Author: MaintenX

Summer is fast approaching, which means small businesses need to start evaluating energy costs for the year. This is because nearly 85% of commercial facility power costs come from two different systems. Can you guess which ones they are? 

The two most expensive energy consumers in a commercial facility are lighting fixtures and HVAC systems. Most other appliances are used the entire time during operating hours. Plus, HVAC systems can last for up to 20 years, meaning many that are currently installed in buildings are outdated. Unless you are in a new building with an energy-efficient HVAC system and smart lighting, you are likely spending most of your energy on these two necessities. 

In addition to the total electricity costs, these two systems come with expensive installation and maintenance costs. Unlike your plumbing or water treatment systems, lighting and HVAC require routine maintenance that can be hard to keep up without professional help. 

The Costs

• Installation – Installation costs for HVAC and major lighting systems can be tremendous if you’re not careful. The best way to reduce these costs is to choose a reputable equipment dealer and a strong installation team that will get the job done right. 
• Financing costs – Most commercial HVAC systems and some lighting systems are more expensive than you can afford upfront. Factor in financing costs before making a new equipment purchase. 
• Maintenance – General maintenance, including repairs and parts replacement, are a part of any electrical system. Preventative maintenance adds upfront costs to your system, but can help you save in major repairs and emergency parts replacement later on. 
• Resale or replacement – Once your lighting fixture or HVAC system is no longer performing, how much will it cost to replace it? Will you be able to salvage or sell parts to recoup some of the investment? These are important questions to ask when evaluating the cost of lighting and HVAC systems. 

If you want to cut energy costs for good, talk to your MaintenX team about preventative maintenance and energy-efficient upgrades for your HVAC and lighting systems. We offer turnkey installations and preventative maintenance planned service to keep facility costs down without sacrificing your needs. To learn more about our preventative maintenance and installation services, contact MaintenX today.

Your office building is like a second home for tenants and employees. Investing in its appearance and function can not only boost tenant satisfaction but improve productivity inside the building. Whether it’s a change of floors, a fresh coat of paint, or an equipment upgrade, your new office renovation will bring many benefits to the people inside. However, renovations of any kind can get stressful. 

In order to maintain control of your renovation and keep employees happy, here are a few tips you should follow: 

Know your priorities. 

Delays can and will happen at some point during your project. When these issues arise and start putting stress on the project as a whole, it’s important to know where your priorities lie. Are you more focused on aesthetics, equipment advancements, or improving space efficiency? Understanding what needs to be accomplished will help you mitigate stress during delays. 

Budget realistically. 

As a rule of thumb, it’s better to budget for greater expenses than it is to budget for savings. When you set realistic expectations for the cost of your project, you’ll be more satisfied with the end result. Talk to your contractor to understand the options and limitations within your budget. 

Think about your exit strategy.

While you may be making renovations for your current tenants, you want to keep in mind your exit strategy before investing. Will your renovation add intrinsic property value, or is this something that only your current tenants will value? By asking the tough questions you can decide which renovations are worth the investment, and which should be put on the backburner. 

Schedule with your employees in mind. 

Renovations will likely take away workspace from your employees, lowering their productivity and adding stress to their day. In order to reduce the uncertainty your employees or tenants face, schedule renovations in small increments. Plan to cause as little disruption as possible at one time, and you’ll keep everyone happy. 

Understand your new maintenance needs. 

Your new renovation won’t stay new forever. In time, the new equipment, appliances, and infrastructure will require regular maintenance. This should be factored into your budget as well as your operation plan after the renovation. Keep these factors in mind before starting your renovation. 

MaintenX helps businesses complete successful renovations, and aids them in maintaining new features. We not only provide electrical, plumbing, roofing, and HVAC repair, but installation and preventative maintenance services for these systems as well. To learn more about what MaintenX can do for you, contact us today!

MaintenX is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, where our local homes and businesses are at high risk during hurricane season. While major storm damage is a rare occurrence, we often experience power outages that can last days or even weeks in dire circumstances. It is for this reason that Florida locals know the importance of backup generators in the summertime. 

Why You Need A Commercial Generator 

Even if you are not in a hurricane or storm-prone region of the country, having a backup generator is a good idea for your commercial facility. Power outages can be caused by many things other than storms, and it only takes one outage for you to regret the decision not to purchase one in advance. If you don’t currently have a backup generator at your facility, here’s what you need to know before shopping: 

Portable vs. Standby Generators

Backup generators come in many different shapes and sizes. Portable generators are most common for home use because of their smaller size and lower power capacity, while standby generators are more common for large or essential businesses. 

If you operate a small facility that only needs power for a few pieces of essential equipment, a portable generator may be enough for you. However, if you operate a large or essential facility, a standby generator may be worth the investment. 

