Deferred maintenance
Deferred maintenance, often referred to as Deferred Maintenance and Repair (DM), is most common in the US and Australia but may also be used in the UK. The US Department of Energy refers to it simply as "Maintenance and repairs that were not performed when they should have been or were scheduled to be and which are put off or delayed for a future period."
When budgets are under pressure, it can be tempting to put off planned and preventative maintenance programmes as a way of saving money. However, not only will it be necessary to face those costs at some point, they may in fact be higher than if they had been dealt with sooner, as straight-forward repairs become major replacements.
Job order contracting (JOC) is a procurement method (primarily used in the United States) for contracting construction services. JOC is often applied to deferred maintenance work that has accumulated over time.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
Comments