As a business owner, you have a lot of liabilities, and that can be pretty daunting. One of the areas where owners can be particularly vulnerable is for the cleaning and maintenance of their parking spaces and lots.
If you own this part of your business, you may be liable for any damage customer vehicles incur because of the condition of your space. You may also be liable if you do not have proper accessibility features as required by law.
Keeping your parking lots clean is a big deal for your business. A clean lot shows that you care for your property and helps prevent damage to your customer’s vehicles. These five practices will help you keep your lots in great shape year-round.
- Easily accessible trash cans that are regularly emptied. Overflowing trash cans are one of the easiest ways to make your business look dirty and gross. Empty and remove trash from the lot regularly. Consider investing in specialized trash cans with multiple compartments for bottles and recyclables. It will help your customers to sort their trash better and helps the environment!
- Trim bushes and trees that overhang the lots. Bushes and trees are great for shade, but they can be bad to park a vehicle underneath. Tree branches can break and fall on a vehicle, or birds can nest in a tree branch and leave nasty presents on the hood. Getting your trees and bushes trimmed will keep your lots free of potential hazards and help keep wildlife away.
- Regularly sweep out your lot. Dirt and dust accumulate easily in parking lots, especially in underground lots that don’t get rainfall. Maintain a consistent schedule for cleaning the lots so that the vehicles that park there don’t get dirty.
- Keep your lines and signs visible. Proper signage and line painting can help reduce accidents and keep things neat and clean. If you offer reserved spots, make sure they are clearly marked so that the customers that use them always have access.
- Arrange for regular snow and leaf clearing. In the winter, you’ll need to keep your lots clear of snow and ice. Hiring a snow clearing company is one way to stay on top of this task. In the fall and spring, you’ll need to keep the lots free of dirt, debris, and fallen leaves. Make sure you always arrange lot cleanings at the end of each season and as needed.
Parking lots don’t have to be such a huge hassle for business owners. They can even be a source of revenue if you rent the parking stalls out. Your role is to make sure that your lots and parking areas are always accessible for your customers. We can help. Our facility management team can connect your business with trusted vendors who can provide snow clearing, landscaping, parking lot cleaning, and maintenance services.
All you have to do is call us, and we’ll get you set up with a consistent cleaning schedule from a trusted service provider. Clean, safe parking lots reduce your liability as a business owner and will make your customers happy. So make it a priority today!
