles and responsibilities. As a way to focus on where you’re needed most and give time back in your day, work with a commercial property maintenance contractor to perform various services or manage contractors and work alongside you to maintain your property and execute your maintenance plan. Partnering with an experienced commercial property maintenance contractor is a way to safeguard against the proper execution of your maintenance plan, keeping expenses under control, maximizing revenue, and protecting the value of your asset.


You can take the first steps to ensuring your commercial property remains profitable by asking for a complimentary site consultation by Pacific Commercial Property Services . A site consultation can allow you to leverage the experience and resources of commercial property maintenance contractors in order to protect your asset. Talk to us about our services and how we can help improve your property value during economic uncertainty.


About Pacific Commercial Property Services


33 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE


Pacific Commercial Property Services, Inc. has over 30 years in the industry of commercial property maintenance and construction.​

With a humble start in 1989, our founder/CEO won a Sanitaire S663 vacuum cleaner in a raffle and started a fast-growing janitorial/cleaning business landing the first contract with Coldwell Banker. That first happy client turned into another and another and from there a growing business was formed.

Now, decades and two-generations later, we have worked persistently to establish industry-leading customer service that is unequaled in the industry. Servicing Southern California for over 30 years, Pacific Commercial possesses both the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right in the most timely and efficient manner.

Our quick response times and our staff's preparedness to go the extra mile have contributed to Pacific Commercial Property Service's success with countless satisfied customers and a 90% customer retention rate.


  • Specialty in property maintenance across multiple industries such as shopping centers, commercial buildings, industrial parks, medical buildings, office buildings, restaurants, retail, and parking garages.

  • Known in the industry for our quick response time and unique collaborative styled service. Our research into pertinent information such as code compliance, setbacks, and city guidelines provide that we always have our client's back.

  • One of the first in the industry to provide walk-through inspection reports back in the early 1990s. Our inspection reports provide that our clients are always up-to-date on maintenance concerns and preventative measures.

  • Despite the widely proven benefits of switching to preventive maintenance, around 60% of facilities are still relying on reactive maintenance as a major part of their overall maintenance strategy. With preventative maintenance measures, such as consistent inspection reports, our clients save time, headaches, and ultimately save money long term.

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