Those involved in providing reserve studies (engineers and accounting managers) perform a valuable function. They can tell you how much to put aside today for tomorrow’s capital expenditures, as they have it down to a science. There is also an art to reserve studies that is rarely discussed. There are some intangibles or perceptions about….
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A Few Things to Consider while Preparing For Winter
This month, while we continue to enjoy the colorful leaves, apple pies, pumpkin fests and fairs, it is not too early to start thinking about PREPARING FOR WINTER. Preparing now for winter can save time, money, and discomfort later. Here are a few things you can do to prevent problems this winter. The heating unit should be….
Pre-Winter Preventive Maintenance – Condos or Otherwise
Some folks think New England’s fall is the best season of all. Trees are changing colors; Friday night football games; and the kids are back in school. But not everyone is happy. Those with the responsibility of maintaining condo facilities know the anxiety of the fall season and all of the tasks needing to be….
Its just dirt, right?… Wrong. Soil Erosion could be the Culprit
Is your house moving? It probably is and it’s not as unusual as you might think. According to a recent nationwide survey by Criterium Engineers, structural movement is one of the most common concerns of homeowners. And, it is often the soil underneath the home that’s the cause. The Criterium Engineers survey was based on….
Old vs. New – The Latest and Greatest in Building! But is it Really?
Am I on the leading edge or the bleeding edge? Should I be an early adopter? What are the risks? What are the rewards? Recently, I was asked how to approach a builder’s show so that you can learn about all the new things you should be using in and/or doing to your homes to….
Solar, Solar, Everywhere!
It’s no surprise that solar panels have started popping up all over the area. Solar can drastically reduce electric bills, protect against the rising cost of energy, boost U.S. energy independence, protect the environment and more. The cost of solar panels has decreased significantly over the years and continues to drop. Implementation of “net metering”….
Radon Mitigation – Hype or Necessity?
You have heard of radon. Perhaps you have tested your home or the home you intended to buy for the presence of radon gas. If so, when you received the results, did you take any action? Did you install a mitigation pump or even refuse to purchase the home? Is radon risk real? There is….
Before You Hit the Road or Driveway
It’s mid-summer with the grass growing tall and the Sox and Yanks in a traditional pennant race so what’s the rush in reminding the Board it needs to be making paving decisions, now. The reason of course is the Board missed the fall deadline for the asphalt plant’s closing last November and had distractions this….
Redefining the Home Inspection
Ask most home inspectors what the standard definition of a home inspection is and you will hear something like: “An evaluation of the current condition of the home based on visual evidence.” That definition fairly characterized the practice for many years. But as more people entered the field, many with little or no relevant training or experience,….
Retaining Walls for Landscape
Have you ever looked around your property to see if you have retaining walls? If you have, what’s their purpose? Have you checked your neighbor’s property, looking for retaining walls and what, if any, effect these walls may have on your property? As you drive to work in the morning, have you noticed any retaining….