how to start a tile maintenance program without OVERWHELMING your budget

One of the main reasons we hear from office managers of why they don’t have a tile maintenance program is that it costs too much. We can agree that tile maintenance costs can add up but by neglecting tile maintenance all together, the bill is just adding up for the future. And not to mention our floors look dirty and dull, which isn’t the best reflection on any business. 

But if you haven’t planned properly for the expense of tile maintenance how do you even get started without overwhelming your budget? We have helped many businesses get started with tile maintenance programs even if they had not previously had money set aside in their business budget for this needed expense.  
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So today, we’ll dive into how to make starting a tile maintenance program affordable with some practical tips and suggestions. We’ll consider a few approaches that can decrease the sense of overwhelm with adding this new expense to your financial budget. It will also help you make the most of the money that you can spend now while increasing your maintenance budget for the future. ​

Approach 1: Break It Down Into Smaller Sections

Having a large area of tile floors to strip and wax at one time can be very expensive if funds have not already been set aside. To make maintaining a large area more affordable, breaking down service areas into smaller areas maybe a good way to get started. The facility is divided into areas and each area receives maintenance at alternate times.  

For example, in a large medical practice the halls and restrooms may have maintenance one month, then the exam rooms, break rooms and offices would be done the following month. This approach breaks down the total service area into smaller parts, so the cost is more affordable. The floors will still get the maintenance they need, look great while not overwhelming your budget. ​

Approach 2: Include the Cost with Your Monthly Janitorial Service Payment

If you’re not a fan of having your tile floors done in sections and would prefer all floors done at the same time so they all look great, this approach may work for you.  This approach works best if your janitorial service also does your tile maintenance. But if you use a different service there is also a work around. 
  
How this approach works is to break the cost of the maintenance service down into monthly payments. You’ll need to know the cost of the maintenance service you want and how often you want to have that service completed. 

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So, you’ll take the service cost and divide that by the frequency you want the service done. This is the amount extra that you will pay every month in addition to your regular janitor service invoice.  

Here’s an example:
  
If it costs $900 to strip and wax the tile quarterly, you would pay an additional $300 per month. At the completion of the third payment the janitorial service could schedule your tile maintenance service to be completed.  
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Without any additional expense or planning your facility will be able to maintain great looking floors. It is much easier to budget for 1/3 the cost of a maintenance service rather than pay such a large amount all at one time.  ​

Of course, talk to your janitorial service provider about this arrangement before sending in those extra payments. The company may be fine with this arrangement or they may not like the accounting of pre-payment of services. And you’ll want to ensure that when the service amount is paid the company will schedule and complete the tile maintenance.  
 
Let’s say the janitorial service refuses this arrangement or you use a different company for tile maintenance you can still make this work for you. Instead of sending the payment in advance to the service provider, simply save the money until it’s time for the maintenance service. Then your company will have the funds available when the time comes while having a consistent expense from month to month. 
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The best thing about this approach is that it allows you to have a consistent monthly expense from month to month with no large bills. From our experience this overall makes tile maintenance easier to afford.  ​​

Approach 3: Spend What You Can Budget Now

Just getting started where you are with a tile maintenance program is the most important thing. With this approach, you’ll decide how much money you can spend right now (this month, quarter or year) and accomplish what you can with that budget.  

This does not mean to seek the lowest cost provider and receive low quality work. Find a quality service provider and talk openly with them about what you can afford to spend right now. You’ll also want to share what you want to accomplish as far the appearance of your tile floors. They can then tell you what can be done within that budget that can reach the desired goal.  
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The benefit to this plan is that you’re getting started and setting aside money to improve the look of your tile floors. Your business will also be able to begin to budget for a more comprehensive tile maintenance program for the future year or adopt approach number two as your business consistently builds a fully funded tile maintenance budget. 

There are few things better to invest in than the appearance of your building. When clients walk in and your building is clean it immediately starts to create a positive impression. With maintenance being such an important part of your business, it deserves a budget that reflects that importance.  With these three approaches, you can find one that fits where your business is financially, so you get started without overwhelming your business budget.

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About Quality Maintenance & Repair Service, Inc
Quality Maintenance & Repair Service, Inc is a full service commercial janitorial company servicing the Jacksonville Florida and surrounding areas. We provide expert, quality and affordable cleaning solutions for large and small properties. In addition to janitorialservices we also provide maintenance services such as window washing, carpet cleaning , tile floor care and general building maintenance.

Office: 904-388-8790 Fax: 904-388-8799
​Email: [email protected]
www.qualitymaintenance.co