Commercial Services & Facilities Management Companies
A clean, comfortable and well-maintained building is essential to every successful business. It’s not only essential for the health and safety of your customers and staff, but it creates a positive image of your business and can impact your business’s bottom line.
While you have the option to hire an in-house facilities manager, there will be instances when you need to outsource specific services. It could be a plumber to fix a bathroom sink, commercial cleaners or a catering company for a business event. It’s also important to know how outsourcing works and what to consider when hiring a commercial services company.
Our goal at SavvySME is to give you an overview of the different commercial services companies available, key considerations when outsourcing and how to hire a commercial services company for your business.
What are the benefits of outsourcing commercial and facility management services?
Your business is one of your biggest assets and you should aim to hire only qualified service providers. Aside from the fact that many commercial services require skilled professionals that are trained in things like hazardous waste removal and plumbing repairs, there are many reasons why small businesses outsource commercial and facility management services:
- Skills and expertise
- Cost savings
- Focus on core business objectives
- Comply with health and safety standards
For things like signage or retail display units, the only option is to hire a skilled professional. You can’t cut corners when it comes to things like fixtures, fittings, lighting, signage, etc. Commercial services companies have extensive experience working with small businesses and can offer tailored solutions based on your unique needs. It can also increase your cost savings as you only pay for services you actually need and don’t need to employ someone in-house. This gives you an opportunity to free up your resources to focus on core business objectives.
You can also have confidence in knowing that your business is complying with health and safety and standards. Health and safety regulations are strict and there are penalties for businesses that don’t comply.
What are the different types of commercial services companies?
There are many types of commercial services companies to cater to different business needs and requirements. Some companies may specialise in certain service areas while others may offer a wider range of services. We’ve outlined the most popular commercial services companies below:
- Commercial cleaning companies
- Catering services
- Waste management companies
- Commercial energy companies
- Facilities management companies
- Shopfitting companies
1. Commercial cleaning companies
Commercial cleaning companies offer a range of commercial and industrial cleaning services to fulfil both standard and industry-specific health and safety requirements. Commercial cleaning companies ensure your premises are cleaned to the highest standards and support routine hygienic practices for your customers and staff. Typical services include:
- Routine and general cleaning
- Mopping
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Rubbish removal
- Kitchen/bathroom/staff room cleaning
- Sanitation
- Carpet cleaning
- Window cleaning
2. Catering services
The last thing you need on top of everything else that comes with running an event is organising food for your guests. Catering companies take the hassle out of feeding your guests and save you time and money. They also know all about health and safety regulations and can attend to all dietary requirements. Small business catering services include:
- Corporate catering
- Buffet catering
- Sit-down catering
- Office delivery catering
- Food truck catering
3. Commercial waste management companies
Commercial waste management companies help you manage your hard waste, rubbish and recycling more responsibly. They quite literally do the heavy lifting and ensure waste is disposed of carefully and safely. Commercial waste management services include:
- Hard rubbish collection (desks, chairs, tables, etc)
- E-waste collection (for battery-powered items such as laptops, televisions, etc)
- Green waste collection (biodegradable materials)
- Hazardous regulated waste
- Health and biohazardous waste
- Liquid waste
- Commercial drainage
4. Trades businesses
Commercial energy services include:
- Commercial electricity services
- Gas installation and maintenance
- Energy audits
- Solar panel installation
- Renewable energy solutions
- LED lighting
5. Facility management companies
Facilities management companies usually offer a wider range of services to keep your office or commercial space running smoothly and efficiently. Hiring a facility management company is a good option if you need a range of services and would prefer to have one point of contact for everything. Services offered by facility management companies include:
- Commercial cleaning
- Waste management
- Plumbing services
- Electrical services
- Property maintenance and general repairs
- Ground maintenance and landscaping
- Security services
6. Shopfitting companies
Shopfitting companies specialist in all aspects of fitouts from design and floor planning to construction and project management. They can help you create the ideal space whether it’s for a retail shop, office space, restaurant dining area, medical suites or any other business environment. Services offered by commercial fitout companies include:
- Refurbishment
- Floorplanning and design
- Construction and building
- Interior design
- Building repairs and maintenance
- Fixtures and fittings
How do I hire a commercial services company?
There are some key considerations to think about when hiring a commercial services company:
- Identify your needs
- Get quotes from a few companies
- Compare proposals
The first step is to identify which services you need. Some companies may offer bundled services at a discounted rate. It’s also much easier to have one point of contact instead of multiple companies managing different tasks.
Secondly, aim to collect quotes from a few providers to review whether you’re getting a competitive price. That said, you should avoid going for the cheapest option and consider the quality of service and customer reviews. Exceptional service is usually worth it for a few extra dollars.
How much do commercial services companies cost?
Considering the number of services that fall under commercial and facility management services, prices vary considerably depending on:
- Type of service
- Scope of job/project
- Job complexity
- Length of project/contract
- Size of your commercial premises
Maintaining a commercial facility takes a considerable amount of time and expertise. The long list of services offered by commercial services and facilities management companies keep your business running smoothly while keeping overhead costs down and enhancing performance.
You can connect with a number of commercial services companies here on SavvySME. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your business and we’ll introduce you to the right service providers. You can also reach out to other business owners in the community with any questions you have or check out the latest commercial services articles and resources.
When comparing proposals, always ask for a breakdown of costs including what each service includes and whether there are any additional charges.
