Outsourcing Maintenance & Lighting Upgrades: How Property Managers & MUDs Save Time, Money, and Improve Tenant Satisfaction

At a Glance

Outsourcing lighting, electrical, and signage maintenance allows property managers to reduce operational workloads while cutting return service visits by over 54%. By leveraging ENERGY STAR-qualified LED upgrades, portfolios can capture utility incentives covering 20–50% of project costs. Partnering with a turnkey provider like Action Services Group ensures centralized reporting, proactive preventive maintenance, and improved tenant safety across multifamily and mixed-use developments.

• Operational Efficiency: Reduce return service visits by more than 50% through data-driven maintenance cycles.
• Financial Incentives: Offset 20–50% of LED upgrade costs with utility rebates and energy efficiency programs.
• Risk Mitigation: Improve safety and reduce liability by utilizing licensed technicians and automated compliance tracking.
• Tenant Satisfaction: Proactive maintenance reduces complaints and improves property curb appeal and safety.
• Strategic Planning: Centralized reporting provides long-term visibility into infrastructure health across national portfolios.

Why Do Property Managers Outsource Lighting, Electrical, and Signage Maintenance?

For property managers overseeing multifamily communities, mixed-use developments (MUDs), and commercial portfolios, maintenance is one of the most time-consuming operational responsibilities, directly tied to tenant satisfaction.

Lighting outages in parking areas, electrical failures in common spaces, or non-functioning signage are not minor inconveniences. These infrastructure issues can:

• Create safety risks for tenants
• Increase liability exposure
• Generate maintenance complaints
• Reduce tenant retention

As portfolios grow, one of the most important strategic decisions property managers face is whether to maintain lighting and electrical infrastructure in-house or outsource these responsibilities to a specialized service provider.

What Is Maintenance Outsourcing for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Properties?

Maintenance outsourcing is the process of contracting ongoing infrastructure services, such as lighting repairs, electrical troubleshooting, and signage upkeep, to a third-party service provider that specializes in these systems.

Instead of managing emergency repairs internally or sourcing specialty contractors for each issue, outsourcing consolidates service needs under a single accountable partner.

This approach is commonly used across:

• Multifamily housing communities
• Mixed-use developments (MUDs)
• Commercial properties
• Student housing properties
• Industrial and logistics facilities

For lighting and electrical systems, outsourcing ensures that infrastructure maintenance is handled by trained professionals with proper safety certifications, access to equipment, and compliance expertise.

What Are the Benefits of Outsourcing Lighting and Electrical Maintenance?

Lighting and electrical systems are essential building infrastructure tied directly to safety, visibility, and tenant experience.

Outsourcing these services provides several operational advantages.

Reduced Liability Risk

Licensed and insured technicians assume responsibility for safety and workmanship, helping protect property managers from risks associated with electrical failures or workplace injuries.

Faster Emergency Response

Exterior lighting outages or electrical issues in shared tenant spaces require immediate service. Outsourced maintenance providers can deploy technicians quickly without internal staffing delays.

Compliance With Safety and Energy Standards

Exterior lighting systems must meet municipal safety codes and evolving energy efficiency requirements. Professional service partners remain aligned with these standards to support compliance.

Access to Modern LED Technology

Many commercial lighting systems now incorporate ENERGY STAR-qualified LED fixtures and automation technologies. Outsourcing gives property managers access to technicians trained in these systems without requiring internal training investments.

How Does Maintenance Outsourcing Improve Property Management Operations?

Maintenance coordination is one of the most labor-intensive responsibilities associated with property management.

By outsourcing lighting, electrical, and signage maintenance:

• Work order management becomes streamlined
• Preventive maintenance schedules can be automated
• Vendor coordination is eliminated
• Service reporting becomes centralized

This operational shift allows property managers to focus on revenue-generating priorities such as leasing strategy, tenant engagement, and long-term portfolio planning.

