Outsourcing vs. in-house building facility management: Which is better?
Organisations have two choices when it comes to running and maintaining a building: they can either hire outside help or do it themselves. Both choices have their own pros and cons, and it’s important to think about them carefully before making a choice. In this blog, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of outsourcing building facility management vs doing it yourself.
The Pros of Outsourcing Building Facility Management
Cost Savings
Organisations can save money by outsourcing building facility management because they don’t have to pay for a designated team or other resources to run and maintain the building. The outside company can also take advantage of economies of scale, which lowers the total cost.
Access to Expertise
When you hire a company to handle your building’s facilities, you can get access to skills that your own team might not have. The outside company can bring in specialised knowledge and experience, which can help make better decisions and run the building more efficiently.
Flexibility
Building facility management that is outsourced gives organisations flexibility because they can change the amount of service based on their own needs. This can be especially helpful for organisations whose needs change with the seasons.
The Cons of Outsourcing Building Facility Management
Potential Quality Issues
Because an outside company might not care as much about the building’s processes as an internal team would, building facility management may not be as effective as it could be. The organisation’s image could be hurt if the quality of the work goes down.
Security Risks
Outsourcing building facility management can also pose security risks, since the outside company might not know as much about the building’s security or care as much about it as an in-house team would. This could lead to safety rules not being followed or security being broken.
The Pros of In-House Building Facility Management
Control
When an organisation manages its own building facilities, it has more control over how the building is run and how it is maintained. The organisation can set up its own rules and procedures to make sure the building is run in a way that meets its wants and goals.
Consistency
With in-house building site management, the level of service is always the same. The people who work in the building know its needs better and can give steady service over time.
Knowledge of the Building
With in-house building site management, the team knows and understands more about how the building works and how it is put together. This can help people make better decisions and run the building more efficiently.
Improved Security
With in-house building facility management, the building and its people are safer because the team has a personal stake in making sure the building is safe and following safety rules.
The Cons of In-House Building Facility Management
Cost
In-house building facility management can be more expensive for the organisation because they have to pay for a devoted team and resources to run and maintain the building.
Limited Expertise
Building facility management that is done in-house may not have the same level of knowledge as a company that is hired from the outside. This can limit the level of service that is given.
Additional Responsibilities
When an organisation manages its own buildings, it has to take on more responsibilities. These include managing and training the team, buying tools and supplies, and making sure the rules are followed.
Potential Distractions
In-house building site management can take time and resources away from the organisation’s main tasks. It can also be a distraction from the organisation’s main goals.
Building facility management is an important part of how a building works, and organisations need to think carefully about their options when choosing whether to hire a company to do it or do it themselves. Outsourcing can save you money, give you access to experts, and give you more freedom, while managing things in-house gives you more control, more stability, and better security. Both options, however, have their own problems, such as possible quality issues and security risks with outsourcing and limits on cost and expertise with managing the business in-house.
In the end, the choice of whether to outsource building facility management or do it in-house should be based on a thorough analysis of the organisation’s wants, goals, and resources. It is important to carefully think about the pros and cons of each choice and compare them to the organisation’s priorities and budget.
Want to improve the way you handle your facilities? We’re here to help at RCR. We have years of experience in supporting both outsourced and in-house facilities management teams, so we can make solutions that fit your business’s needs.
Contact us today to find out more about how RCR can help you improve your building management, save money, and work more efficiently. Let’s work together to reach new heights with your building.
