Building maintenance and property services cover a wide range of skills and crafts. They’re the specialist trades that ensure our buildings get built, maintained and adapted to the highest of standards.

Let’s take a look at some of the trades involved.

Brickwork

Bricks are still the overwhelming building material of choice and, when done well, the finished job is attractive and hard wearing. Bricks are typically laid in an offset pattern to ensure there is an adequate overlap between joints from one row to the next. This ensures that the joints are not positioned directly above one another on different rows. It’s a trade that’s regularly called upon in construction maintenance for large scale projects or small maintenance.

Carpentry

Carpentry involves the cutting, shaping and installation of wood for buildings or other construction projects. It’s a key trade when it comes to both domestic and commercial building maintenance. From simple items such as beading, frames, skirting and doors to large scale work, it’s the building trade that covers more facets than any other.

Cladding

Cladding is the application of one building material over another to provide an extra layer to a building. These are protective and increase insulation. It can be one of the most cost effective and quick ways to create walls and roofs. Cladding materials now come to a very high specification and the finished effect is professional, well insulated and can make a positive difference to the appearance of a building. Cladding is widely used in commercial settings.

Ceilings

Ceilings can be made in a variety of materials with a number of different finishes. Plasterboard skimmed with finishing plaster leaves a smooth finish. Aluminium grid with inlaid ceiling tiles and appropriate lighting is a common option in commercial settings. Ceiling work is one type of office building maintenance task that periodically needs to be undertaken.

Concrete

Factory floors, goods yards and forecourts have to withstand a lot of wear and tear. It’s not surprising that concrete work is a regular job in industrial building maintenance. Concrete is the bread and butter of construction firms. Maintenance jobs might include strengthening or patch repair to existing floors or the laying of new ones.

Decorating

Decorating is the finishing touch to most buildings be they domestic or commercial. Factories, offices and schools require regular decoration often with specific specialist skills. While the decorating of walls, ceilings and woodwork may be straightforward, areas such as factory floors may need epoxy painting to ensure their durability and an experienced maintenance contractor should be employed.

Electrics

Electrics are one area where you can’t afford to cut corners. Safe, functioning electrics are an essential part of property management maintenance. Electrics jobs range from adding electrical facilities and capacity to existing systems to completely new installations. It’s essential that any maintenance contractor who undertakes electrics work has properly qualified electricians who can provide the necessary certification upon completion.

Flooring

Often flooring is regarded as something of an afterthought when it comes to the initial build. The same applies to ongoing building maintenance. Any flooring work needs to be carried out to the highest of standards. Whether opting for carpet, vinyls or laminate floors, the chosen flooring needs to hygienic and hard wearing. In some situations such as factories and other industrial areas. epoxy screeds may be necessary.

Plumbing

Working plumbing is often taken for granted but when it breaks down, its importance really comes to the fore. Central heating, toilets, basins, large commercial heating systems and general drainage are all covered by plumbing. There’s a lot to go wrong and a lot to maintain. Plumbers working for maintenance contractors should have all the necessary qualifications. It’s not the most glamorous of trades, but with ever increasing complexity in water and heating systems, plumbers are one of the most technical and skilled professions in building maintenance.

Roller Shutters

When it comes to commercial property security is paramount. Theft and vandalism are sadly a feature of modern life and when it hits businesses, the costs can be considerable. Roller shutters are a good first line of defence against theft and they’re available in both manual and electric models. They can be used for general access or with security in mind. They can be heavy duty galvanised steel or as more attractive open shutters such as you might have on a jeweller’s shop. Roller shutters are more adaptable than you might think, and a good building contractor should be able to fit and maintain a wide range of specifications.

Staircases

The fitting of staircases is one of the most heavily regulated areas of building work and it’s not without good reason. They have to be safe and able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. Poorly fitted staircases can be extremely dangerous to life and limb. After safety has been considered, your staircase design has to consider practicality. It’s no good fitting a safe yet difficult to use staircase into a commercial building. The final consideration is aesthetics with staircases increasingly being design features in their own right. Timber staircases in particular can be very attractive features. Getting everything right when it comes to the construction and fitting of staircases requires high levels of technical knowledge. It’s not for nothing that staircases are often an opportunity for commercial building maintenance companies to highlight their skills.

UPVC/Aluminium Windows

Windows are an essential part of any building project and good maintenance is key to ensuring they’re still doing their job in years to come. Whether UPVC or aluminium, a building contractor should be able to fit windows, doors and shop fronts along with the associated entry systems.

N Harris Building Contractors are an experienced building maintenance company in the West Midlands

With nearly thirty years of trading, N Harris have a wide range of experience in all aspects of building and maintenance. With a skilled team of tradesmen and experienced subcontractors, we can manage your project from beginning to end. Whatever your building and maintenance requirements N Harris Building Contractors have the skills to do the job with the minimum of fuss.

Got a project in mind? Contact us today to discuss your requirements in detail.