Does anyone know the inductry average for managed square feet for non-commercial & commercial properties? I can remeber seeing it somewhere but can't seem to track it down. Thanks for your help.
Charlotte,
What exactly is your question? Do you mean how large is the average commercial building? In any case, Both BOMA and IFMA have excellent benchmarking information, you might find your answers there.
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the confusion. I am looking for a benchmark or standard for the average number of square feet a facility/property manager is assigned. I am trying to justify a the potential for new property manager hire and would like to know the amount of assigned square feet is the norm. Currently our group is assigned roughly 3 million per PM.
I just completed BOMA FMA certification however I can't seem to find it in the manuals. Any info would be great.
If you look at IFMA Operations & Maintenace Benchmarks Research Report #32 they show staffing per square foot
You could check out IREM for current survey information. Last information I recall was from a 2007 Property Manager Journal (publication of IREM) survey that said something to the effect that the average was 1.5 to 2 million. IREM would be a good source.
I think the answer can vary widely - especially with respect to Facility vs. Property manager. In my experience as an FM, the portfolio sizes have been more like 1 to 1.5 million. However, the complexity of the buildings were higher than average. Three million feet of anything sounds like way too much for one person, though.
This is an interesting question. There is no maximum square footage of how much a facility professional can manage that I have found as I have researched this question myself in the last couple of years. it is dependant on knowledge and experience. A good reference that will help in guiding you in finding the answer you need is also the RS MEANS books. They tell how many employees are recommended per square foot, but does not set a standard.
Check out this web article, it might be what you saw.
http://www.fmlink.com/Surveys/industrysurveyresults.htm
Its quite interesting to define the job description of facilities manager or control manager. Perhaps, its depends upon the experience and qualification in terms of training, etc. Cuerrenty in our company the current facility manager having the responsibility of kingdom wide branches buildings operating by 27 staff direct and indirect.
Therefore, if any standard shows or proof the specific area in sq.fts or sq.mts., it will be great for all facility management who can fix bench mark for staff appraisal and recogonition.
Thanks for all to this review and interested to hear soon.
Regards,
I currently have approximately 6.5 Mil square feet. We are in the process of adding another 6 Mil square feet and I do not believe there are plans to hire another manager.
I remember seeing averages like that on an IFMA site but BOMA / BOMI I am sure has a number.
Charlotte, it seems to me this number could vary widely based on the type of space involved, i.e. someone could manage a larger footprint of warehouse type space as opposed to occupied office space found in a work station type environment. Bottom line, more people equal more requests for service from a facilities standpoint.
Chris
In our hospital system for the Facilities Group, we average 40,000 SF of "conditioned space" per FTE. This is very lean for hospital requirements these days.
That has steadily widened from years ago 1 per 33,000.
Great Question! I too have been trying to justify the need for another facilities coordinator. We are a retail company with just under 3.5 million s.f. and I have 2 coordinators and myself. Being a retail store, we handle everything from HVAC, lighting, plumbing, sound systems, flooring, locks, doors, fixtures, etc.
I agree with several posts here that experience is a large factor in determining what can be handled per person. But after a point, even the most experienced coordinator can get overwhelmed. Not exactly sure what the load would be on the PM side, but I'm sure it would not be much different.
Just a thought why not have one facilities manager but than under that person have a operations officer that would hanle HVAC Plumbing Electrical than have anohter person for lockes doors and security issues.
Simple breakdown between 3 people same level, that work together as a team,and they report to the Facilites manager.