When it comes to maintaining your outdoor estate, whether it’s a retail park, logistics hub, or local health centre, there are options for keeping things in order: reactive and planned maintenance. But what’s the difference, and which is best for your site?
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide.
What is Planned Maintenance?
Planned maintenance (also known as planned preventative maintenance) is about fixing things before they become a problem.
It’s routine, scheduled work that helps keep your site clean, safe and compliant all year round. Think of it like going to the dentist for regular check-ups, you might not have a toothache, but you go anyway to stop issues before they start.
At OUTCO, this could include:
- Regular grass cutting, hedge trimming or weed control
- Scheduled inspections of your car park or pathways
- Seasonal planting and litter removal
- Clearing drains before winter hits
The benefits:
- Fewer surprises
- Long-term cost savings
- Helps meet safety and environmental regulations
- Keeps your site looking professional and well-kept
What is Reactive Maintenance?
Reactive maintenance is what happens when something breaks, and you need it fixed fast.
It’s usually unplanned and often urgent – for example:
- A pothole appears in the car park
- A drain overflows after a storm
- A fence or sign is damaged
- An icy footpath becomes a slip risk
OUTCO’s reactive services are available 24/7, giving you rapid response when it matters most.
The benefits:
- Quick action when problems arise
- Ideal for emergency situations
- No ongoing contract needed
Which is Right for You?
The short answer: most sites need a mix of both.
Here’s how to think about it:
- You want to avoid costly repairs later: ✅ Planned maintenance
- You’ve got a tight budget and need flexibility: ✅ Reactive maintenance
- You’re managing multiple sites or tenants: ✅ Planned schedules help with consistency
- You need help urgently (e.g. after a storm): ✅ Reactive response is essential
How OUTCO Can Help
At OUTCO, we work with businesses across the UK from single-site retailers to national estates teams delivering both proactive and responsive solutions tailored to each site’s needs.
Whether it’s planned maintenance to keep your site in top condition, or reactive repairs to sort issues before they become hazards, we’re here to make your life easier.
And with our award-winning technology, you’ll always know exactly what’s been done and when complete with photographic proof, GPS tracking and downloadable reports via the OUTCO client portal.
Think of planned maintenance as an investment in the future and reactive maintenance as your safety net for the unexpected. The best strategy? Don’t choose one or the other – combine both and let OUTCO help you stay one step ahead.
Need help choosing the right mix for your site?
Call us on 0800 0432 911 or visit the OUTCO website to explore your options.
