This Question of the Week comes from the International Facility Management Association Group on Linkedin.
Does anyone have any resources that they could share that provide a list of things to consider when opening a newly constructed commercial office building? I’m not necessarily looking for details on move management, rather things such as service contracts, staffing, and other considerations of a facility manager. Thanks for your help!
Trevor Gamblin
Manager, Facility Management Division
City of Saint John
New Brunswick, Canada
Share your feedback and suggestions in the LEAVE A COMMENT section below.
There is a difference between owner-occupied and tenant- occupied buildings.
For owner-occupied space some of the key considerations are:
• Do you have emergency egress plans?
• Don’t forget to conduct fire drills (OSHA requirement).
• Store all your construction warranty information in a readily available format.
• Read your warranties (for example you may void the roof warranty if you walk on the roof).
• Have your insurance information available at all times (even when you are at home).
• Set up a cost-tracking system that will allow you to benchmark with IFMA or BOMA benchmarks.
• Set up a “call center” – phone number or e-mail address to accept complaints/ work requests.
• Set up a data base of vendors to call for a specific problem.
• Set up a Preventive Maintenance program to maintain your equipment.
• Set up maintenance contracts for HVAC, emergency generators, elevators and other specialty equipment.
• Don’t forget to get snow removal in your budget if you are up north
• Will you have a space charge-back system for departmental lease space or specific charges to departments or will you absorb all costs?
• Occupancy plans showing departmental boundaries on a furniture plan and even “who sits where” are helpful.
• Create a sq. ft. database of the gross, rentable and usable space in your building
• Have a parking database. Often you need a plan with labeled parking spaces
• Have more than one person on the call list for security issues.
• You absolutely need to have a contract with a remediation contractor (they need to be set up in your system so you you can call them to fix your overflowing toilet and associated damage at 3 AM so your building is up and running by 8 AM).
• You need to track work orders and requests – there are a number of systems (Work Order Management Systems) that are quite good available in a wide price range. A spread sheet will work at first.
• You will be getting many invoices each month – you need to set aside time to review, code and pay them.
Barry Lynch, CFM, NCARB, MBA, IFMA FELLOW
Strategic Facility Planner
Labarre Associates, Inc.
Denham Springs, Louisiana