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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry.
From the design of new buildings to the construction materials and technologies used to repair and maintain existing structures, we are uniquely qualified to provide a full range of global building envelope consulting services to help prevent and eliminate problems.
Performance for the Life Cycle of Your Project
Committed to utilizing sustainable materials and methods as applicable, we proactively address performance issues to improve the way buildings are constructed and maintained.
View our building envelope services:
Retaining Rimkus to handle your Contract Administration services on your roof construction projects will provide you with seasoned professionals who know how to control costs and long term outcomes. You will experience greatly improved transparency and accountability from your contractors and you will also be far more likely to maintain critical schedules, budgets, and deadlines on your projects. Rimkus achieves these benefits by maintaining a free flow of information between the Contractor and Owner. Our services also include payment certification and preparation of change orders for any additional work that may be encountered during the course of the project. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. Trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry. We offer:
To properly assess the condition of your roof we need to determine its composition, quality, and moisture content. At Rimkus, we can accurately assess each of those factors with our Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing protocols. It is one of the steps taken during your Roof Condition Analysis and a necessary tool in projecting the life expectancy and long-term costs of your roof. We can also use the results to save you money by identifying problems before they become catastrophic. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. You can place your trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry.
We offer a variety of diagnostic testing methods:
When façade elements fail, components could fall, thereby putting people and property at risk. As a response to this, many cities have passed façade ordinances to identify unsafe conditions, such as loose façade components or materials that may fall and cause damage to property or injury to pedestrians. At Rimkus, we provide professional building inspections supported by recommendations and design for proactive maintenance and repair programs. Façade inspections typically fall into one of the following categories:
Conducting Inspections Inspection requirements range from visual inspection of street-facing façades by architects, engineers, or contractors, to “hands-on inspections” that require licensed engineers or architects to physically touch façade components for each elevation of the building along the entire height of each elevation. Typically, inspections are required for buildings over five stories, with inspection frequencies ranging from two to five years. Our experts are well versed in façade condition assessments and have the experience and knowledge needed to identify repair details as well as oversee the completion of the repairs on behalf of the property owner.
Rimkus assists in the evaluation of existing roofing/waterproofing systems, as well as the design and construction administration of the repair or replacement, of all roofing/waterproofing systems including:
Similar to most aspects of construction one size, does not fit all with respect to roofing and waterproofing systems. Several factors determine the appropriate system for a particular building, including:
Several commonly overlooked processes can be established during the installation of a new roof that will help reduce the cost of future maintenance and extend the service life of the roof system:
Leak detection systems can be installed in most roof systems to use as a quality assurance tool and to allow for easy identification of future leaks. This is particularly important in roofs with an overburden (i.e., inverted roof systems and vegetative roofs). A custom-tailored roof inspection and maintenance schedule should be provided for the owner’s use in prolonging the useful life of the roof system and minimizing the risk of leaks resulting from roof damage.
PHONE +1 800 580 3228
EMAIL expert@rimkus.com
Do you have questions about Florida’s building safety legislation, Senate Bill 4D? Just enter your query in the textbox below and click “Send Query”. For example, try asking, “What is the Florida Senate Bill 4D?”. This AI tool is experimental and provides no warranties regarding the accuracy of its results. Use at your own risk.
Are you tired of the deteriorating condition of the roadways in your community?
Planning and executing site improvement projects can be a complex process. From roadway resurfacing to tennis court replacement, these projects require careful planning and development.
Now is the perfect time to start planning for the upcoming construction season.
At Falcon, we understand the challenges communities face when it comes to site improvements. That’s why we offer comprehensive engineering services to help you tackle these projects effectively.
Our team can assist you with feasibility studies, design plans, construction documents, bidding, and even construction management services.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take advantage of the construction off-season to plan your site improvement project.
The Falcon Group is an industry-leader providing professional, cost effective and innovative architectural and engineering designs, solutions and services through the use of highly qualified staff and outstanding customer service.
View our new brochure, learn how we can help you with the services we provide.
