With demand within the property and housing industry soaring in recent years, businesses (across all sectors) are realising the significance of adopting a proactive approach to maintenance. Whether you’re operating in residential or commercial environments, being proactive from the outset is the best way to level-up your outcomes from a service perspective. We’re huge advocates of a proactive approach and wanted to shed light on the benefits of anticipatory maintenance scheduling, and encourage others to embrace this approach in their strategy. Trust us, future-you will thank you, and here’s why:
Understanding Proactive Maintenance
Proactive maintenance involves planning and scheduling maintenance activities in advance rather than waiting for issues to arise; it’s really that simple! By anticipating and addressing potential problems early on, businesses can prevent costly repairs, minimise disruptions, and ensure smooth operations. This approach applies to various areas, including maintenance, cleaning, and soft services.
Proactivity in Action
We’ve worked with Newlon Housing Trust for the past 10 years to combat damp and mould in properties and have recently set up a proactive Damp and Mould Taskforce. We’ve created a data-led rolling yearly schedule of works, working closely with residents to make sure we’ve proactively checked hundreds of properties that would have been overlooked with the previous reactive approach.
“By implementing a proactive, strategic programme of work, we have been able to reduce the number of reports of leaks, mould, and damp across our properties. We are getting to the issues before they impact our residents”
– Stefan Hilaire-Brown, Associate Director of Property Services at Newlon Housing Trust
Enhanced Service and Resident Satisfaction
In the residential sector, proactive maintenance can significantly improve the service experience for residents. By taking preventive measures, like regular inspections and timely repairs, potential issues can be identified and resolved before they escalate. This is where a proactive approach will demonstrate a commitment to resident satisfaction. It’s a really powerful way of fostering trust and loyalty. We found, in our Newlon project, that we were communicating with residents who would have been too reticent to call otherwise; either through health vulnerabilities or through English not being their first language. A planned preemptive strategy meant we could help these residents in a way that would have almost certainly been missed had we waited for them to reach out to us!
Efficiency and Cost Savings
Proactive maintenance offers significant advantages in terms of efficiency and cost savings. Planning maintenance activities in advance allows for better resource allocation, scheduling, and budgeting. Many of our own clients love the transparency that comes with planning out a year’s worth of activities; they can step back knowing the next 12 months are in safe hands! By avoiding emergency repairs or last-minute solutions, businesses can optimise their maintenance processes, reduce downtime, save on operational costs, and ultimately put their focus back on those important growth areas of business.
“A proactive, strategic programme means we are more efficient in our activity, allowing the right people with the right expertise to be at the property at the right time. This has less disruption for the resident and is more efficient for the housing association”
– Jason Southwell, Managing Director of Smarter Services
Improved Infrastructure Performance
By implementing a proactive maintenance strategy, businesses can ensure that their infrastructure operates at peak performance levels. Regular maintenance and preventive measures help identify potential weaknesses, optimise system efficiency, and extend the lifespan of equipment and assets. This approach reduces the risk of sudden failures or major disruptions, enabling businesses to maintain productivity and minimise downtime.
Adopting a proactive approach to maintenance brings numerous benefits to businesses, whether in the residential or commercial sector. By focusing on preventive measures, efficient planning, and regular inspections, companies can enhance service quality, improve infrastructure performance, and achieve significant cost savings. The success of Newlon in combating mould issues serves as an inspiring example, urging others to embrace proactive maintenance practices for long-term success and customer satisfaction.
By investing in proactive maintenance, you invest in the future of your business and the satisfaction of your clients or residents.
