Facilities managers are integral for the smooth running of commercial buildings and the efficiency of day-to-day business operations. When considering strategic planning, costs will be at the forefront of many decisions, especially in the current economic climate, and by being open to new ideas you can keep operations streamlined. From cutting energy costs to being savvy with your supplier selection, there are many options open to facilities managers for keeping your buildings economical. Here are some top tips for shrewd cost cutting.

1. Be open to new ideas

If you are looking to make savings for a building you’ve managed for a while, or are just searching for new ways to make improvements, some outside the box thinking may be required. Don’t be afraid to look into ideas that may seem more unusual and always stay on the lookout for ways to improve current systems. So long as you thoroughly evaluate the balance of initial investment versus long-term savings, creative strategies should be given due consideration.

2. Start small

Often, it can take big investment to make big savings. For example, retrofitting or replacing your HVAC system for a more energy efficient one. However, businesses often don’t have the cash to hand to make large changes, even if it will save money over the longer-term. In these instances, small, gradual changes can be a preferable choice, from a financial perspective, and can allow savings to be made instantly. Consider changing to more energy efficient LED lights, installing motion sensors for lighting, or reviewing HVAC usage. The savings from small changes could even be used to save for significant upgrades.

3. Cutting energy costs

Energy usage will always be an area worth examining to see if savings can be made. With sustainability and eco-friendliness being major concerns across industries, there are continuous developments and advancements in technology in this area which lead to improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption. Think more energy efficient light bulbs and hand dryers, cutting back on site lighting and turning off electronics at night, zoning your HVAC system effectively, and maybe installing eco flush toilets and motion sensor taps to reduce water consumption.

Installing solar panels on unused roof space can be another way to enhance sustainability and even make money from selling the energy back to the grid.

4. Review your suppliers and contracts

Look at your outgoings carefully, do your research, and see whether you could get better deals with other suppliers. Whether it is utilities, cleaning supplies or vending machine snacks, even small savings each month will build up over time, so don’t let the switching process put you off.

You can also try to negotiate a better deal with your current suppliers, particularly if you can incentivise the savings. For example, your current cleaners might be willing to give you a better rate for using their services across several offices or buildings, instead of just one.
 

5. Carry out preventive maintenance

It may be tempting to cancel or cut back on routine maintenance of equipment when looking for places to save on costs, but this is a bad idea. To ensure that your equipment and office environment stays as efficient and functional as possible, it is worth paying out small amounts for preventive maintenance rather than large amounts for substantial repairs.

Equipment maintenance will enable peak performance, increase apparatus lifespan, reduce downtime and maintain safety. Regular cleaning of your premises should also be kept up to ensure a presentable, professional and safe environment for staff and visitors. Routine cleans will ensure equipment stays fully operational and will increase the lifespan of fittings and fixtures, preventing replacements – such as carpet refits – from being needed for longer.

JMS Cleaning Services offer a superior cleaning service for commercial customers throughout the North West – including Manchester and Chester. Our practiced and thorough team have experience cleaning a wide variety of commercial premises, and will tailor our services to the size and requirements of your individual business. For more information about our services, or to discuss your business’s needs, get in touch with our helpful team today.

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Main entrance

The first thing clients see when they enter a building is the entrance and foyer. Make the best impression by investing in a spotless entrance, cleaned regularly by a professional.

• Windows must be cleansed of grease marks and water staining; for this, a specialist window cleaning fluid is applied to make for perfectly transparent glass.
• Doors in modern buildings are often made of sleek glass and stainless steel and therefore need cleansing of fingerprints and grime in much the same way as windows – with a specifically formulated cleaning detergent.
• Surfaces, such as coffee tables and reception desks, are important to keep clean and not just for appearance’s sake; cleaning these vital areas maintains a high standard of hygiene.
• Floor mats stop people from tracking mess into the rest of the building, and as such require a good vacuuming everyday; either before or after business hours is best.
• Refuse bins are crucial for maintaining a tidy appearance. Bin liners must be removed and disposed of appropriately on a daily basis to avoid unpleasant sights and smells.

Stairs

Stairs are busy areas in the building and require care and attention when cleaning. They are worth the time and effort, however, because so much traffic passes through the stairwell.

• Stair and landing carpets are a first port of call because these areas collect the most dirt from people’s shoes. A thorough vacuuming and the occasional stain removal can make a world of difference.
• Hard floors require mopping with a quick drying detergent, as well as using the correct safety signage while the floor dries; once completed, all the grime and dirt is gone and is replaced by an impressive sheen.
• Glass panels give a contemporary and clean look, but only when washed regularly with warm water and cleaning solution.
• Bannisters, railings and dado rails benefit from dusting and a wipe down with antibacterial solution, since these fixtures are regularly handled to aid people up and down the stairs.
• Light fixtures become conspicuous when they are dirty and any build up of cobwebs and insect debris must be removed to maintain a hygienic environment.

Lifts

If you have a lift in your building, it probably does a great job of making your business more accessible for everyone. Because of heavy foot traffic, you get the most from your lift when it is kept spotless. A lift is typically a small space, so its level of hygiene is always noticed quicker than any other larger space in the building.

• Keypads and buttons are pressed by hundreds of people over their lifetime; without a thorough scrub, they can become dirty and unappealing.
• Walls and ceilings, especially those made of glass, stainless steel and mirror fixtures require dusting and wiping down multiple times to remove dirt and avoid streaking.

JMS Cleaning Services deliver immaculate living and working environments in North West England. Our team are ideally located to provide domestic & commercial cleaning services in Crewe, Macclesfield, Manchester, Liverpool And Warrington, and will work around your schedule for complete convenience. Whether it is daily office cleaning, one-off deep cleaning of a new home, or floor-stripping after major building works, JMS deliver on the promise of a tidy, clean and hygienic space. Contact our friendly team today, or use our quick quote form at the top of this page!

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While we’re confident in the ability of all our staff members, it’s still nice to receive positive feedback, which is why we were delighted to hear about JMS cleaning operative Francine Shaw’s recent achievements.

Francine

During a period of contract work at Wigan Town Hall, where construction company ISG were undertaking £6.1 million worth of restoration, Francine was awarded Employee of the Month. Francine also received gift vouchers as a token of the consistently high standard of her work, presented by JMS operations director David Needham.

Francine Shaw, centre, with ISG project manager Tony Dougan (left) and JMS operations director David Needham (right).

“As a result of the excellent service that Francine provided, she received a record number of subcontractor nominations for our Employee of the Month award”, explained Tony Dougan, project manager at the ISG site. “We would like to express our gratitude to Francine for the excellent work she has been doing for us at Wigan Town Hall”.

As a Grade II listed building, it was crucial that those chosen for work at the Town Hall were fully up to the task, and we were confident in our selection of Francine.

So we’d like to congratulate Francine for all of her efforts – another JMS success story!

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