It is common, as the school year progresses, for construction and maintenance projects to be made to ensure the building’s longevity and safety. When the time comes to repair your building, it is important to know the proper steps you should take, so that the job is completed on time and within your budget. Below is the recommended planning process that you can use to plan your school’s repair project, and make sure that your students, faculty, and administrators have an excellent school year!
Identify the Problem
It seems simple enough, but identifying the area of repair can be quite the challenge if you are not properly prepared. It can be beneficial to contact a general contractor or professional to help you diagnose the problem, and identify the proper course of action.
Select the Proper Contractor
Once the problem and repair plan has been identified, the next step is selecting the right commercial contractor for the job. This can be the contractor who helped you initially identify the problem, or a different company with a more specialized expertise. Other factors, such as budget and timeframe, should be considered when selecting a contractor. Our membership directory provides contact information and an easy way to request quotes from reliable, local contractors in various construction industries like plumbing, electrical, and more.
Complete Necessary Paperwork
As with most commercial construction projects, there will most likely be paperwork that should be completed before it gets underway. Make sure that all the necessary paperwork has been completed with the contractor, school district, school board, and any other necessary entities that are involved.
Choose a Start Date
Finally, work with your contractor to choose a start date. Larger, more involved projects will naturally require more time, so these are best saved for the extended summer break when students will not be in the building for class. Quick repairs can be done during shorter breaks, such as Christmas vacation. Either way, it is important to know what type of project will be taking place so that all necessary parties can plan properly.
Announce Your Repairs
Once the repairs have been made, now its time to share with the public. Whether it is students, teachers, staff, or parents, they would appreciate knowing that construction maintenance has been completed. This providers further confidence in their decision to go to that school because it may lead to better test scores and grades for students. School repairs could also lead to a potential increase in community member’s property value because having a good school system is important to potential home buyers. In fact, a study by Brookings Institution found an average difference of $205,000 in home prices between houses in high-performing and low-performing school districts.
Overall, Identifying and planning a school repair or maintenance project can be stressful and time-consuming; however, if you start with these steps in mind, the process can go much smoother, ensuring a successful school year. If you would like more information or assistance on your next school project, contact us at (330)-539-6050, or visit our membership directory to find a contractor.
