Commercial vs Domestic Maintenance: Key Differences

While the fundamentals of property maintenance apply to all buildings, commercial and domestic properties have distinct requirements. Understanding these differences helps you plan effectively and choose the right maintenance partner.

Scale and Complexity

Commercial properties typically have more complex systems — larger HVAC units, commercial kitchens, fire suppression systems, lifts, and more. Domestic maintenance is generally simpler but still requires expertise across multiple trades.

Compliance Requirements

Commercial premises face stricter regulations. Fire safety, accessibility, health and safety, and industry-specific requirements all need attention. Domestic properties have fewer regulations but landlords still have legal obligations around gas, electrical safety, and smoke alarms.

Response Times

Commercial maintenance often requires faster response times. A broken heating system in an office affects dozens of employees; a security issue at a retail unit can't wait. Domestic repairs are important too, but there's usually more flexibility on timing.

Working Hours

Commercial work often needs to happen outside business hours to avoid disruption — evenings, weekends, or overnight. Domestic maintenance typically happens during the day, though emergency callouts can be any time.

Planned Maintenance

Commercial properties benefit greatly from planned preventative maintenance programmes. Regular servicing of equipment prevents breakdowns and extends asset life. For domestic properties, annual boiler servicing and periodic inspections are usually sufficient.

One Provider for Both

If you manage both commercial and domestic properties, working with a single maintenance provider simplifies everything. One point of contact, consistent service standards, and streamlined communication across your portfolio.