Portable Generators	Standby Generators
Affordable (priced between $500 – $2000)	Expensive
Small and out of the way	Requires more space
Does not require professional installation	Requires professional installation
Loud motor during use	Typically quieter than portable generators
Must be set up manually during an outage	Generates backup power automatically
Can only generate power for a few small appliances or pieces of equipment	Able to power an entire facility for several days or weeks
Fuel is affordable and easy to replace	May require specialized fuel
Low maintenance	Requires professional maintenance

The Different Fuel Types for Backup Generators

Once you’ve chosen the right size and style of generator for your business, you’ll want to look into different fuel types. The most common fuel types include gasoline, propane, and diesel fuel. Gasoline is most commonly used for portable generators, but is sometimes used for larger models. Propane generators are oftentimes easier to maintain and require less frequent refueling, but if propane is not readily available in your area you may want to consider a different option. 

No matter what generator you choose, you need to be vigilant about its maintenance. A properly maintained generator can last for many years and keep you safe when it matters most. Talk to your local MaintenX team to learn about commercial generator maintenance services in your area. 

When disaster strikes your facility, what do you do? After the dust has settled and it’s back to business, how does your facility recover from the unexpected? 

An onsite fire is something many businesses struggle to come back from. Employees or tenants are often emotionally affected by the event, and even those not present during the fire can have changing views on the facility management or ownership. As the owner or manager yourself, you will have to handle your own emotions as well as the financial burden that the fire creates. 

If you are reeling after a fire at your facility, MaintenX can help. We provide affordable emergency maintenance services in the event of disasters including onsite fires. Our team works hard to ensure your facility is up and running as soon as possible. This will help you remedy your financial situation while you deal with the rest of the aftermath. 

This is by no means an easy process. That is why your MaintenX technicians will work alongside you to assess damages, budget for repairs, and come up with a plan to get you back on your feet. We work with top technicians to give you expedient service for an affordable price. The last thing you need after an onsite fire is dealing with the headache of an incompetent or slow contractor. When you choose MaintenX, we guarantee the best in service. 

After you’ve assessed the damages and determined what you need, it’s time to start rebuilding. You may need to replace essential equipment, repair walls and floors, or remove damaged interior and replace it. MaintenX will be there to help you through it all. Our contractors will provide fair estimates and help you find ways to cut costs whenever possible. We believe in doing the job right the first time, and won’t sacrifice your dollar to do it. 

After a fire, it’s important to come back to the business stronger than ever. When you have good people on your side, that is much easier. With your employees, your community, and your maintenance team’s support you can and will recover from a facility fire. 

MaintenX has your back after a facility fire. We will help you return your facility to normalcy as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more.

At MaintenX, we pride ourselves in the dedication to excellence across every one of our team members. From dispatch, to our technicians, to our customer service staff, we believe in creating an exceptional customer experience from beginning to end. However, not every maintenance team can say the same. 

If you’ve ever worked with an inexperienced or less-than-dedicated maintenance team, you may be familiar with untimely work order requests. When a maintenance team can’t or simply doesn’t manage their work order requests, things can get out of hand quickly. Here’s what happens when you choose a service without a work order management program: 

Your service is delayed. 

Without proper communication, services cannot be completed on time. The right technician must be informed of a service request and be able to quickly dispatch to the site for an emergency maintenance call. Even if the service is preventative, you may not receive it on your schedule if your maintenance team doesn’t manage their workflow properly. 

Your technician is unprepared. 

Without a proper work order management system, your maintenance team cannot properly dispatch and connect the right technician to the right problem. The technician sent to your business may be inexperienced, ill-informed about your problem, or may be overworked and rush your job. Don’t let this happen to you during an emergency — hire a professional team to help. 

Essential materials and equipment aren’t available. 

Without proper communication, your maintenance team will be unprepared. They may not receive all of the details in your work order request, and may forget essential equipment before arriving onsite. This can delay the time to complete the service and put your facility in jeopardy. 

Your estimate is inaccurate. 

If your maintenance team is disorganized enough, they may give you an inaccurate estimate based on miscommunications and misunderstandings. This can put you at a financial setback or delay essential operations because maintenance work is taking too long. When this happens, your maintenance team has really let you down. 

Bottom line, your service suffers. 

That’s why commercial facilities across the country choose MaintenX for their total facilities repair and preventative maintenance. We keep track of your work order request from beginning to end to ensure you receive service on-time and of the quality you deserve. There are no exceptions with MaintenX. We deliver the best in service every time and for every customer. 

To learn more about our maintenance services and work order management program, contact us today!

