Middle East Building Maintenance Service Market to Witness Steady Growth Through 2020: Infrastructural Investments & Growing Awareness Key Drivers

Building maintenance services are important for the upkeep and safety of residential and commercial spaces. Building maintenance service is an umbrella term that encompasses landscaping, interior and exterior building cleaning, pest control, plumbing, and electrical maintenance, among others.

Economic Recovery has Given a Boost to the Building Maintenance Services Market

The global building maintenance services market is projected to expand at a steady rate through 2020 on account of a revival in infrastructure investments around the world. The global recession of 2007-08 had a massive impact on the building maintenance services market, as most organisations looked for ways to curtail their operational costs. However, the recovery in the global economy has provided an impetus to the infrastructural activities, with many major constructions underway in both developed and emerging markets. This has renewed the demand for building maintenance services and the global market is anticipated to grow steadily through 2020.

Outlook on Middle East Building Maintenance Services Market

Middle East has witnessed renewed infrastructural investments in the last three years on account of public-sector driven megaprojects. Increasing urbanisation and inflow of foreign workers has pushed the demand for new construction across Middle East. In addition to government projects, private sector driven projects, especially in GCC, are also projected to give a fillip to Middle East’s construction and real estate sector. These factors are anticipated to boost the prospects of building maintenance services in the region. It is forecasted that the building maintenance services market in the Middle East will grow steadily through 2020.

Growing awareness about the importance of building maintenance among business- and home-owners is projected to be another key factor for the growth of building maintenance services market in the Middle East. Owners of commercial establishments are now aware that periodic building maintenance can not only thwart any potential accidents, but also increase the aesthetics of their property. It is expected that greater awareness about the advantages of building maintenance will boost the growth of the market through 2020. 

Lack of Skilled Professionals and Increasing Regulations: Major Challenges for Building Services Maintenance Market

Although cheap labour is easily available in the Middle East, lack of skilled workers who can effectively handle modern building maintenance equipment remains a key challenge for the growth of building maintenance services market. Regulations governing the use of chemicals and exposure of workers and general public to unsafe materials are other key challenges that the building maintenance services market is expected to face in the near future.

Building Maintenance Services: Market Segmentation

The building maintenance services market is segmented into exterior building maintenance, interior building maintenance, pest control, landscaping, and parking lot cleaning. Interior building cleaning and pest control are projected to be the fastest growing segments owing to demand from commercial establishments and homeowners. Other segments are also expected to expand steadily through 2020 on account of growth in Middle East’s infrastructure sector.

Prospects of Building Maintenance Services Market in GCC

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s construction sector is projected to witness robust growth through 2020. Rising population, inflow of expat workers, and foreign investments are anticipated to be the catalysts for the growth of this market. Growth in construction is expected to augur well for the prospects of the building maintenance services market.

UAE

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been at the forefront of the construction boom in UAE; however, the recent oil slump has raised concerns about the prospects of these sectors. Although the drop in global oil prices won’t have an immediate impact on the country’s economy, it can be a challenge in the long run. UAE’s real estate market is forecasted to witness moderate growth through 2020 on account of housing demand from foreign workers. This is expected to create a demand for building maintenance service in the country. Growing awareness about the benefits of building maintenance is anticipated to be another key factor that will contribute to the growth of building maintenance market.

Qatar

Qatar’s infrastructure sector received a major boost when it was announced that the country will be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The growth in the construction and real estate sector is expected to boost the demand for building maintenance services market through 2020. The efforts of the local government authorities and private players to raise awareness about the importance of periodic building maintenance is also projected to boost the prospects of the market.

Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman

The construction sector in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman is expected to grow at relatively lesser rate than the other three GCC nations. The drop in oil prices and the reliance of these economies on oil exportation is expected to be the reason for the moderate growth in these countries. On the basis of these factors, it is forecasted that the building maintenance services market will witness modest growth through 2020.

The key players for building maintenance services market in the Middle East include ABM Industries, Chem-Dry, Safari Company Limited, Metco International Group Building Maintenance Systems, and Al Nab'a Services LLC.