In today’s modern, conscientious world, it’s more important than ever to ensure all facets of building operations are functioning at their maximum efficiency. With aggressive ESG mandates, rising utility costs, and the impacts of climate change bringing considerable new challenges to the table, facility owners have their hands full—and the costs and implications of a system failure can be devastating.
These are just some of the reasons so many commercial property owners are enlisting the support of a trusted facility services provider.
“Today’s building systems are complex and often operate in conjunction with each other,” says Joe Laine, Operations Manager at Black & McDonald G.T.A Service. “When we receive a call day or night, we work with our clients to triage their needs and provide an integrated response. Similar to the way building systems work together as a whole, our licensed technicians are skilled in their specific disciplines, yet they work as an integrated unit. From the beginning of a call to the follow-up reporting and invoicing, our process is smooth and reliable.”
Whether it’s a healthcare facility, office, warehouse or data centre, the peace of mind that comes from working with a multi-trade service provider can’t be underscored enough. As Laine puts it, “It allows for one contractor to deliver a holistic and coordinated response, freeing up the facility manager or owner to focus on the core business. Our ‘boots on the ground’ services are complemented by a strong support staff and project managers. We work closely with our Energy & Sustainability Team to ensure we maintain and optimize building operations and guide our clients through the increasingly complicated world of building systems.”
In fact, the adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” aptly sums up Black &McDonald’s approach to doing business. When meeting with a prospective client, the first step involves reviewing each building system for an overview before developing a custom maintenance plan balanced against the client’s budget requirements.
“Our tailored maintenance programs are automatically scheduled, and our service technicians are professional and knowledgeable,” says Laine. “When we are on site, we are not only a client’s eyes and ears, but also a trusted advisor who can summarize equipment status, review items requiring attention, and provide meaningful recommendations.”
Risks & Rewards
Despite being a major cost centre, mechanical and electrical systems tend to go unnoticed—that is, until they fail. When systems suddenly stop working, the costs of reacting to a failure can add up to a lot more than the cost of conducting scheduled repairs or replacements.
“Combining regular preventative maintenance and capital planning for new equipment reduces the risk of catastrophic failure,” says Laine. “It means repairs are completed in a scheduled and controlled environment, reducing after-hours costs and producing better results with minimal downtime.”
On the other hand, failing to maintain or properly address issues as they arise can have serious cost implications. Property managers without a trusted partner can expect costs associated with everything from downtime, to overpaying for repairs, to liabilities if unqualified trades people were unwittingly hired to fulfill the work. Many building owners have found themselves paying for repeat repairs due to unsatisfactory results. As Laine points out, having a multi-trade service provider like Black & McDonald eliminates these risks.
“Through regular maintenance, OEM efficiency ratings can be sustained—which will also help to avoid unnecessary gas and electricity consumption, as equipment ages,” he adds. “We take pride in being available to answer the phone and direct any type of mechanical or electrical requests to an appropriate team member. Whether it’s a tripped breaker or a broken water main, one phone number makes it simple for you to get the assistance you need.”
New World, New Standards
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the value of indoor air quality and the need for mechanical and electrical systems that operate at their best. Prior to COVID, these systems were only addressed when there was problem—but those days are behind us.
“Today, building owners are thinking about how well their systems are working and they are actively seeking ways to improve them,” observes Laine. “Indoor Air Quality monitoring and management have never been more important. Similarly, the introduction of the Federal Carbon Tax is having a major impact on operating costs, not to mention the social responsibility side of reducing GHG emissions.”
As the cost of utilities increases and technology changes, it can be difficult to manage the road forward given the number of options and confusion around incentives and loan products.
“Black & McDonald offers a full range of consultation and technical support to guide and assist you on your journey,” he says. “We’ll develop a tailored solution to meet the specific requirements of your building or portfolio.”
For more info, visit www.blackandmcdonald.com
