Managing a property takes a lot of work. Every day presents its own unique challenges, and you never know what may transpire when you show up for work in the morning. One day it could be working with tenants, solving their problems. The next you could completely switch gears, getting your hands dirty with repair work in the building.
While you’ll never lack the opportunity for a challenge, you will have some things that will be easier to solve than others. As a property manager, you probably have a wide array of help at your fingertips, ready to be called upon for any type of problem that comes your way. That may include a general commercial contractor that can do a variety of different tasks, ready to work on any small problem that presents itself throughout the day.
The great thing about having a general contractor on staff is their ability to do just about anything. They can repair a hole in the wall one day and make a plumbing correction the next. They’re generalists, which is important to have when you have so many needs.
However, allowing a generalist to work on more complex issues – today’s HVAC systems – can put the overall health of your building at risk. Think of it in a similar manner to the world of medicine. Your generalist can speak with you on most issues, even inform you when a problem needs further investigation. But they would never give you advice on your heart in the same way a cardiologist would because they don’t have the tools or the knowledge to do the job correctly.
When you sign a maintenance contract with a commercial HVAC contractor, they can provide many things:
Complex service for a complex system
Increasingly, HVAC systems are becoming more complex. Not only does the technology change at a rapid pace, but it also requires knowledge of what laws, policies, and best practices are in place to ensure your HVAC is up to code. With an increased demand for greener systems, the requirement for more routine preventative maintenance is also increasing. Because a general contractor doesn’t stay up to date on the latest happenings in the industry, they may miss out on advancements that can make your building a better place to work and help you run as efficiently as possible.
More advanced licensing and training
Like many different service industries, the HVAC field requires proper certification for certain repairs and installations. For some equipment, if someone doesn’t have proper certification and training but works on the equipment anyway, it may void the warranty. General contractors do have their own set of licensing requirements, but they usually don’t go into great detail in any one industry. This means they may not be qualified to undertake certain procedures required to keep your equipment in good working condition.
Early diagnosis means less repair
If you catch a problem early enough, it won’t grow into a monumental issue. This is especially true for your HVAC system. A heating and air conditioning professional understands where small problems begin. They know the key to regular maintenance, what to stay on top of, and what to service and repair long before it shows itself as a problem. They can diagnose and identify issues early, helping you avoid costly repairs as they grow into bigger problems.
Anticipation can help you save
One of the best parts of having a regular maintenance contract with an HVAC professional is that it allows them to know your system inside and out. They visit regularly and understand when things need adjustment. They have access to parts that may be difficult to find and can have things on hand when your system requires them. They can avoid potential system failures by anticipating issues and repairing them before they grow. While you could be waiting days for a general contractor to diagnose a problem, order parts, and learn how to install them correctly, a professional HVAC contractor can have the problem diagnosed and solved in hours.
Clearly, as a building owner or manager, you have two choices in keeping your building running efficiently. If you don’t have a maintenance contract in place, you could be at a disadvantage. If you’re ready to learn more, give us a call today.
