There’s no doubt about it. Podcast studio ownership is one of the coolest businesses to be in these days.
Podcasting continues to surge in popularity year over year. Grand View Research projects the podcast market will reach $131.13 billion by the end of 2030. We’re currently at $30.72 billion in 2024.
But…
Many studio owners obsess over microphones, sound proofing, and editing software. They forget about taking care of the actual building itself. And when you neglect building maintenance, it can cost you thousands in unforeseen repairs down the road.
Nobody wants to spend time on things like parking lot repair or interior plumbing. But these things are what keep the lights on.
Don’t worry…we’ll bring you back down to earth.
Here’s What We Cover:
- Why Property Maintenance is Important for Podcast Studios
- Parking Lot Repair: What You Need to Know
- Interior Maintenance Essentials
- Seasonal Maintenance
- Maintenance Budgeting 101
Why Property Maintenance is Important for Podcast Studios
Every week you have guests coming into your podcast studio.
Listeners, sponsors, partners. They all need a place to gather and record.
First impressions matter. Don’t let your studio be defined by cracked parking lots or faded paint before people step foot inside.
There’s another reason property maintenance is important, too.
Commercial properties need maintenance to retain their value. If you neglect the little things, they become big problems.
A small pothole can turn into a lawsuit. One leaky roof could result in thousands of dollars of water damage. It’s always less expensive to prevent than repair.
Because podcast studios regularly bring in guests, maintenance helps establish your brand before people even enter the building.
Budgeting for parking lot upkeep with trusted experts like Asphalt Coatings Company is one less thing to worry about. Your parking lot will look fresh, and you can expect consistent pricing year after year.
Simple. Easy. Pretty important.
Parking Lot Repair: What You Need to Know
Your parking lot takes a pounding daily.
Between cars, rain, ice, and shine, your parking lot fights off the elements daily. When you don’t protect and maintain your parking lot, headaches aren’t far behind.
Parking lot maintenance is easier than you think.
Applying sealcoat every few years can add a decade or more to your asphalt. Sealcoat protects from UV rays, precipitation, and vehicle fluids. Professionals recommend reapplying sealcoat every 2-3 years.
Any cracks that occur should be filled immediately. Water gets into cracks and expands when it freezes. One little crack can become a gaping hole.
Patching potholes is non-negotiable. Don’t let visitors wound their cars (or you lose customers) because you ignored a pothole. Potholes hurt vehicles, and they open you up to liability.
Line striping is just like waxing your car.
Yeah, it’s not going to change the life of your parking lot. But it sure makes it look nice. Well-defined parking spaces allow for proper traffic flow and maximum use of space. Additionally, faded lines are a tell-tale sign you aren’t keeping up with maintenance.
Your parking lot maintenance should include:
- Inspections annually (Spring)
- Sealcoating every 2-3 years
- Crack sealing as needed
- Line striping when visibility is poor
Stop putting off parking lot repair. It’s not complicated, and you’ll save money in the long run by being proactive.
Interior Maintenance Must-Knows
The outside of your building is important. But, your podcast studio lives on the inside.
Podcast studios have different maintenance requirements than your typical commercial buildings. Materials used for sound proofing, HVAC needs, and recording equipment all play into maintenance.
HVAC maintenance is critical.
Recording studios require a stable environment. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can negatively impact your equipment and the quality of your recordings. Be sure to have HVAC’s inspected twice a year.
Electrical deserves attention, too.
Your studio will pull a lot of power for lights, equipment, and HVAC. Old wiring could create a fire hazard. Not to mention, it can feed interference to your equipment. Have your electrics inspected yearly.
Believe it or not, you should inspect your plumbing, too.
Leaks can ruin your equipment and sound proofing. Water heaters, pipes, and fixtures should be inspected regularly by a professional.
Here’s a pro tip…
Invest in pest control. Pest control is more critical to your studio than most businesses. Bugs don’t care about your podcast. But, mice love to chew through wires. An ounce of prevention saves you from costly replacements.
Seasonal Upkeep
Mother Nature doesn’t care about your podcasting schedule.
Use the seasons to your advantage. Plan maintenance work during slow periods, and don’t let projects overlap.
Spring is your opportunity to assess exterior damage.
Winter is tough on parking lots, roofs, and the exterior of your building. Inspect these items in the spring to identify problems before they get worse. Plus, spring is the perfect time for parking lot repair. Temperatures are mild which allows the asphalt to cure properly.
Don’t forget about your landscaping, either.
Overgrown bushes give the appearance you don’t care about your building. Leaving them can cause damage to your foundation, too.
Summer is when you plan any major work.
Roof repairs, parking lot restoration, painting…these things all should be done when it’s not raining. Plan major projects around your production schedule.
Use fall to prepare for winter.
Cleaning your gutters helps prevent ice dams from forming. Inspect your HVAC to ensure your heating system is functional. Additionally, run through your doors and windows and replace any weatherstripping that’s worn.
Winter is typically reserved for reacting to problems.
You can’t paint in the winter (unless you’re indoor only). Plan ahead and focus on maintenance that can be done indoors. Keep your parking lot cleared of snow and ice to prevent “slip and fall” accidents.
Repeat every year, and you’ve got yourself a beautiful podcast studio.
Maintenance Budgeting 101
Maintenance is never free. But, repairs always cost you more.
It’s recommended you budget $2.00 – $2.50 per square foot of your building every year. Podcast studios may need to increase that budget slightly due to specialized maintenance requirements.
Allocate your maintenance budget as follows:
- 60% planned maintenance. Things you know will happen and when they will happen. HVAC inspections, sealcoating your parking lot, annual inspections.
- 25% repairs. Things break and wear out. When you have the budget allocated, you’re not left scrambling.
- 15% should be reserved for emergency repairs. The stuff that can’t wait. Storm damage, major equipment failure, and roof leaks fall into this category.
Monitor every dollar you spend on maintenance. Maintenance history can highlight problem areas. Maybe it’s time to just replace your HVAC instead of repairing every year. Perhaps a section of your parking lot continues to fail because of drainage.
Knowledge is power.
Review and revise your budget quarterly. You may find you spend more on parking lot repair one year. Then again, you may spend more on interior maintenance some years.
Wrap-Up
Podcast studios don’t run themselves.
Yes, producing content is at the core of your business. But if your facilities aren’t up to par, nobody will want to come in and record.
Remember:
- Parking lot repair and maintenance are important because it creates first impressions.
- Interior maintenance requires a little something extra because of podcast studio specifications.
- Create a seasonal maintenance calendar. This will spread out maintenance and prevent you from taking on too much at once.
- Budget appropriately. Doing so will allow you to be prepared for both planned maintenance and surprise repair.
Grow your podcast business without worries of a falling ceiling. Assess the condition of your studio, create a maintenance calendar, and budget for it all to happen.
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