Many engineering firms do not offer residential services. But United Professional Engineering (UPE) does.
We understand the residential market and the homeowner and we value their business. Only a licensed, structural engineer can provide accurate assessments and solutions for a home buyer or seller.
Many engineering firms do not offer residential services. At UPE, we understand the residential market and the homeowner. We value their business and our team is proud to service this sector. Most of the work that we perform for residential homeowners begins with an onsite engineering assessment. Our licensed, structural engineers make a site visit to the property. We survey the areas of concern and assess the severity of the structural problems in question.
After a site investigation is conducted, our structural engineers prepare a structural engineering report outlining onsite findings, identifying probable cause of the structural issue and recommendations for remediation of any structural deficiency uncovered. We provide our clients with a photograph log documenting existing conditions at the time of the site visit. Only a licensed, structural engineer can provide accurate assessments and solutions for a home buyer or seller. Give us a call today!
United Professional Engineering (UPE)
Provides a unique “one-stop-shop” for all your structural engineering needs in Palm Beach and Broward County. Our South Florida area founded firm has been in business since 1999 and we have a diverse team; from licensed designers and structural engineers to inspectors and general contractors. For that reason, our projects range from designing and restoration to structural inspections and more!
We understand how valuable your time is and we are committed to providing our industry leading expertise to your next project. Our team welcomes any and all challenges to ensure a smooth and cost effective project for all our clients and everyone involved. Your journey with us is important, and we take pride in making it memorable!
At UPE, we understand it is hard to find a service provider you can trust and count on and we are here to change that.
Today, one of the largest investments is building a structure and how to maintain its lifespan. Structural integrity, environmental factors, atmospheric elements, and maintaining aesthetics are all important factors that we evaluate very carefully, when working on a project.
Our highly qualified licensed designers, engineers and general contractors promises to ensure your investment is protected. We believe it’s important to exhibit and maintain an open communication network, while working towards each of our client’s best interests, as well as everyone involved.
We are committed to structural safety and serviceability, identify equilibrium conditions, resolve limitations and utilize preventive and corrective maintenance behavior. UPE is here to help accomplish each milestone of your project, together!
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Tags: Engineering Articles
Building inspections are crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of buildings. This is particularly true here in South Florida due to our region’s unique climate and environmental conditions. High humidity, Salt Air, extreme heat, and the hurricane season can all cause damage to building’s structure and envelopes over time. These are some of the reasons why building recertification has become mandated in South Florida every 30 or 40 years, depending on the building’s age.
Identifying Hidden Problems
Building inspections are essential to identify underlying problems that may not be readily apparent to residents. For instance, buildings may develop foundation cracks, leaks in the roof, or other issues that can pose significant risks to the property’s structural integrity. Regular inspections can catch these issues early and detect severe problems that may cause serious water damage or building collapse.
Building inspections can prevent these situations, uncover hidden issues, and allow for prompt repair or replacement. Identifying problems early on can also save property owners money and time by preventing more severe cases from developing. Deterioration in coastal environments is a progressive problem that will cost more to address as time passes. By addressing these problems, property owners can promote their buildings’ safety and structural integrity.
Cost Savings
Building inspections can provide property owners with significant cost savings in the long run by identifying potential issues early on. Often, structural engineers can find problems during an inspection that can be repaired immediately at a lower cost than if they were allowed to escalate into more significant issues.
For example, if a building inspector discovers a small leak in the roof, the property owner can have it repaired before it causes more extensive damage to the interior of the building. If left unattended, this leak could cause extensive water damage, resulting in costly repairs and possible damage to the building’s structure.
Inspectors may identify areas in the building that could be more energy-efficient. In this case, the property owner can upgrade the building’s insulation, HVAC, or lighting systems—leading to significant savings in energy costs and reducing the property owner’s overall operating expenses.
Experience and Expertise
Structural Workshop has extensive experience conducting building inspections. Our experienced engineers and inspectors work closely with clients to help them keep their buildings safeand well-maintained. Whether you are a property manager, building owner, or homeowner, we can help you navigate the complexity of building inspections. Please get in touch with us today to schedule a recertification or learn more about our services.