Outsourcing your facility maintenance is a big decision. While the choice to outsource rather than hire full-time can save you time and afford you experienced help, it can be risky. If you hire a company with a low standard of service, you may spend more than you save on repeat repairs and mismanaged service. That’s why MaintenX offers the highest-rated self-performing facility maintenance services in the country. 

Self-performing facility maintenance is different from hiring in a subcontractor network or outsourced maintenance partner in many ways. AT MaintenX, we manage work orders and schedule services from one centralized location. This helps us to coordinate with clients, send the best technician for the job, and ensure that follow-ups are provided in a timely fashion. We believe in our customers and hire only the best to care for your facility’s needs. Our superior technicians, coupled with our efficient work order management system provide you with the best in class care from beginning to end. 

MaintenX doesn’t add additional fees to our self-performing facility maintenance services. We simply charge a labor rate to keep costs down and to ensure our contractors are paid well. This self-performing system helps you save time and money when finding the right contractor for your job. At MaintenX, we never settle for less. 

To get started, call your local MaintenX office to schedule a consultation or request a service. Your request will be handled by our work order management portal, guaranteed to reduce wait times. We manage your project from beginning to end and can easily schedule follow up preventative services based on past or current requests. 

Every member of the MaintenX team is dedicated to your facility’s success. From the local dispatch team, to your highly trained technician, to your customer support staff, we all work together to ensure your business is in tip-top shape. No other company offers the same level of reliability and accountability with a self-performing service. 

If you are interested in learning more about our preventative maintenance services, contact MaintenX today! We are happy to discuss the details of our services and get you set up with a consultation soon.

At home, the handyman is the person in the family with the most know-how in the garage. They’re the one who saves the day when a faucet leaks, when the door creaks, or when something breaks unexpectedly. But, when you need minor repairs in the office, who do you call? Your employees can’t be responsible for building maintenance if they are to use their time on the clock wisely. And you can’t let maintenance issues go unchecked for long before they become major issues. 

When you need a repair or maintenance service for your facility, your local handyman company is the place to go. A localized maintenance service will be there on time and can alleviate your problems quickly and efficiently. You can also call an independent contractor or hire your own maintenance staff, but oftentimes these services are not as reliable as hiring an outsourced maintenance company. Here are just a few reasons why the local handyman is your best bet for total facility maintenance: 

They know your business. 

When you work with the same maintenance company for several years, they get to know your business needs and rhythms. They will have the inside knowledge to know when a piece of equipment needs a replacement instead of a repair and will know what to expect before arriving onsite. When you switch between contractors, you don’t have the same network of information and records of past service that can make the difference in reducing your budget long-term. 

They know the unique environmental effects that may affect your building. 

The two most common causes of emergency repairs include misuse or mismanagement of equipment, and environmental impacts. Environmental impacts — including climate, debris, rain, humidity, and biological contaminants — can erode the interior or exterior of your building rapidly. A local handyman will understand the unique environment of your facility and be able to recommend preventative maintenance services based on these risks. 

They are a part of your community. 

The local handyman isn’t just a corporate representative. They’re your neighbor, and a part of the community that you share and both strive to improve. Your local handyman will care at a level that those from out of state simply do not. By choosing a localized maintenance service, you are choosing your community. 

They offer competitive rates for your region. 

Localized maintenance services oftentimes offer more competitive rates than those that are outsourced from other regions or states. They can not only complete services quicker, but will develop a professional relationship with you that helps you save money long-term. By choosing a local handyman for preventative maintenance, you won’t have to spend more on major emergency repairs. 

They will look out for you when the other guys disappear. 

Your local handyman service is an integral part of operations at your facility. When the other guys have gone home, they will be by your side for both preventative and emergency repairs. That’s the advantage you’ll have with MaintenX, your local handyman and preventative maintenance service. 

MaintenX has local teams operating in 13 states for total commercial facility repairs. We have the largest contractor network in the country, offering localized service with the finest expertise and skilled technicians available. For more information about our handyman services, contact MaintenX today!

When was the last time you thought about your windows? Perhaps it was the last time the sunshine perked up your office space, or when your storm-proof windows held together during a major thunderstorm. While we may appreciate the strength and beauty of windows during these times, they are typically forgotten and minimally maintained throughout the year. 

This becomes a problem when the windows show dirt instead of sunshine, or when a seemingly sturdy piece of glass breaks in the event of a storm. By providing preventative maintenance service to your windows, however, you can avoid all of this and still have money left over in your maintenance budget for other services. Proper spring cleaning and maintenance of your windows will truly add to the tenant and employee experience if you do it right. 

