As a commercial property manager and professional, you know that keeping your property in top condition is essential. Not only does this ensure that your tenants are happy, but it also helps to attract new businesses and customers, as well as avoid costly lawsuits.
But did you know that pavement maintenance is one of the most significant investments your company will make when it comes to maintaining your commercial property?
As one of the first things customers and clients see when they visit your property, it’s crucial to create a good first impression by keeping your parking areas well-lit and free of debris.
The burning question that most property management professionals face is: how do I manage this cost and make sure that my parking area maintenance is working for the company?
The answer is a Site Assessment Plan.
A Site Assessment what??
Let’s go ahead and cover everything you need to know about a site assessment plan and how having one will help you get the most out of your property’s long-term ROI.
What is a Site Assessment Plan?
Having been a Project Coordinator & Property Manager for more than 7 years, dedicated to managing the needs of commercial construction maintenance projects for a major Real Estate Development Company, it quickly became apparent that without a proper analysis and plan in place, maintenance costs could multiply 3-7X more than what it would have with proper planning and foresight.
Establishing an ongoing systematic approach to maintenance that would allow pro-active dollars to prevent the compounded costs of re-active dollars. That’s what our Site Assessment Plans are designed for.
Our site assessment plan is designed to arm you with knowledge, resources, and solutions. This inspection, evaluation, and planning service will help you identify and combat defects, trip hazards, as well as plan for future maintenance repairs.
What Does A Property Site Assessment Plan Include?
The comprehensive analysis report of your property considers everything from the current condition of your pavement to the future needs of your property, providing you with a roadmap for managing your property so your business can make informed and cost-effective decisions about maintenance and repairs.
Initial Assessment
Our site assessment starts with one of our professional pavement specialists heading out to your property to take a closer look at the condition of your pavement and property. They will identify any potential problems & make recommendations considering the following:
- Crack sealing & Sealcoating
- Curb & Sidewalk Repair
- Concrete
- Loading Areas
- Dumpster Enclosures
- Drainage Install & Repair
- Line Striping
- Paving & Pothole Repair
- Warehouse Line Markings
- Line Remediation
- Bollards, Curb Stops, Railings, & Guardrails
- Complete ADA Compliance
From there, we’ll write up a full site assessment so you can see exactly what needs to be done to meet the unique needs of your property.
Annual Inspections
Since property maintenance is ongoing, we schedule our annual inspections with the idea of keeping you up to date with the monitoring system so that we can ensure that everything is working as well as it should.
Post-Storm Inspections
Storms often wreak havoc on properties, especially here in the tri-state area. When we check on your property after a storm, we will be making sure any new developments don’t go undetected by you, including in places not readily seen such as storm-water drains.
Why Should I Invest in a Site Assessment Plan?
Implementing the right maintenance repairs at the right time provides not only curb appeal but asset longevity. We find that our Site Assessment Plans allow our clients to benefit the most in the 8 following ways:
1) Effectively Budget and Plan Maintenance Projects
The condition of your commercial property is constantly changing, which means that your pavement maintenance needs will change as well.
With a site assessment plan, you can stay ahead of the curve and budget for needed and annual projects accordingly. This way, you won’t be caught off guard by unexpected repairs or have to scramble to find the money to pay for them.
2) Save Money on Pavement Maintenance
A site assessment plan will help you budget for future projects, but it can also help you save money on your current pavement maintenance.
By identifying potential problems early on, you can avoid more costly repairs down the road. In some cases, we may even be able to recommend alternatives to traditional repairs that can save you time and money.
For example, crack sealing & sealcoating regularly within a few years of installing new pavement will prevent the pavement from prematurely ‘failing’, especially here in the northeast where we regularly combat freeze-thaw cycles. Repairing failing pavement is significantly more costly than having a proper maintenance schedule.
3) Make Informed Decisions About Future Parking Area Maintenance Projects
A site assessment plan provides you with valuable insights that can help you make informed decisions about your property.
For example, with this information, you’ll be able to decide whether it’s time to invest in a significant repair project or if you can wait a few years.
You’ll also get an idea of what kind of maintenance schedule will work best for your property, as we’ll help you prioritize what needs to be fixed now and what can wait.
4) Reduce Exposure to Liabilities
When it comes to the management of your commercial property, you and your business are responsible for handling all preventative maintenance and repairs to your parking lot.
Unfortunately, those liabilities and responsibilities aren’t just within the office or storefront building. Instead, it starts in the parking lot.
For example, some of the most common liabilities that can be found in parking lots include:
- Not being compliant with ADA regulations
- Faded parking & directional markings in your parking lot
- Insufficient lighting
- Damaged or cracked pavement or Trip Hazards
- Inadequate drainage systems
- Landscaping issues in the surrounding area
Unfortunately, when these issues are forgotten or left to the wayside, your company and your customers can cause accidents, become injured, or suffer because of it.
You don’t want to have to worry about a potential lawsuit when you invest in a site assessment plan and fix issues in your parking lot before they become a problem.
5) Increase Appeal to Tenants and Customers
Your parking lot is one of the first things that tenants and customers will see when they come to your property.
If it’s in disrepair, it can give them a negative impression of your business – even if the rest of your property is well-maintained.
This may even turn potential tenants or customers away from your business simply because the appearance doesn’t match their expectations.
On the other hand, if your parking lot is in good condition, it will give them a positive impression of your property and make them more likely to want to do business with you or your tenants.
6) Increase Earning Potential
Investing in a site assessment plan can also help you to increase your property’s earning potential.
By keeping your commercial property and parking lot area in good condition, you can attract more tenants and customers, leading to increased revenue.
In addition, if you’re ever considering selling your property, a well-maintained parking lot will make it more appealing to potential buyers, which could lead to a higher selling price.
7) Reduce Tenant and Customer Complaints
Your tenants and customers are your property’s bread and butter. If they’re unhappy, it can harm your business.
One of the best ways to keep them happy is to ensure that their experience starts from the moment they pull into your parking lot. By taking the time to have a site assessment conducted on your property, you can identify and fix any potential problems before they have a chance to cause your tenants or customers any inconvenience.
8) Make Your Property Stand Out from The Competition
Investing in a site assessment plan can help you make your property stand out from the competition.
In today’s competitive market, where more businesses and customers are shopping online more than ever, it’s essential to do everything you can to make your property stand out and attract customers or tenants to your area.
By keeping your property and parking area in great condition, you’ll be able to show potential tenants and customers that you’re serious about your property and that you’re willing to invest in its future.
Site Assessment Plans Are the First Step for Parking Area Maintenance
A site assessment plan is the MVP tool that can help you save money, make informed decisions, reduce your exposure to liabilities, and increase your property’s appeal and earning potential.
If you’re not already using one for your commercial property, now is the time to start.
This simple step can help with the management of your properties and ensure that your parking area is more of an asset to your business instead of a liability.
At Swan Co., we’re recognized as a premier pavement specialist in the Tri-State area. We have the experience and expertise to help you develop a site assessment plan that will meet your property’s needs.
Our clients consider us to be partners, looking out for their best interests while providing exceptional service. That’s the Swan Co. difference.
Contact us now to schedule your Site Assessment Plan. We look forward to helping you get the most out of your property.
