With proper aftercare, the life of wall cladding and eaves is significantly extended

Hardeman | van Harten, which specializes in roof and wall cladding, completes hundreds of construction projects each year for various clients. Although these buildings shine upon completion, over time they are exposed to various weather influences, among other things. This can cause wear and tear. In order to extend the lifespan and keep the completed buildings in good condition, Hardeman | van Harten offers a new service: Service & Maintenance. With this new service, clients are completely unburdened!

After completion of a project, the end user moves into the building and business activities are started or resumed. Daily operations start and crowds increase. Over time, various causes, such as heavy truck traffic entering and exiting at loading docks or weather impacts, can cause dents or other damage to panels and eaves. Prompt repairs after the fact are crucial for optimum preservation of the wall panels and eaves, but taking preventive action is even better.

The need for good service and regular maintenance is becoming increasingly clear. Indeed, from construction companies, project managers are noticing an increased demand for maintenance contracts, indicates project manager and director Martijn Jansen. "In addition, we see that the climate is changing and that we are facing much more severe weather conditions such as storms every year, which can cause damage. It is therefore important to maintain the cladding properly, because due to the working of a building, for example, the screws sometimes run out a bit. This may seem harmless at first, but after a big storm, a piece of flashing may blow off as a result. Repairing this flashing is not that expensive, but the consequential damage can be quite extensive. We have seen consequential damage in the past, with the flashing blowing off onto a car."

To provide aftercare, a brand new department was created within Hardeman | van Harten. Cornelis did not pass up the opportunity to independently set up this new Service & Maintenance department. With a backpack full of experience in the construction industry, Cornelis has been focusing fully on this new department for several weeks now. When asked what energizes him, he answers wholeheartedly: "The freedom I get within this company to build this department." 

Maintenance as part of a sustainable future

To relieve clients of as much of their worries as possible, Cornelis offers maintenance contracts. "When customers opt for a maintenance contract, I come by annually for an inspection specifically focused on the wall cladding and roof edges. Through this inspection, damages are noticed earlier and, in some cases, even fixed immediately. Afterwards, a company can expect a detailed inspection report with a clearly defined Plan of Action. When the customer wants damages repaired, I call in the in-house assembly team. This assembly team specializes in maintenance and ensures that damages are carefully and professionally repaired."

Sustainability is a hot topic in the construction industry today. Even after project completion, it remains one of the most important topics. This is because it is not just a matter of trendiness, but an ongoing responsibility to minimize our impact on the environment and manage buildings in an efficient and environmentally friendly way. "Entering into a maintenance contract also contributes to the sustainability of a property. Performing annual inspections, preventive maintenance and prompt repairs keeps a property performing optimally and extends its lifespan," Cornelis said.

Hardeman | van Harten emphasizes that maintenance contracts are available not only for newly completed buildings, but also for existing properties. Whether it's a recently completed building or one that has been in use for years, the maintenance contract offers the same benefits: sustainability, cost control and complete relief for the end user.