Commercial Services

Commercial & Facility Management Services

From commercial cleaning and event catering to shop fitouts and signage solutions—commercial services play a vital role in creating a clean, comfortable and highly-functioning environment for your staff and customers. There’s a long list of scenarios in which you’ll need to seek out commercial services for your business, but typical examples include:

• You need catering services for a product launch event 
• You need to replace the signage on your restaurant
• You need expert waste removal services for your medical practice
• You need to install new display units in your retail store

Regardless of whether you operate from a brick-and-mortar shop, office, warehouse or factory, it’s important to provide a well-maintained space for your staff, customers and anyone else who walks through your doors. In fact, business success and good upkeep of your commercial premises usually go hand-in-hand—the better your premises and facilities are maintained, the easier it is for your business to thrive. 

Our goal at SavvySME is to introduce you to the different types of commercial and facility management services and when you might need them. 

So, what exactly falls under the remit of commercial and facility management services?

What are commercial and facility management services?

Commercial and facility management services essentially refer to all of the professional services and solutions that help you maintain and manage your commercial building to ensure it’s clean, safe and in good working order. Commercial and facility management services help you create a comfortable environment for your customers and staff, while also complying with industry standards and regulations. It can include everything from vending services to building repairs.

Commercial and facility management services is split into two areas:

1. Hard facilities management 
2. Soft facilities management

What is hard facilities management?

Hard facilities management refers to the physical elements of your building that can’t be removed such as air conditioning, ventilation and plumbing. It’s important to take good care of your building and service things regularly, but every now and then something will break or will need to be replaced. Building maintenance services for hard facilities management include:

• Commercial fitouts: Commercial fitout companies specialise in creating new workspaces or refurbishing your existing premises. Fitout services include floor planning, building, electrical fittings, interior design and commercial furniture.
• Signage: Signage is important for brand identity and helps people recognise and find your business. Signage solutions include wall-mounted signs, roll-up banners, window graphics and vehicle signage. 
• Security: Security requirements are business-specific and vary depending on your risks. Common business security solutions include alarm systems, CCTV and access control systems.
• Building maintenance: Building maintenance includes general handyman services as well as plumbing, hydraulic, electrical and mechanical services.
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: It’s important to ensure your building is properly ventilated and that the temperature can be regulated to accommodate the people in the building. 
• Fire safety and emergency access systems: Every business needs to comply with health and safety standards by having adequate fire exits and access systems in place. 

What is soft facilities management?

Soft facilities management refers to the services that make your building clean, safe and generally improve the overall welfare of your staff and customers. Soft facilities services include:

• Commercial cleaning: Whether your business is a small retail shop for household goods, a coffee shop or a manufacturing plant, every business needs to provide a clean and safe environment for employees, customers and other visitors.
• Commercial catering: Small businesses hire catering services for corporate events, product launches, staff workshops and client meetings. 
• Waste management: Commercial waste and recycling solutions help you manage your rubbish in an environmentally and socially responsible way. You can also find solutions to minimise your waste and environmental footprint. 
• Grounds maintenance: Well-maintained grounds create a positive image for your business. Services include maintaining outdoor areas, landscaping and gardening. 
• Security services: As well as CCTV and other security systems, you may also need additional security services such as security guards. 
• Pest control: Pest control services can help you rid your building of unwanted insects and animals.
• Car parking: Some businesses have car parks that need to be managed and monitored at certain times or around the clock.
• Commercial real estate: Commercial real estate includes leasing, property appraisals, sales and some facilities management solutions.
• Business telecommunication solutions: Tailored telecommunications services include broadband and VoiP phone system installation.

Hard and soft facilities management are equally important and both play a crucial role in ensuring your management effectively. 

Why are commercial and facility management services important?

Although it might not seem like you need to give much attention to facility management (especially in the early days when you have a small team or you are operating from a tiny office) maintaining your building and facilities will become more important as your business and team grow and you start to scale. Below are some of the benefits of investing time and resources into maintaining your commercial building:

• Employee satisfaction: A clean and pleasant working environment plays a key role in employee satisfaction. As an employer, it’s important to provide your staff with a comfortable workplace that supports their efficiency, productivity and wellbeing. 
• Maintain health and safety requirements: As a business owner you are required by law to meet certain health and safety standards in accordance with industry standards.
• Create a positive image: First impressions count, and your customers will form an impression of your business based on their experience of being in your shop or office. Ensuring your building and facilities are well kept will create a positive impression. 
• Reduce maintenance costs: Preventative maintenance can reduce the number of problems you have later down the line and increase the life expectancy of certain items. 

How do I manage my building and facilities as a small business owner?

While there are some aspects of facilities management you can handle yourself, many commercial and facilities management services will need to be outsourced. Some tasks require skilled professionals that know exactly what they’re doing - the last thing you want to do is cut corners when it comes to health and safety. 

Below are some key actions to take:

• Review business activities associated with building and facilities management and re-evaluate in house vs outsourcing options
• Identify any areas in need of improvement e.g. maintenance of your commercial kitchen
• Start thinking about how much budget to allocate to outsourced facilities management

There are a number of different commercial services companies that can help you with both soft and hard facilities management including catering companies, shopfitters and waste management experts. We can help you connect with commercial service providers here on SavvySME to maintain your building and increase the efficiency of your business. Learn more about the services and solutions offered by commercial service companies.