What’s more stressful than a leaky roof? Knowing that leak could turn into a $100,000 replacement if you don’t act. Delaying maintenance adds up fast. Did you know that delaying work now can increase future costs by 600%?
We get it—maybe you don’t always have the budget you need, or maybe you’re short-staffed, and despite great intentions, you can’t get one task done before another one pops up.
Deferred maintenance feels like an endless game of catch-up. But neglected maintenance costs you more than just the cost of repairs. Neglected maintenance jeopardizes safety, risks liability and higher insurance costs, and fuels hidden losses through downtime and facility closures.
The good news? You can take control and knock out years of neglected upkeep.
Here’s a 5-step plan to tackle a decade’s worth of maintenance in just 90 days.
1. Start with a Fast-Track Facility Assessment
Walk through your facility and document urgent repairs.
Categorize issues into:
- Safety risks (e.g., electrical hazards, leaks, HVAC failures).
- High-cost consequences (e.g., roof leaks that could destroy assets).
- Efficiency boosters (e.g., LED retrofits to lower energy bills).
Get this list right, and you’ll have a clear game plan.
2. Use the 80/20 Rule to Prioritize
We understand what you’re going through. Budget constraints have forced you to choose immediate needs over long-term strategy. Here’s a hard truth. 80% of failures often come from just 20% of the problems. That’s where you focus first.
- Tackle the biggest impact issues first—before they snowball.
- Ask: “What’s draining the most budget, time, and energy?”
Knock these out before they become budget-busting disasters. Think about it this way. Deferred maintenance costs increase by 20% each year if the issues aren’t addressed. So, tackle them now before the costs become astronomical.
3. Deploy a Rapid-Response Team
If you’re trying to condense a decade’s worth of repairs into just three months, you need the maintenance equivalent of Seal Team 6. Enter The Budd Group.
- Bring in a facility services provider that can:
- Send multiple specialists simultaneously (HVAC, electrical, plumbing).
- Fast-track work orders and materials sourcing.
- Stagger work in phases so your facility stays operational.
This approach ensures critical repairs don’t get deferred (again.)
4. Invest in Preventative Maintenance
Once you’ve caught up, don’t fall behind again. Set up a proactive strategy to keep things running smoothly.
- Set up scheduled inspections for critical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical).
- Use CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Software) to track maintenance history.
- Install IoT sensors to predict failures before they happen.
Preventative maintenance isn’t a buzzword—it’s your golden ticket to long-term savings.
5. The Payoff: What Happens When You Act Now
Deferring maintenance may save money in the short-term, but proactive maintenance saves you far more. Every $1 of deferred maintenance costs you $4 later.
- Lower long-term costs (repair > replace).
- Eliminate safety risks (compliance, liability avoidance).
- Extend asset lifespan (better ROI on equipment).
- Increase property value (tenant/occupant satisfaction).
Need Help Fixing Your Facility Fast?
Tackling 10 years of maintenance in 90 days is possible—but only with the right strategy and the right team. Partner with The Budd Group and we’ll help you prioritize, plan, and execute maintenance recovery efficiently—without disrupting daily operations.
With over 6 decades of experience in maintenance, repairs, and asset management, The Budd Group can rapidly deploy skilled teams, streamline work orders, and ensure every critical task is completed properly.
Serving a wide range of industries, The Budd Group is the trusted partner you need to transform a decade’s backlog into a smoother, more sustainable operation.