A facilities manager (FM) is responsible for the ongoing management of a building or estate after construction - ensuring the building operates safely, efficiently and in compliance with relevant legislation. Facilities management spans two broad disciplines: hard FM (building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems, lifts, fire systems) and soft FM (cleaning, security, catering, reception and workplace services). The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) is the principal professional body in the UK, providing qualifications and a Chartered FM designation. Facilities managers are typically employed rather than appointed as consultants, but outsourced FM service providers and managing agents also provide FM services to building owners and occupiers who do not have in-house FM staff.
What they do
- Manage planned preventive and reactive building maintenance programmes
- Procure and manage service contractors - M&E, cleaning, security and catering
- Ensure statutory compliance - fire safety, asbestos, legionella, pressure systems
- Manage energy consumption and environmental performance of the building
- Oversee space planning and workplace moves and changes
- Manage FM budgets and capital expenditure planning
- Coordinate emergency and business continuity planning for the premises
- Manage tenant and occupier relationships in multi-let buildings
When you need one
A facilities manager is engaged after construction to manage the ongoing operation of a building. Their involvement is most cost-effective for larger commercial premises, multi-tenanted buildings or any property with complex M&E systems.
Typical costs / earnings (UK, 2025)
| Role / arrangement | Typical cost / salary |
|---|---|
| FM coordinator / junior FM (employed) | £28,000 - £38,000 / year |
| Facilities manager (employed) | £35,000 - £55,000 / year |
| Senior / head of FM | £55,000 - £85,000+ / year |
| Outsourced FM consultancy (retainer) | £1,500 - £5,000 / month |
| FM audit and compliance review | £1,000 - £4,000 |
Outsourced FM services (cleaning, security, M&E maintenance) are in addition to the FM management fee. Total FM costs for a typical commercial building are typically 10-20% of the annual rent.
Qualifications to look for
The principal professional qualification for facilities managers in the UK. Chartered FM status requires a qualifying qualification, experience and a professional assessment. Verify membership at iwfm.org.uk. Members are required to maintain CPD.
IWFM offers a qualification framework from Level 3 (Award/Certificate) to Level 7 (Masters level). These qualifications cover both hard and soft FM disciplines and are the most widely recognised FM-specific qualifications in the UK.
Some facilities managers come from a surveying or construction management background, holding MRICS or MCIOB alongside IWFM membership. This combination is particularly valuable for FM roles with significant building fabric or capital expenditure responsibilities.
How to find a facilities manager
Related Calculators
Build Cost CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What does a facilities manager do day to day?
A facilities manager oversees the day-to-day operation of a building or group of buildings. This includes managing planned and reactive maintenance, coordinating service contractors (cleaning, security, mechanical and electrical), ensuring compliance with health and safety and fire safety regulations, managing energy consumption, and dealing with space planning and workplace changes. On a strategic level they manage supplier contracts, annual maintenance budgets and longer-term capital expenditure planning for the building.
Do I need a facilities manager for a small commercial building?
For a small commercial property - such as a single-occupancy office or shop - facilities management is often handled by the business owner or a property manager rather than a dedicated FM professional. A dedicated facilities manager is most cost-effective for buildings of 1,000 sq m or more, multi-tenanted buildings, buildings with complex M&E systems, or where statutory compliance requires active management (for example a building with a sprinkler system, pressurised systems or passenger lifts). Many landlords of smaller buildings use outsourced FM consultants on a retainer rather than employing a full-time FM.
What is the difference between hard and soft FM?
Hard FM covers the physical building fabric and engineering systems - maintenance of the structure, mechanical and electrical plant, lifts, fire systems and building envelope. Soft FM covers the services that support the occupants rather than the building itself - cleaning, security, catering, landscaping, post room and reception services. Facilities managers typically oversee both hard and soft FM services, either managing in-house teams or coordinating outsourced service contractors.