Are all Facilities Management Companies the same?

The answer is no … Like every other industry or profession there are some great Facilities Management Companies … and then there are the rest.

So how can you be sure that out of all the Facilities Management Companies you’ve looked at, you’ve found the right one for you? It may be a difficult question to answer in some ways because it really does depend upon what it is you’re looking for, what specific needs you, as an organisation, have from Facilities Management Companies.

Here’s what we believe indicate great Facilities Management Companies.

Whilst property maintenance is not rocket science, at the very centre of good Facilities Management Companies is a great service ethic, systems and the quality of the people who are completing the projects and tasks. That's why the best Facilities Management Companies rely on recruiting the very best trades people and managers in the business.

Facilities Management Companies that started life as property maintenance contractors or contract cleaners for example, tend to have a better understanding of the process, the necessity of delivering timely, cost-efficient services at a quality level. The better Facilities Management Companies usually have the experience enabling them to develop systems that ensure contracts and projects are managed step by step through the process.

Look at the IT systems and operational processes employed by Facilities Management Companies to ensure they facilitate the task of managing a large number of projects covering a variety of trades and numerous sites. The better facilities management companies will operate astutely to reduce travel, which improves efficiencies and can make sure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Many national Facilities Management Companies will have a system to monitor and manage projects from a central location, which gives visibility and greater control to all.

The importance of regular communication is never underestimated by good Facilities Management Companies, the lack of quality communication is a big issue with many organisations.

The best Facilities Management Companies will, once they’re agreed, closely monitor your budgets to ensure that, if you’re getting close, limits can be placed on projects until the next budget period. More proactive Facilities Management Companies will also monitor work being completed where the same repairs are being made regularly, due to vandalism for example, and will recommend a different solution, not just keep repairing, reducing the impact on budgets.

Expert facilities management companies will often provide property maintenance to multi-sites in the retail and commercial sectors.

Help desk services are sometime used by facilities management companies to advise clients by phone and prevent the necessity of a site visit. These facilities management companies are focused on cost reduction, ongoing value for money and sustainable service excellence.

Often facilities management companies will view painting and decorating, refurbishments, shop and office refreshes and dilapidations as being minor works, however good facilities management companies take the view that they’re there to provide a service for all works.

Facilities management companies sometimes take maintenance services for granted as they’re performed out of sight. But well executed, planned and reactive maintenance services by good facilities management companies keep properties fit for purpose.