In-House vs. Outsourced Lighting Maintenance for Property Portfolios

Maintenance Needs	In-House	Outsourcing
Technician Availability	Limited by staffing	Scalable nationwide
Response Time	Dependent on scheduling	Dispatch-based
Vendor Coordination	Required	Eliminated
Maintenance Reporting	Manual	Centralized
Training Costs	Internal responsibility	Included
Equipment Access	Limited	Specialized
Preventive Maintenance	Reactive	Proactive

 

Case Study: Outsourced Lighting Maintenance Across a National Portfolio

Outsourced lighting maintenance programs are already delivering measurable performance improvements for organizations managing large, multi-site property portfolios.

A national specialty retailer partnered with Action Services Group to implement a fully managed interior lighting maintenance program across more than 1,900 locations. The objective was to reduce lighting and electrical maintenance costs, improve service response times, and gain better visibility into lighting infrastructure.

After implementing a centralized, fixed-fee maintenance program, technicians collected detailed site data during initial service cycles. This enabled future service visits to be completed with the correct replacement materials, reducing unnecessary return trips and improving scheduling efficiency.

Within the first four months, the client achieved:

• A 54% reduction in return service visits
• Immediate quarterly cost savings
• Projected long-term savings exceeding $80,000 in avoided return trips
• More than $160,000 in projected material cost reductions

This proactive, data-driven service model demonstrates how outsourced lighting maintenance programs can reduce operational inefficiencies and standardize maintenance performance across large portfolios.

How Does Lighting Maintenance Impact Tenant Satisfaction?

Tenant experience is directly tied to safety and visual consistency throughout a property.

Consistent exterior lighting in parking areas, functional signage for wayfinding, and properly maintained common-area electrical systems can contribute to:

• Improved perceived safety
• Reduced tenant complaints
• Higher lease renewal rates
• Enhanced property curb appeal

Preventive maintenance programs help ensure that lighting degradation and electrical inconsistencies are addressed proactively before they disrupt tenant operations.

Do LED Lighting Upgrades Qualify for Rebates?

One of the most overlooked benefits of outsourcing lighting upgrades is access to incentive programs tied to energy-efficient equipment installations.

Many ENERGY STAR-qualified LED lighting upgrades are eligible for financial incentives offered by:

• Local utility companies
• State energy efficiency programs

These rebates can often offset 20–50% of total project costs. When combined with reduced energy consumption and maintenance savings, property managers may achieve project payback periods of 2 to 4 years.

Partnering with a turnkey provider helps ensure that:

• Pre-approval applications are submitted correctly
• Installed equipment meets eligibility requirements
• Project documentation aligns with program guidelines

This reduces administrative workload while maximizing available incentive funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between mixed-use Development, multifamily, and commercial properties?

A mixed-use development (MUD) is a property that combines residential, commercial, and sometimes retail uses within a single building or on a single property. These developments often include apartments located above retail stores, office spaces, or restaurants.

A multifamily property is a residential building or community that contains multiple separate housing units within a single structure or complex. Examples include apartment buildings, townhome communities, and student housing developments.

A commercial property is a building used for business purposes rather than residential living. Examples include office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

What is maintenance outsourcing?

Maintenance outsourcing is the process of contracting infrastructure services, such as lighting repairs, electrical maintenance, or signage upkeep, to a third-party provider that specializes in these systems instead of managing these tasks with in-house staff.

What is preventive lighting maintenance?

Preventive lighting maintenance involves scheduled inspections and servicing of lighting systems to address issues before failures occur. This helps reduce emergency service calls, improve safety, and extend the lifespan of lighting equipment.

Do LED lighting upgrades reduce maintenance costs?

Yes. LED lighting systems typically last significantly longer than legacy lighting technologies, which reduces lamp replacements, service calls, and labor costs over time.

Maintenance Solutions with Action Services Group

Outsourcing lighting, electrical, and signage maintenance allows property managers to streamline operations, reduce long-term service costs, and create a safer environment for tenants across multifamily and mixed-use portfolios.

With proactive maintenance programs, LED upgrade opportunities, and access to available rebate incentives, partnering with Action Services Group can improve both operational performance and tenant satisfaction.

Reach out to Action Services Group to learn how scalable maintenance and lighting upgrade solutions can support your property portfolio. Reach out today by calling 610-558-9773, emailing [email protected], or scheduling a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.