How can you compare working as a facility engineer for a contractor versus an owner?

Many times, management hears about contracting out Facilities work, and sees dollar signs. This is fine in a hotel or basic office building. Facilities techs or Engineers can quickly ascertain what needs to be done in that situation. However, in some cases where there is very specialized and even one-of-a-kind equipment, it makes more sense to have maintenance personnel who know that facility and that equipment. I have worked in some highly specialized facilities, where it would take months or years to train somebody new, even if they are journey-level electricians, mechanics or HVAC techs.

As a facility engineer working for a contractor, you are basically focused on your particular area of expertise throughout, while as a facility engineer working for a client, you are covering or managing not just a particular area of expertise but various facilities of diverse expertise, including people and space under contracts and supervision.

I feel that there is still, unfortunately, the unwarranted 'master and servant' stigma attached to contracted FM services. Owners that keep FM in-house seem somewhat more enlightened with regard to quality of service.

My experience as a contractor vs owner is that during my career as a contractor I traveled and was given the opportunity to learn various applications and work environments. I worked with some of the best in the industry, but after all of that there was no ownership or a long term relationship. Many great things were accomplished, great exposure in retail, healthcare, higher Ed and k-12 environs. One day I decided that ownership was best for my career and along with that I had gained a tremendous amount of experience to share. My decision has been very rewarding.

Limited Control: You won’t have ultimate decision-making authority, as your work aligns with the contractor’s objectives and client needs. Stability: Employment stability is somewhat dependent on the contractor’s project pipeline and client contracts.

Responsibilities: You have full control over facility management decisions, from budgets to maintenance schedules. Profit Potential: You can directly benefit from the facility’s success, potentially increasing profits over time.

The skills and experience required do not depend on the ownership or employer. The skills depend on the nature of the engineer assignment or operation. The separation would be better as institutional, commercial or industrial. However, in larger owner employed situations, the engineer will most likely need to operate the entire facility. Meaning base building systems as well as provide tenant satisfaction support. The real estate engineering world provides a diverse set of responsibilities for the engineering team. The skills and experience required depend mostly on the portfolio available and the lease obligations

Risk: You bear the financial and operational risks associated with facility ownership, including unexpected maintenance costs. Autonomy: You have greater autonomy in decision-making but also more responsibility for the facility’s overall performance.

In my experience the compensation and benefits comparison given is not a matter of owner or contractor. It is best separated by institutional or other commercial / industrial facilities.

Working as a facility engineer for a contractor involves managing projects for different clients. It's project-based and can offer a variety of experiences. As an owner's facility engineer, you work on a specific property or portfolio, focusing on long-term maintenance and optimization. It's more stable but may have less diversity in tasks.