If your company needs marketing please contact our member
Jessica Vail
Vail Marketing Solutions
(908) 528.4087
www.vailmarketingsolutions.com
Tags: Engineering Articles, Florida Building Inspections
It would seem in today’s world the life of many Condo Associations are financially battling a 3–headed dragon known as Insurance, Milestone Inspections and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies. Alone, any one of these could result in a substantial financial blow to an Association but being impacted by all three could result in a financial crisis. To dissect this “dragon” from a Banker’s perspective, let’s look at a high–level overview of each of these:
Insurance:
Many Associations (and homeowners in general) are aware of the growing insurance crisis in the State of Florida and anticipated their premiums to increase but not to the levels many have experienced in 2023. After discussions with several property managers, most Associations were told in 2022 that they should expect increases in the neighborhood of 25% – 50% year over year. Although, at the time, these appeared shockingly high, the reality for many in 2023 has been increases of 100% to as much as 400% of their 2022 premiums. It is safe to say that even the most conservative of budgets and the best prepared Associations were not financially prepared for this hike. Many Associations have been forced to either finance their premiums through their insurance company or look to their bank partner for lines of credit to supplement what they had assumed would be sufficient reserves. While legislation is pending to assist with this problem, it is unlikely a return to the “old normal” will ever occur and financing of insurance premiums will become the “new norm”.
Milestone Inspections:
A milestone inspection is an on-site review of all the primary structural components within the condominium building(s). The inspections must be completed by a licensed architect or engineer. The initial Phase 1 inspection is a thorough visual examination. If no signs of “substantial structural deterioration” is found, no further investigation is needed. If there are signs of “substantial structural deterioration”, a Phase 2 milestone inspection must be performed. This inspection will be as limited or extensive as required to complete the investigation into the problem areas as identified in the Phase 1. If necessary, the inspector could require destructive testing on portions of the structure to complete the report. Upon completion of the Phase 2, the report should provide guidance for remediation/repair of distressed areas of the building.
Milestone Inspection reports are required for all condominiums three or more stories in height which aged 30 or more years by July 1, 2022; the initial milestone inspection must be completed by December 31, 2024. If the condominium reaches 30 years of age on or after July 1, 2022 and before December 31, 2024 the initial inspection must be completed before December 31, 2025. All others must have their initial inspections completed in the year in which the reach 30 years old and in all cases, every 10 years thereafter.
While the cost for these inspections may not present a financial crisis, the cost of needed repairs could. Well reserved and monitored Associations may have little or minor needs for additional funds, but others may have an immediate need to raise significant funds for near term required repairs.
Structural Integrity Reserve Study:
All condominium buildings of 3 stories or more are required to perform a Structural Integrity Reserve Study. This is performed to ensure proper availability of funds at the time of anticipated needed structural repairs or replacement as per the study. This study must cover the following:
Roof
Structure including load bearing walls and all primary structural members
Fire proofing and fire protection systems
Plumbing
Electrical Systems
Waterproofing and exterior painting
Windows and Exterior Doors
Any other item that has a deferred maintenance expense or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000 and the failure to replace or maintain such item negatively affects the items listed above.
At a minimum the study must:
1) Identify each item of the condominium being visually inspected
2) State the estimated useful life and estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense of each item of the property being visually inspected
3) Provide a funding reserve schedule with a recommended annual reserve amount that achieves the estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense of each item.
As of December 31, 2024 it is mandated that Associations may not vote to waive or provide for reserves in an amount less than full funding for those items included within the Structural Integrity Reserve Study.
For many Associations who have historically partially funded or waived reserve funding, the requirement to fully fund for items included in the study will have an immediate and impactful shock to their financial structure moving forward. Depending upon the findings, Associations may need to raise large sums of reserves in a relatively short period of time. Fortunately for most Associations, the full impact will not be felt until the 2025 budget; however being proactive in 2024 will help prepare for the inevitable impact.
