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eBooks, Articles, & More

  • Blog

Is “Scope of Work” a Required Reserve Study Disclosure?

Good question. Often when a client challenges our replacement cost estimate because "it is way off", we look into why their actual cost is out of line with what we expected. Typically we find it has to do with scope of work differences. One that comes to mind is a roof that was three times more expensive than we expected it would cost, which turned out to be because the association was reconfiguring a flat (low-slope) roof into a sloped, shingle roof.
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  • Blog

Is a Reserve Study a “Building Envelope” Analysis?

This question came up twice last week, so it seemed like a good one to answer to a larger audience here in our blog. We believe Reserve Studies are a specialty. We have seen, over the last few years, some Architectural and Engineering (consulting and building envelope types) entering the field of Reserve Studies. Their strength is in other areas, and it appears that Reserve Studies have become a new service they can offer to community associations.
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  • Blog

Scope and Limitations of a Reserve Study?

Apparently there are many questions on this issue at this time. The last blog entry answered the questions two people asked if our Reserve Study would replace their need for a "Building Envelope Analysis". Earlier this week someone asked if our Reserve Study was an insurance appraisal report (please see an article related to that question on our website:
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  • Blog

Replace your Iron Fence or Rail with Vinyl?

A client asked this question yesterday, and while it seems simple, it is actually complicated. