Facilities Management: A Practical Solution for Businesses and Owner-Occupied Commercial Properties

Facilities Management is an ideal solution for property owners who don’t require full-service property management, but would still like an experienced manager overseeing their building needs. Many businesses operate out of owner-occupied commercial buildings, and for those owners, managing maintenance and repairs for the property can quickly become a distraction from running their core business.

Facilities Management provides peace of mind by placing responsibility for daily operations—such as recurring maintenance, vendor coordination, and repairs—into the hands of a dedicated professional.

Suntide Facilities Manager, David Bearon, describes his role as an essential resource for property owners, overseeing everything from preventative maintenance and groundskeeping to snow removal, vendor management, and electrical and plumbing repairs.

“Suntide can be a reliable source for repairs and ongoing preventative maintenance,” Bearon says. “Business owners can focus on what they do best, and rest easy knowing their property is in good hands.”

A Structured Approach to Facilities Management

Each Facilities Management assignment begins with a clear, collaborative process focused on understanding the client’s objectives and the needs of the property:

Understanding Your Goals

The first step is meeting with the property owner or occupant to discuss their goals and how the building supports their business operations. Suntide works to develop a thorough understanding of how the building operates, the challenges it has faced, and its maintenance history—including prior repairs, major projects, utility usage, and long-term planning considerations.

Understanding How the Property Is Used

Suntide conducts an in-depth evaluation of how the property functions day-to-day. David Bearon and Mitch Robertson, Suntide’s Director of Property Management, tour the building with the client to review the layout, mechanical systems, and existing maintenance procedures.

This walkthrough also allows for meaningful discussion about what’s working well, and where improvements may be needed. Understanding how people interact with the building—such as which spaces are most heavily used, when areas are vacant, or whether occupants experience comfort issues—helps inform practical and cost-effective solutions.

Identifying Energy Efficiency Opportunities

Energy efficiency is another important component of facilities management. Suntide evaluates the building’s systems to identify opportunities for improvement, including:

• HVAC system condition and performance
• Lighting systems and automation
• Daylight harvesting and sensor technology
• Existing Energy Management Control (EMC) systems

These evaluations often uncover both small adjustments and larger upgrades that can improve comfort while, at the same time, reducing operating costs.

Vendor Management and Cost Control

At the start of each assignment, Suntide connects with all existing vendors servicing the property. These relationships are treated as partnerships, ensuring expectations and scopes of work are clearly defined, and what the project really needs.

Suntide also reviews third-party contracts and benchmarks costs on a per-square-foot basis against its broader managed portfolio. If services appear misaligned with market standards or the scope of work is outdated, contracts may be rebid through Suntide’s extensive vendor network to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Capital Improvements Planning

Facilities Management often includes evaluating potential capital improvements. Suntide works closely with clients to understand expectations, budgets, and timing. At one property, for example, Suntide is currently coordinating bids for a restroom renovation—managing the process from evaluation through contractor selection, then through work start to completion of job.