When building owners and property managers plan the financial future of their facilities, the quantitative tool most often chosen is the Capital Needs Assessment (CNA). A CNA creates a capital forecast of needed reserves to fund depreciating asset replacement and prioritize discovered deficiencies while providing a comprehensive document to justify lending requests. CNAs are often used to….
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Top Ten Building Problems
During our 30+ years in business, we have inspected thousands of buildings for structural and mechanical issues. We are often asked by both prospective buyers and property managers to name the most common problems found in buildings. Interesting enough, new buildings can have more hidden problems than older properties whose defects have manifested themselves over….
Getting Ready for Climate Change
Gale Flags Are Flying! Is your condo or building ready for a climate change future? Currently we are in the middle of a hurricane season predicted to be one of the worst in recent times in terms of both frequency and severity of future storms. Prior to June when the hurricane season started, Maine’s Superintendent….
Got Mold?
Indoor air quality is a growing concern. Mold and mildew, fostered by moisture accumulation, can lead to respiratory discomfort and aggravate allergies and other respiratory conditions. Moisture-related problems in the home are not always visible. Sick building syndrome is used to describe situations in which the occupants of a building experience acute health effects that seem to….
Welcome Home: Out of State Condo Owners & COVID-19 Complexity
This summer more than ever the return of out of state condo owners will be an increased challenge for the many condominium communities in those areas most popular to tourists. New England has a significant population of condominiums along its rocky coast and mountainous regions serving as primary or secondary homes for bi-latitude unit owners…..
Why Proper Air Ventilation is More Important Than Ever
If you’re planning a re-roofing project, we recommend in-depth consideration of the building ventilation under the roof. Inadequate attic venting can cause ice dams, energy loss, and moisture damage to the roof structure. Too often roof re-surface projects repeat the mistakes of the past. A proper roof project includes a review of the capacity of….
HOA Reserve Study: How Are Engineers Different from Other Firms?
The time has come for your homeowners’ association (HOA) to complete a reserve study. Where do you begin? An online search presents a wide range of companies that perform reserve studies for homeowner associations. Why should an HOA in need of a reserve study hire an engineer versus a reserve specialist, accountant, or other type of….
Spring Checklist
With warmer weather in the forecast, more daylight, and a bit more time on your hands, now is the perfect time to tackle some projects around your property. We have created our “Spring Checklist” to help you get your property cleaned up after winter and ready for the warm days of summer ahead. Download the….
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?
With interest rates at an all time low, you may be tempted to go house shopping right now. A lower interest rate means a lower monthly mortgage payment. Also, due to global uncertainty over current events, sellers may be desperate so buyers could potentially take advantage of huge discounts that could exceed 10 to 20….
COVID19 UPDATE
While closely monitoring reports and updates concerning COVID-19, Criterium-Lalancette & Dudka Engineers will remain open for business to serve our clients. In doing so, we are taking a proactive approach to prioritizing the health and well-being of our team members, clients, and vendors by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the World….