7 Tips to Prepare Your Commercial Property for Spring

Spring is blooming!

Now is the perfect time to formulate a plan for spring cleaning, improvements, and HVAC maintenance with your commercial property to make it the best building for potential tenants and buyers.

Your property should be assessed for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months. With spring quickly approaching, our Property Management team is here to provide a few suggestions to confirm your building is ready for the transition from cold temperatures and snow to warmer weather and greener grass.

Here are Sturges Property Group's seven steps for spring:

1. Identify safety concerns.

Make sure to review the conditions of walkways, entrances, wheelchair ramps, and outdoor lighting to eliminate potential safety issues. Snowplows can damage parking lots, blocks, and signage which can easily turn into more safety concerns. Keep your commercial property safe for all incomers and take care of issues quickly to look good to potential buyers.

No matter what, safety is of utmost importance.

2. Clean up outdoors.

Heavy snowfall or ice can damage your property, so look at parking lots and landscaping to maximize curb appeal to potential tenants. A well-crafted landscape will make your property stand out and bring property owners a higher return on investment. Because a property’s landscaping is the first thing potential buyers or tenants see, make a good impression and keep the outside of your property clear. 

“Commercial spaces with high-quality landscapes saw 7% higher rental rates than those without.”

- The University of Washington; Urban Forestry Research

3. Edge and mulch landscaping beds.

Apply a fresh layer of mulch each spring to give your commercial property an outstanding exterior look. Winter causes mulch to break down and summer sun fades its color, so adding new mulch gives beds a fresh, clean look. Add accent flowers, local shrubs and plants, and perhaps some accessories, like a bird bath, flagpole, or picnic table to make your exterior look inviting to clients and guests.

4. Fertilize and control weeds.

Give plants and shrubs a good feeding and use a pre-emergent herbicide to put a stop to stubborn grassy weeds. Depending on the plant, it may require different fertilization times during the year or different types of fertilizer. Along with new mulch, your landscaping is well on its way to becoming quite beautiful.

5. Address damaged turf.

Plan to repair any damage to your turf in high-traffic areas or areas that may have suffered from any disease. Diseased plants can spread their disease to other plants and easily destroy a large area very quickly.

6. Tune up the irrigation system.

Checking on your irrigation systems before turning them on for the season after winter can help you avoid many problems. Make sure you check valves, assess the system for wearing down, remove obstructions such as dirt from sprinkler heads, and check the water pressure. The transition time between seasons is the perfect time to address any improvements needed in your sprinkler system.

7. Schedule HVAC service.

Arrange to have your system serviced by a knowledgeable HVAC professional every fall and spring. Commercial HVAC systems must consistently and reliably provide heating and cooling for large spaces without experiencing considerable downtown. HVAX servicing certifies your cooling equipment is in good working order when it is needed most. Immediate benefits from this service include:

• Improved efficiency
• Fewer breakdowns
• Reduction of equipment and maintenance costs
• Better indoor air quality

A properly tuned central air conditioner will also help strengthen your readiness for the hot and humid spring and summer months. A well-maintained HVAC system can improve energy efficiency, cut electric bills, and improve the quality of indoor air.

“A spring tune up can improve your HVAC system’s energy efficiency by as much as 40%.”

- Institute for Building Efficiency

If you are ready for your spring HVAC service, contact our Sturges affiliate company, Maintenance Management. They have multiple licensed specialists on staff, which makes them a clear choice for servicing any of your seasonal HVAC or mechanical needs. 

Get Help from the Sturges Property Management Team

Hire a property manager if your property needs extra attention. It is the best thing you can do to get the largest benefit from your investment property. A Sturges property manager will remove stress by finding qualified professionals, gathering bids, and will always make sure your commercial property is handled with the greatest amount of care at a competitive price. Our team will ensure your building and landscaping are prepped and ready for the upcoming spring and summer months.

Contact us to learn more about the benefits of hiring a property manager.