How to make your commercial premises more welcoming to visitors

They say first impressions are everything. In fact, some studies have shown that 55% of first impressions are visual, meaning that it’s more important than ever to make sure your business’ premises look the part when visitors come to your site. That’s why we’re presenting you with a few tips on how to make your commercial premises more welcoming to visitors, not only in 2023 but far beyond too!

Keep your roof and gutters clean.

Naturally, we start with keeping your roof clean and your gutters free from debris. You may think that your visitors won’t look up or inspect your roof and guttering…but they’ll almost certainly look up if they get dripped on by a leaking gutter or a loose piece of moss falls on their nice clean blazer! You need to ensure that your premises receives routine gutter maintenance so that gutters don’t become clogged up with various bits of foliage, and that your roof is regularly cleaned, reducing the risk of bits falling off into the gutters.

Clean your windows

Many commercial premises have large windows to let lots of natural light into the building, particularly if it’s a retail store or an office on an industrial park. Keep your windows free from bird droppings, grime and fingerprints and schedule in regular window cleaning.

Keep your car park in good condition.

Nobody visiting your premises wants to be weaving in and out the way of potholes which could potentially cause damage to their vehicle, driving over lots of loose gravel or struggling to find a proper parking space due to a lack of marked bays. Car parks also often find themselves full of litter which flies out of peoples cars on windy days, so make sure that any loose bits are picked up and disposed of in the proper manner. Remember, car parks are often the first thing a visitor experiences when they turn up at your premises, so it’s absolutely vital that it’s free from potholes, litter, leaves and overgrown weeds!

Make all signage clear and obvious!

Your visitor has potentially gone to great lengths to come and see you, possibly by driving for considerable time, and so the last thing they’re going to want to do is to try to locate the right unit or office. This is not only incredibly frustrating for them, but it also could be wasting precious time which they could be spending with you. Make sure your business is signposted as accurately and as obviously as possible, and try to offer signage well in advance of them having to make a manoeuvre such as turning into an industrial estate.

Provide a warm and welcoming reception area.

When a visitor has driven a long time or caught multiple trains, buses and taxis to come and see you, they’re going to want to be welcomed into a comfortable reception area and greeted in a professional and friendly manner. It could be a great idea to build a reception area which has comfortable seating, beverages are offered and that clear instructions are given if needed, such as how to sign in and out, where emergency exits are, and any PPE which has to be worn whilst on site. Also, consider the temperature of both the reception, and the building as a whole; visitors want to be comfortable and not freezing cold due to overenthusiastic air conditioning or boiling hot due to faulty heating systems!

So there we have five key things to consider when making your premises more welcoming to visitors! If you need help in making your commercial property more appealing by having its roof cleaned or its gutters cleared, then we are here to help! Get in touch with us today by calling 01748 835 454 or send an email to

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What to look for when choosing an commercial gutter cleaning company

Choosing to partner with a commercial gutter cleaning company can be a minefield. There are quite a few different companies out there, from nationwide contractors such as ourselves, to smaller sole-trader outlets, and just like any service, supplier, partner or contractor, you need to ensure that the company you select to clean your commercial property’s gutters is reputable and are up to delivering the service they say they can. That’s why we’ve written this piece on what to look for when making your choice.

Experience

Experience really can make the difference when it comes to commercial gutter cleaning. With years of experience comes familiarity, expertise and of course an excellent level of knowledge, and hopefully reputation too! Here at UK Gutter Maintenance, we have been delivering high quality service and expertise since 2008, with many of our staff having decades of experience in the industry.

Qualifications

Qualifications can be just as important as experience. Not only do they offer proof that the company or individual concerned is certified to be undertaking the task, but qualifications in the industry or sector also help offer you peace of mind that there has been accreditation from a specific governing body or regulator.

Communication

Communication is absolutely vital when it comes to choosing a contractor for any piece of work on your commercial or industrial premises. It starts right from the very moment you think about making an enquiry. Was the potential contractor easy to find on Google? Did their website offer you the information you need? Were their contact details easy to find? From then on, consider how quickly the company gets back to your enquiry, and how clear they are with their response. A personal touch is always a good sign, which usually means a phone call to whoever has enquired.

Price

Of course, many decisions in life are based on finance, and choosing a commercial gutter cleaning contractor is no different for a lot of businesses. However, there is that old saying “you get what you pay for” and various others with a similar sort of sentiment… At UK Gutter Maintenance, our prices are reflective of our knowledge, skills and experience, as well as our all round service, whilst also aiming to ensure that we are competitive. This has served us well over the years, and is part of the reason why we’ve partnered with so many businesses, including several household names, over the years.

Case Studies, testimonials & reviews

Case Studies, testimonials and reviews are a brilliant indication of a business’ previous success and performance on jobs and tasks similar to the one you’re enquiring about. Any company worth their salt will be able to provide examples of previous work and a testimonial or review from the client. Some will even happily provide you with the contact details for the relevant contact at a previous job so you can hear it straight from the client directly! We have a number of testimonials from current and former clients available to read on our website, or for those looking for a little more detail, a selection of case studies too!

These are just five things to look for when choosing a commercial gutter cleaning company, but of course there may be some other elements which we’ve not mentioned in any great detail, such as the areas they cover and their appearance. Overall though, whatever your commercial gutter cleaning needs, UK Gutter Maintenance are here to help you.

Preparing your Commercial Property for Autumn

September is here, and with it, the cooler temperatures, wetter weather and, despite the vibrant colours which nature brings, conditions which could potentially cause damage to your commercial property. That’s why we’ve put together this piece on preparing your commercial property for Autumn, identifying areas on which to focus around the start of the season in order to ensure that your commercial property is fighting fit for the autumn and winter.

Gutters

Being commercial gutter maintenance specialists, it’s only natural that we should start with your business’ guttering! Dirt and debris can build up over time, especially if you don’t have a routine gutter maintenance schedule, and this will block your gutters. Blocked gutters can lead to rainwater damage both to the gutter itself, along with structural issues.

Roofs

As the colder, wetter months approach, inspecting the roof of your commercial property becomes a vital part of building maintenance. The last thing you need is a leak, which could potentially cause damage to stock, machinery or other assets, or loose tiles or boards which could potentially cause damage to people or other property.

Fortunately, here at UK Gutter Maintenance, we offer commercial roofing services as well as our guttering options, so you can address these aspects in one go!

HVAC

The last thing you or your employees want when it gets cold is to be chilly when at work! Therefore, it’s absolutely vital that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are working as they should. Schedule in a service as soon as you can to make sure that your filters are clean, thermostats are calibrated and that supply registers are adjusted.

Water Pipes

All outside and exposed water pipes need to be checked for leaks and damage. It’s also important to make sure that the pipes are well insulated for the winter. This will help stop the pipes from freezing and bursting, which could prove costly should the worst happen.

Landscaping

As with domestic properties, it’s important to undertake any necessary landscaping work, such as removing any trees, branches or shrubbery which could potentially have an impact on your commercial buildings’ structure or prove to be a health and safety hazard. Ensure that fire exits are clear from vegetation, branches do not overhang your roof and that there are no loose paving stones or potholes across the premises.

Exterior and Surfaces

Whilst you’re checking your roof, guttering and drainage, it’s also worth checking all of the exterior of your commercial property. Look for cracks, holes, chips or any indication of structural problems. In terms of holes and cracks, moisture will easily be able to get into these in the cooler months, being absorbed by the bricks and mortar, which could cause major problems in the future.

So there we have six key elements to remember when preparing your commercial property for autumn. If you have any questions, or would like more information on our guttering or roofing services, then please feel free to get in touch with us.