Clear communication: that’s priority number one for engineering and building maintenance companies in Canada. Whether it’s coordinating urgent repairs or updating tenants on maintenance work, you can’t afford misunderstandings. A bilingual answering service is the solution, as it eliminates confusion and speeds up resolutions.

Take Quebec as an example. With Bill 96 now requiring French as the primary business language, companies are required to provide French communication across the board. But the need for bilingual support isn’t just limited to Quebec. Across Canada, tenants and contractors expect seamless service in both English and French.

Providing dual-language support doesn’t just minimize downtime; it can make all the difference in high-stakes situations:

Handling critical scenarios with clear instructions

When dealing with a French caller who’s frantic about a burst pipe flooding their home, not understanding what they’re saying slows things down. A bilingual answering service ensures that vital information is passed along quickly to the right team. If everyone’s on the same page, it speeds up the emergency response.

Getting work orders right the first time

Misinterpreting a work order can turn into a serious issue. With dual-language support, those details are captured accurately from the start. Whether someone is reaching out in English or French, their service requests are understood and relayed accurately. This way, technicians get the right instructions the first time, keeping projects on track and avoiding costly mistakes.

Keeping up with safety and communication standards

According to the ACEC-Canada, clear communication is key to keeping projects safe and compliant. In engineering and building maintenance, straightforward talk is a necessity. When you have bilingual support, safety instructions, maintenance updates, and critical response plans are conveyed with precision, so nothing gets lost in translation.

Around-the-clock availability in both languages

Emergencies don’t always happen during business hours. Elevator outages occur at midnight, sprinkler system leaks happen when you’re on holiday, and tenants get in touch at a time that’s convenient for them. With 24/7 bilingual answering support, there’s always someone ready to take the call in either English or French. It’s more than just availability; it’s about reliability, regardless of when or where someone is calling.

Industry-specific applications

In engineering and building maintenance, there’s little room for error. At best, delayed calls or miscommunications can lead to frustration; at worst, they create safety risks.

For property managers

When a fire alarm inspection is coming up, property managers have a lot to coordinate, especially for large complexes. Tenants need to be informed about access requirements, safety checks, and what to do during emergency drills. But when the building has a mix of English and French speakers, communication can get dicey.

Bilingual answering services handle these calls with ease, making sure instructions are unambiguous and fully conveyed, whether in English or French. Everything is managed professionally, with straightforward steps laid out for tenants.

For engineers

Projects often span multiple provinces and involve teams who may not share the same first language. It’s common for a contractor in Quebec to need a quick update or site adjustment relayed to a team in Ontario. But language differences can slow that process down.

Multilingual answering services ensure no back-and-forth, no second-guessing—just straight-to-the-point communication that keeps projects moving forward.

A bilingual answering service isn’t just a nice-to-have feature. It’s also not just about meeting regulatory standards. It’s a practical tool that keeps operations smooth and clients happy. Clear, multilingual communication fosters trust and prevents costly misunderstandings.

Adopt bilingual services with a reputable call centre that has decades of experience in engineering and property management, like On Call Centre. Contact our team to learn how we can help.