Perhaps you are on the Building Committee which has been charged by the Board to recommend a replacement siding material for your 35 year old condo. Perhaps you are a property manager whose in-basket is filled with unit owner complaints about vinyl clapboard siding problems in the new condo complex. Whatever the vinyl façade issue….
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Got Cracks? An Intro to Foundation Forensics
Cracks in foundations are by far the most common structural complaint raised in either reserve fund studies or transition studies. They can occur in the youngest or newest condo building. As condo documents usually assign the maintenance responsibility of their repair to the association, board members and property managers take them very seriously. New England condo buildings have….
Solar Panels – Are they right for your Homeowner’s Association?
There is a growing consensus that climate change is real and its consequences will have significant impact on our quality of life and regional economic future. While the cause of climate change may be debated, its potential impact on future generations should not be. So the real question should be, what are we going to….
How to sell the Results of an Association Reserve Study
While the importance of associations building a strong reserve fund is no mystery to you, raising fees or assessments is often a sensitive subject with homeowners. Every association needs a long-term planning goal, and a reserve study creates an accurate timetable for all major improvements. Learn how to address those sensitivities and sell the results….
June Marks the Start of Hurricane Season
The engineers at Criterium-Bennett engineers encourage residents, homeowners, condo/apartment owners, and commercial property owners to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season which begins June 1st. This year’s seasonal forecast was recently announced by NOAA’s Climate Prediction. They predict a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year with a range of 9 to 15 named storms. Dr…..
5 Key Steps Before you Build or Renovate your Home
Define What You Want To Do Before you talk with a contractor, sit down (husband and wife, everyone concerned) and write down, as best you can (it won’t be perfect), a description of what you want to do. For small projects involving appliance repairs or the installation of a small piece of equipment, this will….
Check Your Deck Before the Guests Arrive!
May is National Deck Safety Month® and your spring maintenance checklist should include a thorough inspection of your deck and railings. It’s important to ensure their safety before the outdoor entertainment season begins with family gatherings and neighborhood barbecues taking place on your deck. Here are a few items to consider as you check your deck:….
10 Maintenance Tasks that Building Associations Should Repeat Every Spring
SPRING is fully upon us, the snow is gone, and the rain continues to fall! However, it’s not too late to implement an ongoing maintenance plan that will save your association time and money for many seasons to come.View your association as a complete network with many important pieces working together, and ensure that each….
6 Considerations When Adding on to Your Home
Spring and summer are the times that many homeowners consider adding on the their houses. A new child in the family, a new family room, or taking in parents or in-laws are all excellent reasons to expand your home. Before undertaking such a project, here are a few things to consider. Is the proposed addition….
6 Factors to Consider when Purchasing a Reserve Study to Avoid Underfunding or Overfunding a Reserve Account
The most important element of a credible reserve study is valid component data. Inaccurate cost information, improper assessment of the condition of each component, and failure to examine ways of maintaining components to prolong their useful life can lead to underfunding, or almost as problematic, overfunding of the reserve account. When you hire a reserve study….