TLDR:

• Emergency repairs cost 3x more than preventive maintenance due to rush fees, after-hours charges, and premium parts

• Property managers who skip routine maintenance face budget overruns and tenant complaints

• Tony Schmidt's systematic maintenance approach prevents emergencies before they happen

The $15,000 Emergency That Could Have Cost $2,000

Three weeks ago, a property manager in Troy called us at 6:30 PM on a Friday. The HVAC system in their 12,000 square foot office building had completely failed during a July heat wave. Tenants were threatening to leave early, the after-hours service call alone cost $400, and emergency replacement parts had to be rush-ordered at double the normal price.

Total cost for the emergency repair: $15,400.

The same HVAC system could have been serviced, cleaned, and had its failing components replaced during a routine spring maintenance visit for $2,100. But that maintenance call was "postponed" to save money in the short term.

This scenario plays out across Greater Dayton every month. Property managers trying to control costs end up spending far more when systems fail unexpectedly.

Why Emergency Repairs Cost So Much More

When property systems fail during business hours, evenings, or weekends, every aspect of the repair becomes more expensive:

After-Hours Service Charges: Weekend and evening service calls typically cost 1.5-2x normal rates, with minimum charges of $200-400 just to show up.

Rush Parts and Materials: Emergency replacement parts often cost 2-3x normal prices because they must be sourced immediately, not ordered in advance at bulk rates.

Limited Contractor Availability: When you need service immediately, you can't shop around for competitive pricing. You pay whatever the available contractor charges.

Tenant Disruption Costs: Emergency failures during business hours disrupt tenants, potentially leading to rent concessions or lease termination threats.

Cascade Failures: One system failure often triggers problems in related systems, multiplying repair costs.

The Real Numbers Behind Emergency vs. Preventive Costs

Last year, we tracked maintenance costs across 47 commercial properties in the Greater Dayton area. Properties with systematic preventive maintenance programs spent an average of $3.20 per square foot annually on all maintenance and repairs.

Properties that relied primarily on emergency repairs averaged $9.80 per square foot – more than triple the cost.

For a typical 10,000 square foot office building, that's the difference between $32,000 and $98,000 in annual maintenance costs.

What Smart Property Managers Do Differently

Successful property managers don't wait for systems to fail. They invest in preventive maintenance programs that catch problems before they become emergencies.

At Flyers Edge Property Solutions, our preventive maintenance approach follows a systematic schedule that addresses all building systems:

HVAC Systems

• Spring startup and fall shutdown services

• Quarterly filter changes and system inspections

• Annual duct cleaning and coil maintenance

• Proactive replacement of aging components before failure

Electrical Systems

• Annual panel inspections and connection tightening

• Lighting assessments and proactive bulb replacement

• Emergency generator testing and maintenance

Landscaping and Grounds

• Seasonal preparation that prevents drainage problems

• Tree and shrub maintenance that prevents storm damage

• Irrigation system winterization and spring startup

Building Envelope

• Roof inspections that catch small leaks before major damage

• Sealant and caulking maintenance

• Parking lot crack sealing that prevents major resurfacing needs

How Our Bundle & Save Program Prevents Emergencies

Tony Schmidt personally oversees preventive maintenance programs for all our clients. Instead of hoping different contractors remember to schedule their services, we coordinate all maintenance activities:

Systematic Scheduling: Every system gets attention on a planned schedule, not when it breaks down.

Early Problem Detection: Regular inspections catch small issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Coordinated Service: When maintenance on one system affects another (like HVAC work requiring electrical coordination), we handle all the scheduling.

Budget Predictability: You know your maintenance costs in advance instead of getting surprised by emergency repair bills.

Real Results from Preventive Maintenance

One of our clients in Centerville operates a 15,000 square foot medical office building. Before working with us, they averaged three major emergency repairs per year, costing $8,000-12,000 each.

After implementing our preventive maintenance program three years ago, they've had zero emergency system failures. Their annual maintenance costs dropped from $47,000 to $28,000, and tenant satisfaction improved significantly.

That's $19,000 in annual savings, plus eliminated tenant disruption and the stress of dealing with emergency repairs.

The Cost of Waiting

Every month you delay preventive maintenance increases the likelihood of emergency failures. Systems don't improve with age – they deteriorate predictably.

The question isn't whether your HVAC, electrical, or other building systems will need attention. The question is whether you'll address their needs on your schedule or theirs.

What Preventive Maintenance Covers

Our comprehensive maintenance programs address all major building systems:

• HVAC: Seasonal service, filter changes, duct cleaning, system optimization

• Landscaping: Seasonal preparation, irrigation maintenance, tree care, snow removal planning

• Custodial: Regular cleaning schedules that prevent deep-cleaning emergencies

• General Maintenance: Roof inspections, sealant maintenance, parking lot care

• Emergency Planning: 24/7 contact for true emergencies, with priority response for maintenance clients

Ready to Stop Paying Emergency Prices?

If you're tired of budget-busting emergency repairs and want predictable maintenance costs, it's time to implement a systematic preventive maintenance program.

Tony Schmidt personally designs maintenance schedules that fit your property and budget, preventing emergencies before they happen. Our Greater Dayton clients save an average of 60% on total maintenance costs compared to reactive repair approaches.

Call Flyers Edge Property Solutions at (937) 565-9613 to discuss a preventive maintenance program for your properties. Let us show you what coordinated, proactive property care looks like.