Multi-disciplinary engineers are frequently asked to do thorough inspections of properties to determine if there are areas of deficiency or repairs. These assessments allow key stakeholders to make informed and proactive decisions when it comes to the future of a structure.
Two common requests include:
- Property Condition Assessments (PCA)
- Reserve Studies
Each provides a detailed analysis on the condition of a property along with recommendations for improvement, they are different in scope and execution.
Property Condition Assessments (PCA)
Engineers conduct these assessments to determine the health and condition of a structure.
PCA components include:
- Review and analysis of all documents pertaining to the property such as the certificate of occupancy, government provided information, outstanding and recorded material building code violations, etc.
- Conduct interviews of key personnel connected with the property, which might include the building owner, property manager, or other engineers
- On-site inspection of the property and all components such as roof, structural systems, parking, exteriors, general topography, building envelope and more
- Determine estimated costs to address the areas in need of repair; this estimate does not include changes for visual improvement or maintenance
Reserve Studies
A reserve study primarily focuses on the amount of capital reserves needed for building component replacement and/or renewal. This long-term budget planning tool identifies the current status of the reserve fund and a plan to offset any future deterioration. These assessments are important because they provide a clear and accurate projection of future costs, allowing for associations such as Property Owners Associations (also referred to as POA or HOA) to plan for inevitable long term costs.
Elements such as current overall condition, guest perceptions, staffing needs and operations are taken into consideration when conducting a reserve study.
If you’re interested in a Property Condition Assessment (PCA) or Reserve Study, look no further than the expert team here at Connolly Engineering. Our ability and experience in identifying structural deficiencies alongside our attention to detail and client service sets us apart from other firms.
Connect with us to discuss your assessment needs.