Commercial Property Maintenance 2025

Success in commercial property maintenance requires balancing tenant expectations, regulatory compliance, and budget constraints while preserving long-term asset value. PropertyBuild equips you with the latest strategies, tools, and vendor recommendations for commercial property maintenance in 2025, ensuring your properties remain competitive, well-maintained, and profitable.

Top 15+ Commercial Property Maintenance Services

Although there is some overlap with regular non-commercial rental property maintenance, there are several differences in commercial property maintenance services. Below we take a look at some of the most common types of commercial property maintenance services.

Parking Lot Sweeping

Most commercial properties have parking lots that need to be periodically cleaned. Parking lot sweeping services are sweeping trucks that mechanically drive through the parking lot and sweep up any trash, dirt, and debris on a periodic basis.

HVAC Maintenance

Regular servicing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to ensure they are functioning efficiently. This is especially important in commercial office properties, where filters should be changed out periodically.

Snow Removal

If snowfall is a regular occurrence, then snow removal services should be established beforehand. Snow removal usually takes place within the first 24-48 hours after the snow has stopped falling. State and municipal laws may also include language about snow removal that includes de-icing procedures such as putting salt or sand down.

Landscape Maintenance

Properly trimmed landscaping not only creates an inviting environment for customers, but also limits the risk for liabilities such as falling branches, vandalism, fires, pests, and more. Most commercial gardening services are usually performed on a weekly basis.

Waste Management

Commercial properties typically generate substantially more waste than typical residential homes. Waste management should be an efficient process that involves the handling, removal, and disposal of waste materials from the property, along with the implementation of recycling programs.

Access Control Systems

Depending on the property type, there can be various forms of access control that need to be regularly reviewed. This can include the regular inspection, maintenance, and updating of electronic access systems, such as keycard readers and biometric scanners, to ensure secure and smooth access to the property.

Window Washing

Window washing is a simple but effective commercial property maintenance service. The frequency of how often window washing occurs will depend on the property type and how many windows the building has.

Power Washing

Commercial properties typically bring a lot of traffic by nature. The more traffic a property brings in, the quicker that it gets dirty. in which things get dirty and need cleaning. The frequency of how often power washing occurs will depend on the property type and type of traffic that is visiting the property.

Common Areas

Since commercial property tenants usually share common areas, those common areas are usually maintained by the building owner or management. Common type common area maintenance include the upkeep (repairs and cleanliness) of common areas such as stairways, hallways, pools, recreation rooms in senior living facilities, gyms in student housing apartments, mail rooms, etc.

Elevators & Escalators

If the property has an elevator or escalation, regular servicing will be a routine service. Local governments typically require all mechanical people-moving devices to be regularly inspected to obtain their permit. Actual work performed on an elevator or escalator is typically done by third-party specialized companies for liability reasons.

Signage Maintenance

Signage maintenance involves the regular inspection, cleaning, repair, or replacement of both indoor and outdoor signs to ensure they are clearly visible, legible, and in good condition, reflecting the property’s professional image. This can include simply common bathroom signage, or building signage located outside on the building facade.

Compliance Inspections

Compliance inspections are a common and important task in commercial property maintenance. They are conducted to ensure that the property adheres to relevant local, state, and federal regulations, including building codes, fire safety standards, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, thereby minimizing legal risks and ensuring safety.

Janitorial and Cleaning

These services usually depend on the property type and common spaces that require cleaning. In commercial office buildings, regular cleaning is often a routine service provided by landlords. Comprehensive cleaning can include tasks like dusting, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, and trash removal. Regular janitorial services help maintain a clean, hygienic, and professional environment for employees and visitors.

Pest Control

Pest control services involve inspecting and treating commercial properties to manage and prevent infestations of pests like insects and rodents. These services are usually performed by a third-party vendor and important for maintaining a safe and sanitary environment and for protecting the property from pest-related damages. For retail properties with food service tenants, routine pest control is an essential requirement.

Painting and Decorating

Routine painting and decorating is a wise investment that covers the aesthetic upkeep of a property through interior and exterior painting, wallpapering, and other decorating techniques. It not only enhances the visual appeal of the property but also provides a layer of protection to surfaces.

Fire Safety Systems

Most local municipalities require regular inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire safety equipment, including fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and emergency lighting systems. It is essential for ensuring that in the event of a fire, these systems function correctly, thereby safeguarding the lives of occupants and minimizing property damage.

