For facility managers looking for ways to reduce facility maintenance costs, there are a lot of advantages of routinely conducting property inspections. For starters, property inspections provide valuable information that makes the maintenance decision-making process easier and straightforward. Western Specialty Contractors based in St. Louis, MO, offers these “three keys to successful property inspections.”
Proper building inspections involve more than just walking around a property looking for potential issues. There are plenty of property inspections that don’t do much to help the facility manager or owner. However, there are a few, simple keys to doing successful property inspections that everyone should know:
1. Start with Standardized Methods.
Successful inspection programs are built on a foundation of excellent standardized methods that can help improve consistency from inspection to inspection over time. That way, results from a current inspection can be reliably compared to results from past ones. Recommendations include:
- Taking several pictures of each component’s condition. Don’t try to rely on notes from inspectors exclusively.
- Using a condition rating scale. Keep ratings as simple as possible.
Sometimes facility managers are tempted to start doing inspections first, then work on figuring out how to record the data later. That method is a recipe for expensive mistakes and a less-than-successful inspection.
2. Instructions Matter.
Successful inspections are leveraged by well-written guidelines. Starting with standardized methods will get building owners and managers a good way down the path toward a successful inspection, but the maintenance team will need further assistance, so providing them with written instructions to review can be beneficial.
Even if an inspection is set up correctly, it only makes it harder to get the traction needed on an inspection if the staff isn’t quire sure what to do. Simplifying the instructions and taking the guesswork out of the equation will go a long way toward ensuring a successful inspection.
3. Create Checklists (or know where to get them).
Successful inspections have rock solid processes. For those who are new to exterior maintenance, creating checklists can be a fun and exciting way to improve their skills.
But to do a great inspection, learning how to make excellent inspection checklists is recommended, or ask a contractor for assistance. Building owners and managers can supply the vision and property knowledge, but the contractor brings their years of experience and expertise.
