How To Determine if In-House Facility Management Best for Your Business
Businesses thrive by focusing on what they do best. In-house facility management can deliver a high quality of service. However, many teams lack access to the specialized tools & training available through professional commercial cleaning & facilities management providers. This often leads companies to pursue long-term partnerships with external experts.
Some advantages of outsourced training include spatial cleaning routines, procedural optimization & sheer staffing capacity. In addition to personnel-related strengths, outsourced providers often bring broader access to advanced technology & equipment.
Available technology may include automated sweeping & mopping machines, floor scrubbers & buffers, & UV-C radiation lamps that are safe for human spaces while eliminating viruses & bacteria on contact.
In-House Facility Management Advantages
Internal teams are typically easier to reach during standard business hours & often operate on a fixed salary. They may have valuable institutional knowledge, such as understanding VIP schedules or anticipating recurring events that impact space usage.
Internal staff may also be more attuned to irregular traffic patterns—like a conference room that sees unexpected bursts of activity during certain meetings. Additional training & certifications can be required based on business-specific needs.
In-House Facility Management Disadvantages
There are trade-offs to every model. Holiday coverage must be accounted for. Facility managers may be unavailable after hours.
Training programs can become costly & time-intensive. Other recurring expenses may include company vehicles for site transit or dedicated phones for managing maintenance, janitorial & support staff.
Outsourced Facility Management Advantages
Outsourcing facilities management can deliver immediate, tangible results. High-traffic areas are serviced more efficiently. Tasks are strategically grouped to save time.
For example, desks must be sanitized before anti-microbial coating is applied. Carpets may need a second vacuum pass if cleaned before surface treatments. Some coatings have limited effectiveness on fibers but are highly effective on high-touch surfaces like keyboards & chairs.
These optimized processes can deliver cost savings while helping businesses maintain consistent performance across locations.
Skill Flexibility
Outsourced facility management teams are available on-call, offering a wide range of specialized knowledge. Common capabilities include:
- Digital task tracking & verification
- Training across mechanical, janitorial, HVAC sterilization, window cleaning, & power washingaq2ew
- Green Seal, LEED, & GBAC-certified practices using electrostatic foggers & advanced disinfectants
- HazMat containment, clean-up, & remediation
- Collaborative, team-based cleaning protocols
Access to these skill sets can deliver a strong competitive advantage. Equipment used by professional firms often carries six-figure price tags—making outsourcing the more economical option in many scenarios.
Cost Scalability
Managed service providers scale operations as needed. This includes dispatching specialized staff for classified environments or sudden events.
Predicting exact staffing needs is difficult, especially when traffic surges due to social media trends or unexpected crowds. A scalable model allows for quick adaptation to such conditions.
Professional MSPs also assume liability for staff & service quality. Accidents, issues, or disputes fall under the service provider’s purview—removing risk from the client’s shoulders.
Outsourced Facilities Management Disadvantages
Outsourcing reduces control over day-to-day staffing decisions, though top-tier MSPs allow flexibility in assigning preferred personnel. Project costs vary, unlike the predictability of fixed in-house salaries.
Outsourced teams may need more time to align with company culture & protocols. That said, many adapt quickly, depending on experience & internal processes.
Hourly rates may appear higher—but include bundled expenses like training, benefits, & equipment upkeep. Many organizations ultimately report a higher ROI when comparing total long-term costs against internal programs.
For over a century, outsourced facilities management has helped companies stay clean, compliant & operational. Technicians receive ongoing training aligned with emerging industry standards. Certification in LEED Green, Green Seal & other sustainability programs sets a clear benchmark for eco-conscious service delivery.
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