The Cost of Poor Vendor Oversight in Commercial Buildings
Introduction
Vendors are critical to the success of commercial properties. From landscaping to cleaning to security, they shape the tenant experience, protect the property, and impact NOI. But when vendors are not properly overseen, the costs are high: poor service, wasted resources, safety risks, and dissatisfied tenants. At Jonasvar, we believe vendor oversight is not about micromanagement. It is about building partnerships, setting clear expectations, and ensuring accountability through measurable performance.
The Risks of Poor Oversight
Without proper oversight, vendor performance often slips. Work is incomplete or inconsistent, safety hazards go unnoticed, and properties are exposed to liability. Something as simple as a missed snow removal can result in slip-and-fall claims, or a neglected inspection can create costly compliance violations. These failures lead to tenant dissatisfaction, reputational damage, and reduced NOI.
Jonasvar’s Approach to Oversight
At Jonasvar, we treat vendors as partners while holding them accountable to agreed-upon standards. We align their expertise with property needs and create schedules that support NOI. Oversight is structured as calibration, not a “gotcha” exercise. Our process includes regular inspections, photo documentation, and detailed checklists that capture performance. We also leverage digital reporting tools so owners can see vendor activity, performance, and compliance in real time.
Accountability and Compliance
Accountability is critical. Jonasvar uses service level agreements and KPIs tied to property goals to measure performance. If issues arise, we document them with logs and photos, create written corrective action plans, and track progress until resolved. If vendors continue to underperform, we escalate and replace them to protect the property and the owner’s investment.
Where Others Fall Short
Too many managers operate with a “set and forget” mentality, hiring the lowest bidder and assuming services are being performed. Contracts are not reviewed annually, and vendor performance often goes unchecked. Jonasvar takes a different approach. We conduct annual vendor reviews, revisit contracts, and adapt services to evolving property and tenant needs. By combining personal engagement with structured accountability, we ensure vendors operate as true extensions of the property’s operations.
Real-World Value
One property struggled with landscaping because the vendor had never been given clear direction. The contractor did what they thought was best, which did not meet the property’s expectations. Jonasvar stepped in, walked the grounds with the vendor, and created a plan with specific priorities. With clear guidance and follow-up inspections, curb appeal improved, tenant complaints dropped, and the owner avoided unnecessary rework costs. In another case, Jonasvar’s snow removal oversight, tied to clear service agreements and response triggers, reduced downtime and helped avoid potential liability claims from unsafe walkways.
Why Oversight is an Investment
We explain to owners that vendor oversight is not an expense but an investment. Strong oversight reduces risk, improves tenant satisfaction, and safeguards NOI. By building relationships with vendors, giving clear direction, and holding them accountable, Jonasvar helps properties prosper through continuous calibration and improvement.
The Bottom Line
Poor vendor oversight costs more than it saves. Strong oversight, built on partnership, performance metrics, and accountability, drives better results for tenants and stronger financial outcomes for owners.
Let Us Help
At Jonasvar Inc., we manage your property like it’s our own by fostering collaborative vendor relationships, enforcing accountability, and aligning vendor performance with property goals.
Wondering if your vendors are meeting expectations?