Disclosure: The commentary above should not be considered a legal opinion and does not encompass the full requirements of the legislation of Senate Bill 154 as discussed above. It is strongly suggested that any Association confer with their Attorney and/or CPA to understand the full requirements and impact of the legislation well in advance of any deadlines specified in the bill.
Authored by:
Jim Weaver
Market President
First Federal Bank*
*First Federal Bank is available to serve financial needs of their local markets. Visit FFBF.com/locator to find the nearest location.
Find First Federal Bank on the Members Directory
First Federal Bank is a community-based bank offering consumer and commercial banking solutions, services, and loans through banking offices in Florida’s Panhandle, North Central and East Florida, and coastal South Carolina.
Mortgage, SBA and USDA customers are served through lending offices across the Southeast and Midwest.
First Federal is headquartered in Lake City, Florida with assets totaling over $3.6 billion. First Federal has received a “5-Star, Superior” financial rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., of Coral Gables, Fla. for more than two decades and was recognized by Newsweek as “Best Small Bank in Florida” in 2020 and 2021. For more information, visit http://www.ffbf.com.
You know you’re doing great when you get hired for more than 1 job on a single project.
From various concrete repairs to balcony slabs, walkways, columns, beams and metal framing, to condition assessments, drawings, bids, specs, special inspections, United Professional Engineering took care of this restoration project from start to finish.
We are the experts and we pride ourselves in quality service. Contact us today at (561) 582-1733 or visit upefl.com.
United Professional Engineering (UPE)
Provides a unique “one-stop-shop” for all your structural engineering needs in Palm Beach and Broward County. Our South Florida area founded firm has been in business since 1999 and we have a diverse team; from licensed designers and structural engineers to inspectors and general contractors. For that reason, our projects range from designing and restoration to structural inspections and more!
We understand how valuable your time is and we are committed to providing our industry leading expertise to your next project. Our team welcomes any and all challenges to ensure a smooth and cost effective project for all our clients and everyone involved. Your journey with us is important, and we take pride in making it memorable!
At UPE, we understand it is hard to find a service provider you can trust and count on and we are here to change that.
Today, one of the largest investments is building a structure and how to maintain its lifespan. Structural integrity, environmental factors, atmospheric elements, and maintaining aesthetics are all important factors that we evaluate very carefully, when working on a project.
Our highly qualified licensed designers, engineers and general contractors promises to ensure your investment is protected. We believe it’s important to exhibit and maintain an open communication network, while working towards each of our client’s best interests, as well as everyone involved.
We are committed to structural safety and serviceability, identify equilibrium conditions, resolve limitations and utilize preventive and corrective maintenance behavior. UPE is here to help accomplish each milestone of your project, together! Contact us today! 561-582-1733
Tags: Engineering Articles, Florida Building Inspections
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO NEED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR 30, 40 OR 50 YEAR INSPECTIONS, CALCULATING AND PREPARING YOUR NEW RESERVE STUDIES OR NEED REPAIRS TO YOUR CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY — WATCH THEIR ONE MINUTE VIDEO.
Building Envelope Assessments
The Rimkus Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Building Envelope Services team can provide a complete assessment of a structure’s building envelope (façades, roofs, windows, balconies, walkways, parking areas, etc.) describing the condition of such and all items in need of repair. A recommended timeline and a projected construction cost will also be provided to assist the owner in projecting future budgets.For a full survey of all building components, Rimkus can increase the scope of the survey and provide a full Property Condition Assessment (P.C.A.) including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, elevators, and interiors.Building Envelope Assessments and PCAs are typically provided with 5- or 10-year projections; however, they may be customized to the client’s needs. These reports can be utilized as a tool to help create capital expenditure budgets and establish maintenance schedules.
Maximizing the value and life cycle of a building requires continuously maintaining performance and improving energy efficiency. Our building envelope services include:
RIMKUS
800-580-3228
Tags: Engineering Articles, Florida Building Inspections, Inspection Articles, SFPMA Marketing / Social Media, SFPMA Members News