The Season of Opportunity

When classrooms go quiet and hallways empty out, most people see a break. We see the most strategic window of the year. Summer is the optimal time for independent schools to take on the critical facilities projects that keep campuses safe, functional, and future-ready. It is a limited window, but when used well, it offers long-term operational savings, student and staff satisfaction, and a stronger institutional reputation.

Why Summer Projects Matter More Than You Think

With limited time and fewer people on campus, summer offers one of the only uninterrupted opportunities to address deferred maintenance, execute capital improvements, and proactively prepare for the year ahead. When schools miss this window, issues linger into the school year, creating reactive costs, operational disruptions, and long-term risk.

But when schools plan intentionally, summer becomes a strategic investment in reliability, safety, and cost containment.

Laying the Groundwork for a Productive Summer

Here’s how smart planning lays the foundation for summer success:

• Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs): A FCA can provide valuable insight when tracked closely through a CMMS. It can help schools monitor asset health and make smarter, data-backed decisions when planning for summer projects.
• Scope Planning: Every project gets fully mapped with goals, milestones, and timelines.
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This preparation ensures every dollar and every day is used efficiently.

During the Summer: Self-performance and Seamless Coordination

As soon as the campus clears, our crews are in motion, on site, on task, and on schedule. Our unique advantage? We self-perform many of the high-value projects that would otherwise be outsourced, saving schools money while retaining full accountability and quality control.

• Self-Performed Projects: From classroom remodels and beautification projects to roof and siding replacements, our trained teams execute quickly and efficiently.
• Project Management and Coordination: For larger vendor-necessary projects, HBM acts as an onsite project coordinator, ensuring schedules are met, issues are addressed immediately, and quality stays high.
• Minimal Disruption: We strategically schedule work around summer school programs, camps, and community events to minimize disruption while maximizing output. 
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Case in Point: A Summer Win in the Oakland Hills

At a prestigious independent school in the Oakland Hills, HBM’s onsite facilities manager and crew members self-performed two full roof replacements during the summer of 2024. One building spanned 3,500-plus square feet, the other over 4,000 square feet. By self-performing the shingles and underlayment replacement, the team completed both projects for under $15,000, a fraction of the $79,000 contractor quote. The result? Significant savings, zero disruptions, without sacrificing quality,  and a fully refreshed campus before the new year began. Therein lies the potential of an Integrated Facilities Management(IFM) team.

What Families, Donors, and Faculty Notice - Even If You Don’t

The return on investment of summer projects is not just operational; it is reputational, relational, and long-term. Well-maintained and visibly improved campuses inspire confidence in prospective families, donors, and talent alike.

• Enrollment Growth: Campus aesthetics and functionality are key decision factors for prospective families. Fresh paint, clean walkways, and polished spaces leave lasting impressions.
• Development Support: Donors want to contribute to institutions that show planning and momentum. Visible improvements reinforce a school’s credibility and stewardship.
• Talent Attraction: Educators and leaders are drawn to environments that reflect professionalism and care. Investing in campus upgrades also helps attract top-tier faculty and staff.
• Community Impact: Even during summer, your campus is a hub of activity. Improvements communicate to all visitors, parents, summer program participants, athletic programs, and more that your school is thriving and forward-thinking.
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Though often difficult to quantify in exact dollar amounts, these indirect benefits consistently deliver returns to schools that far outweigh the cost of the strategically assembled HBM crews who bring these projects to life.

When Summer Ends: Finishing Strong!

The final stretch is just as important. Here is how we make sure no detail is missed:

1. Final Walkthroughs and Quality Control
2. System Testing: HVAC, alarms, water lines, and more
3. Post Project Cleaning and Detailing
4. Close Out Documentation and Asset Updates

Our onsite teams ensure that every school opens its doors in the fall with confidence.

The Strategic Edge Schools Gain from the Right Facilities Partner

We’re strategic. We help plan, prioritize, and execute based on what will move your school forward.
We’re self-performing. That means more control, less cost, and faster turnaround.
We’re people-focused. Our teams care about your campus as much as you do.
We’re experienced. With dozens of independent schools served, we know what works and how to deliver it.

Make This Break Count

No matter the season, the best time to start planning facilities projects is before the window of opportunity opens. Early preparation leads to smarter budgeting, fewer disruptions, and greater long-term impact, especially when looking ahead to summer and beyond.

Ready to make the most out of this summer? Click the button below.

P.S. To help schools prep for summer projects, we put together a Summer Facilities Project Planning Checklist.