If the thought of planning and coordinating a painting schedule for your property has you breaking out in a cold sweat, fear not. As with any daunting task, the best approach is to take it one step at a time. We’ve put together a step-by-step, stress-free process to help you implement a painting maintenance plan in the most efficient way possible (sanity intact).
1. Identify what needs to be done (right down to the last doorknob)
Commercial property maintenance is a (seemingly) neverending task. Before you call in a commercial painting contractor, establish every single requirement that needs to be addressed in your painting project. Your property has multiple painting requirements, ranging from inside to outside and everything in between, and every single one of these needs to be factored into the ‘bigger maintenance picture. This step isn’t only important for planning a realistic schedule - it’s where you determine your budget too.
2. Prioritise all tasks in order of importance
List the areas or tasks in order of importance, as well as when they need to be completed. This will help you avoid disruptions to students, tenants or residents due to a hallway not being dry yet. It will also reduce the pressure on your team so they don't have to scramble to find suitable workarounds. By prioritising your painting schedule in order of importance, you can make informed decisions as to which areas need attention first, and then allocate the budget and resources accordingly.
3. Identify the best time to perform the work
Once you’ve established what needs to be done, and your available budget, it’s time to find the period that suits your stakeholders best. Depending on the scope of work and your particular needs, this could range from after-work hours or a weekend to several weeks during holiday periods. It pays to plan ahead though - not thinking in advance about the best time to do the work could mean you end up using a sub-par contractor, or that the job is rushed due to a limited timeframe.
4. Shortlist contractors who are able to complete your painting schedule within your chosen timeframe
Once you’ve established what needs to be done and when is the best time to do it, you can begin your search for a suitable commercial painting contractor. There are several criteria to bear in mind when evaluating potential contractors, but in short, you need to:
- Establish that they’re compliant with industry standards
- Contact their references
- Ensure they have extensive experience in the industry
- Establish whether or not they have completed similar projects
5. Communicate your painting schedule with your chosen contractor
A streamlined painting schedule hinges on clear communication between you and your contractor of choice. Be explicit about your timeframe, expectations and budget from the get-go.
Any painting contractor worth their salt will prioritise frequent communication and ensure that you’re informed of any delays or changes to the proposed schedule.
Your paintwork is an investment that needs protecting to ensure the ongoing appearance of your building and reduce future expenses. Learn how to keep your paintwork looking fresh for longer with our handy guide to painting maintenance.
Higgins Coatings is Australia's premier commercial painting contractor with over 70 years of experience in providing cost-effective painting and tailored maintenance solutions to a broad range of industries including hospitals, aged care, schools, and strata. If you need quality painting services delivered on time and within budget, contact us today.
