What is a Facilities Manager?    Â
To a busy Estate Manager, a good Facilities Manager can be an invaluable asset. In terms of home management, think of a House Manager as one who handles everything that happens IN the house and a Facilities Manager as one who handles everything that happens TO the house. Many who take the role of Facilities Manager are moving up from Houseman or perhaps segueing from a vendor or contractor role. If you can lure one of the people who built the home to your team- do it! You’ll be hiring an expert on your unique property.
Facilities Managers cover a wide field with a diverse range of responsibilities, depending on the size of the property and the needs of the Estate Manager. Facilities Managers can be involved in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations, particularly in relation to the mechanical systems and grounds.
Responsibilities for Facilities Managers in a private setting often include building and grounds maintenance, janitorial services, security & safety systems, equipment operation, and automated systems management. In smaller homes, duties may include more handyman tasks and exterior services.
Why do I need one?
A Facilities Manager can eliminate 99% of emergency service calls with a proper preventive maintenance schedule. Many facility management professionals are true jack-of-all-trades with the ability to make an emergency fix on their own. When an emergency call is needed, they can make sure the home owner is receiving quality service and value.
Often an Estate Manager has multiple things to do at any given time; many of them service or project-related. The Facilities Manager can be the day-to-day point of contact for vendors, gardeners, and contractors and speak knowledgeably about the issues and projects in the EM’s absence. In the case of a multi-property Estate Manager, this is essential resource. Having someone on-site who can read blueprints or guide a vendor through a system can eliminate costly mistakes.
Facilities Managers can write the standard operating manuals for the equipment and mechanical systems in a home, outline their cleaning and preventive maintenance schedules, as well as draft the emergency response and evacuation plans.
A Facilities Manager can also serve as your Owner’s Rep on new projects. They will already be familiar with your team, your standards, and the vision of the principal. Of all the roles that assist an Estate Manager, the Facilities Manager can often contribute the most support.