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Commercial Property Maintenance by Property Type

Commercial property maintenance is a critical aspect of managing and preserving the value of business assets. It is different from rental property construction, where it encompasses a range of services and practices aimed at keeping properties safe, functional, and appealing to both tenants and visitors.

Office

In office buildings, maintenance often focuses on creating a productive and comfortable working environment, which includes regular HVAC servicing, ensuring efficient lighting, and maintaining communal areas like lobbies and restrooms.

Retail

Maintenance in commercial retail spaces prioritizes the customer experience and safety, with an emphasis on aesthetically pleasing interiors, well-lit and clean display areas, and safe, easily navigable layouts.

Industrial

Industrial property maintenance emphasizes the uptime of a tenant’s business. This typically includes maintenance of the property’s critical infrastructure, such as ensuring the reliability of electrical and mechanical systems to support uninterrupted industrial operations.

Multifamily

In multifamily residential properties, common property maintenance includes tasks such as regular cleaning and upkeep of common areas like lobbies, hallways, and recreational facilities to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for residents.

Commercial Property Maintenance Costs

Commercial property maintenance costs are usually priced on an annual per square footage basis, with exact pricing being based on property type, age, location, and tenant responsibilities. These expenses include routine upkeep like HVAC servicing, landscaping, and cleaning, as well as unexpected repairs and capital improvements that preserve property value and tenant satisfaction. Effective maintenance budgeting and preventive strategies can reduce long-term costs by 15-30% while minimizing disruptive emergency repairs that impact cash flow and tenant retention.

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What is Commercial Property Maintenance?

Commercial Property Maintenance Definition

Commercial property maintenance refers to the ongoing care and repair tasks required to preserve the functionality and appearance of commercial properties. This includes routine services such as cleaning, landscaping, and HVAC maintenance, as well as emergency repairs and upgrades to ensure the property remains safe, operational, and attractive to tenants and visitors.

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Commercial Property Maintenance Explained

Commercial property maintenance encompasses a wide range of tasks designed to protect the value, safety, and visual appeal of business properties. It involves scheduled inspections, preventive measures, and prompt responses to issues, ensuring that building systems, such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, operate efficiently. In addition to handling routine cleaning and landscaping, maintenance teams also coordinate larger projects like renovations, code compliance, and safety upgrades. By maintaining high standards, property owners can minimize costly repairs, attract and retain quality tenants, and create a positive environment for employees and visitors.

Commercial Property Maintenance FAQ

Who is Typically Responsible for Commercial Property Maintenance?

Typically, the responsibility for commercial property maintenance falls on the tenant. This is most common in triple net leases, where the tenants are responsible for maintenance responsibilities. However, major structural, mechanical, and common area maintenance issues are generally the responsibility of the owner or their designated property manager. Maintenance responsibilities should always be outlined in the lease agreement upfront to avoid any conflict, should an issue arise.

How Often Should Maintenance Tasks be Performed on a Commercial Property?

The frequency of commercial property maintenance tasks depends on the type of property and its specific operational needs. Regular scheduling helps prevent breakdowns, supports tenant satisfaction, and ensures regulatory compliance. The table below outlines how often key maintenance tasks are typically performed across different types of commercial properties.

Property Type	Typical Maintenance Task	Common Frequency
Office Buildings	HVAC servicing	Quarterly to Semi-Annually
Retail Centers	Exterior cleaning & parking lot care	Weekly to Monthly
Industrial Facilities	Equipment inspections & safety checks	Monthly
Hospitality Properties	Guest room and common area cleaning	Daily
Medical Complexes	Sanitation and waste management	Daily to Weekly

Should I use a CMMS for my Commercial Property Management Software?

Needing a CMMS for your commercial property depends largely on your portfolio size and complexity. Smaller portfolios with just one or two buildings may manage fine with basic property management software, while larger portfolios or properties with complex systems benefit significantly from dedicated CMMS functionality. A CMMS becomes increasingly valuable as you scale beyond 100,000 square feet or manage multiple properties, helping you centralize work orders, track preventive maintenance, and monitor vendor performance across locations. For most commercial property managers overseeing diverse assets or aging buildings, integrating a CMMS can reduce maintenance costs by 15-30% and prevent costly emergency repairs through better organization and proactive maintenance scheduling.

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Best CMMS

Wondering which Commercial Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) offers the best combination of features, ease of use, and value for managing your commercial property maintenance? Check out our detailed rankings of the best CMMS solutions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and keep your properties running smoothly.

Top 10 Best CMMS