Research - Benchmarks IV
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Methodology
The Benchmarks IV survey was developed in 2003. Members of IFMA's research committee examined questions used in previous surveys and determined which questions to repeat. To further enhance the survey, the committee created new questions pertaining to emergency/disaster planning, facility management IT, employee amenities and security practices. The final questionnaire was 12 pages and included a worksheet for respondents to aggregate facility costs.

A paper survey was sent by mail in November 2003. In the same month, IFMA's electronic members received an e-mail directing them to IFMA's web site where they could download the survey. More than 10,000 North American professional members received a copy of the paper survey or access to an electronic copy. A postage paid envelope accompanied the paper survey. Respondents were asked to provide information on their facilities for a twelve-month period of time. Many chose to report the data for calendar year, 2003. Approximately 450 surveys were returned during a five month time period. A total of 440 surveys were deemed usable for tabulation purposes. A completion rate of 50 percent was considered usable.

The data was analyzed using SPSS/PC+™ software. Extreme high and low values were omitted from data analysis to prevent the data from being skewed. Additional calculations were made to derive cost per square foot and square footage per occupant. If data was out of range, the respondent was e-mailed to determine how the information was derived. In many cases, new information was supplied and the information was subsequently entered. Canadian cost data was converted to U.S. currency by multiplying costs by a factor of .75, the currency exchange rate on March 23, 2004.

Procedures used for analysis include univariate procedures such as frequencies, cross tabulations, mean comparisons and descriptives. This report contains the results of those analyses deemed to be of most interest to IFMA members. Benchmarks IV is a self-report survey. All data including respondent identification was voluntary.

Shari Epstein
Associate Director of Research

Benchmarks IV

Table of Contents

About this Report .....1
Using This Report .....2
Definitions for Benchmarks IV Report .....3-4

Section 1: Description of Facilities .....5
Industries Represented .....6-7
Facility Use .....8
Facility Description .....8
Location of Facility .....9
Facilities by Region .....9
Facility Age and Setting .....10
Ownership .....11
Overall Ownership .....11
Owned vs. Leased by Facility .....11
Facility Characteristics .....12
Air-Conditioned/Heated .....12
Days and Hours of Operation .....12
Number of Occupants .....13
Site Population .....13
Developed Acres .....13

Section 2: Size of Facilities and Square Footage per Occupant .....15
Building Exterior Gross Area (Gross) .....16
Owned vs. Leased by Size of Facility .....16
Facility Rentable Area (Rentable) .....17
Owned vs. Leased by Size .....17
Gross and Rentable by Industry Type and Facility Use .....18
Square Footage per Occupant .....19-20

Section 3: Housekeeping and Maintenance .....21
Housekeeping Costs .....22
Housekeeping Staffing .....23
Maintenance Costs .....24-28
Roads and Grounds Cost .....28
Facility Operating Current Replacement Value (CRV) Index .....28
Maintenance Staffing .....29

Section 4: Utilities .....31
Utility Costs .....32-33
Utility Consumption .....34

Section 5: Environmental, Health and Safety .....35
Environmental Costs .....36-37
Life and Safety Costs .....38
Emergency and Disaster Planning Costs .....39
Security Costs .....40-41

Section 6: Project and Support Costs .....43
Types of Projects .....44
Project Costs .....44
Space Planning Costs .....45
FM Information Technology Costs .....46
Employee Amenities .....47
Employee Amenities Cost .....48

Section 7: Financial Indicators .....49
Lease Type and Costs .....50
Cost of Operations .....51
Cost of Providing the Fixed Asset .....52
Occupancy Cost .....53
Total Annual Facility Cost .....54

Appendix .....55
Methodology .....56
Participant List .....57-60

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