Window maintenance not only keeps your facility looking nice, but it prevents dust, dirt, debris, and cobwebs from collecting. Dirt and dust can cause indoor air quality issues, while unaddressed cobwebs can lead to serious pest problems. Window maintenance also alerts you when a crack is present in your windows. A small crack now can lead to disaster later, which is why you should schedule preventative maintenance and cleanings now. 

Cleaning your windows can also reduce environmental impacts. Hard water stains and concrete leaching can cause serious buildup on your windows, or leave streaking stains on your window that are hard to remove. By inspecting your windows early on you can quickly clean these areas and identify the source of the water stain. This preventative maintenance service can lead to the identification of other exterior problems, which will save you tremendously in the long run. 

If you have been lacking in your window maintenance, it’s not too late to schedule your first service. MaintenX recommends commercial facilities schedule window cleaning seasonally. However, there are many factors that can contribute to the frequency and timing of your optimal window cleaning schedule including: 

• The age and condition of your building
• The building’s location and natural environment surrounding it
• The landscaping surrounding the building
• The condition of the interior
• The climate and season
• The architectural style of the building
• The type of business 
• The available maintenance budget 

If you are interested in scheduling a window cleaning service, contact your local MaintenX team today! We will help you choose the right service for your budget, and will be back every season to help you keep your building in tip-top shape.

Summer is just around the corner, which means now is the time to start thinking about energy. As a facility manager, you’re probably aware of the tremendous cost that cooling can accumulate over the summer. In fact, businesses in the United States spend an estimated $400 billion annually on energy costs alone.

If there’s one place you should be looking to cut costs this summer, it’s with your HVAC system. If you’re a Tampa-area business or have a facility in any other warm-weather climate, you’ll be glad you took preventative steps to maintain your system and make it more energy-efficient. Next time your HVAC technician schedules a maintenance service, ask them to perform tasks off of this checklist: 

• Inspect/clean the coil and cabinets
• Lubricate the motor
• Check refrigerant levels
• Clean blower components
• Inspect/replace belts if necessary
• Clean drain pans and condensate lines; remove solid debris if necessary
• Inspect compressor
• Inspect wiring and safety mechanisms for all units
• Inspect ignition system
• Change air filters if needed
• Program thermostat or install a smart thermostat

Each of these steps will not only ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently, but it may prevent a breakdown in the future. A large facility typically can’t operate in the summer without air conditioning. If you’re not careful, you may end up with a breakdown that sends your employees home, unless you perform these preventative maintenance steps on time.

In addition to these steps, you should talk to your HVAC technician to determine a regular preventative maintenance service. This will help you to extend the service life of your HVAC machine and improve energy efficiency incrementally. MaintenX offers year-round preventative maintenance services for businesses of all kinds. We work alongside your management team to ensure that your facility runs at peak performance no matter what. 

If you’re interested in other ways to cut energy costs this summer, consider replacing your current HVAC with a newer energy-efficient model. Most HVAC systems last between 15-25 years, and you can start planning for an upgrade now. MaintenX also offers installation services for HVAC systems and guaranteed exceptional service on all future repairs. 

To learn more about how you can save money with MaintenX, contact us today! 

Clogged pipes, lines, and drains are a facility’ manager’s worst nightmare. A minor blockage can turn into major plumbing repair if not diagnosed quickly. And, unlike HVAC or electrical issues in a building, plumbing problems can oftentimes cause shutdowns for up to several days. While most facility managers know that preventative maintenance is important in plumbing, it typically takes an emergency overflow or similar disaster for the plumbing contractor to receive a call. 

You can better protect your facility from unwanted plumbing problems with a water jetting service. Similar to snaking your pipes, water jetting removes blockages in your plumbing and ensures backups don’t happen. However, water jetting is a more efficient and effective form of cleaning your pipes for several reasons. 

Unlike snaking which hooks and drags debris out of your pipes, water jetting uses high-pressure water to blast out blockages and send them down the sewage lines. This helps to remove not only solid objects, but will effectively remove grease, sand, sludge, or algae. These soft blockages often cause more persistent problems than a solid mass. Snakes can usually remove these quickly, but water jetting ensures that buildup doesn’t occur in your pipes and cause permanent damage. 

Other benefits of water jetting include: 

• Penetrating grease and oils
• Breaking up mud, sand, and sludge
• Pulverizing roots and debris
• Breaking down hardened scale
• Flushing out contaminants

Water jetting is an effective form of plumbing maintenance but must be done by a professional every time. If your plumbing has been damaged, the high pressure of the water may cause a line break or other damages. Contact a professional plumbing contractor to discuss your options and water jetting schedule. 

MaintenX provides affordable, effective water jetting and other plumbing preventative maintenance services. We work in 13 states to provide the best in service for commercial facilities of every shape and size. For more information on water jetting plumbing systems, contact your local MaintenX team today!