Modern housing societies have modern problems. Meet the solution – Facility managers. Newer constructions these days all come with a plethora of new issues due to the sheer number of amenities we now get. And while these amenities are meant to make life easier for us they come at a cost. Usually an exorbitant cost. Maintaining a new building is no longer a task the management committee of a society can handle by themselves, it requires full-time attention. This is where facility managers come in. They manage the maintenance and day-to-day working of your cooperative housing society. All common facilities come under their purview and ensuring everything is in order is their job.
Challenges to Your Housing Society
What are the challenges that your facility manager will address?
Upkeep of Facilities
Maintaining facilities like a swimming pool, a gym, manicured lawns etc. takes a lot of time and effort. If these are not maintained they fall into disrepair and will become unusable. In addition, unkempt facilities are also an eyesore and affect the optics of your buildings.
- Committee Management
Relying on the managing committee alone to take care of so many responsibilities in addition to their own personal lives isn’t ideal. Members of the committee also lack the necessary experience and expertise required to handle these matters.
- Accountability
Without a clear structure on who is to take care of which amenity you may run into accountability issues when there are problems with the services rendered. Dividing tasks in an equal manner is also difficult and might end up with some people doing more work than others.
- Multiple Vendors
When managing a society yourselves you will have to look at multiple vendors that provide maintenance services for each amenity separately. Juggling so many different external contractors is time-consuming, to say the least, especially in societies with upwards of 20 amenities to be serviced.
- Financial Burden
Simply put, it costs A LOT to maintain a society. After adding housekeeping costs, gym costs, swimming pool costs, clubhouse costs and many more altogether you will end up with very little in terms of funds left to save for a rainy day. Tracking these costs is also a hassle, especially if you have multiple different people handling the quotations and payments.
These challenges might seem like something you can manage in the beginning but with time, the cracks in management start to show and your society will be the one to suffer for it. This is where bringing in a professional team who knows how to handle all types of amenities for you can be invaluable.
What is a Facility Management Company?
Facility management companies were created to support the operations of large organisations and companies. They assist with managing people, processes and places. For societies, they help with maintenance, staffing and other building operations. With how big our modern societies are and how expansive their needs are, the company will help streamline its functioning.
Benefits of the Facility Management Company
So why should you invest in hiring an FMC instead of just managing it yourselves?
- Organised Management
Having professionals manage the operations will mean that things happen in an organized and timely manner. It will also facilitate more regular maintenance, ensuring better upkeep of your amenities.
- Improved Safety and Compliance
The facility management company will help you arrange for security guards and often also facilitate the installation of CCTVs and other security features. This help from specialised providers means that you have better quality security. These companies also keep track of fire safety and other applicable ordinances so that your society is in compliance with them.
- Cost Savings
Having a facility management company will result in an overall decrease in costs due to more efficient spending. They will guide you on where you can save on electricity costs, generator costs and other such annual maintenance costs. Many facility management companies also assist with moving towards sustainable practices to save on maintenance costs. Having your property regularly maintained also saves a lot of money in the long run in terms of repairs and replacements.
- Improved Resident Satisfaction
Living in a well-managed, clean and beautiful housing complex is bound to increase resident morale. Also having an external party that addresses issues right as they begin will reduce any strife the residents might have with the managing committee.
Criterion for Choosing a Facility Management Company
Once you’ve decided that your housing society would benefit from an FM company, there are a few things you’ll have to keep in mind. Here’s what you need to keep in mind –
- Reputation
Checking reviews is always prudent. If they manage any properties around you, asking their managing committees is also a good way to gauge their skill.
- Services Offered
Your needs may not always align with what each company is offering. You may sometimes need more than what they are offering and sometimes the opposite.
- Compliance with Local Rules
The company you choose should be aware of any local rules and ordinances that are applicable to your society.
- Budget
How much you can spend will play a huge role in which company you go for. The best may not be in your budget.
- Responsiveness and Eagerness
The company should be reachable when you face issues. If the company is bad at communication right from the enquiry phase, they may not be reachable when it matters.
After due diligence and research, you can choose the company best suited to you!
To conclude, a facility management company takes over the most tedious tasks of managing your society. By assigning these roles to the company you can receive uninterrupted service as well as regular maintenance. These companies use their expertise to solve your building’s problems and support its smooth functioning.
Shubham Doshi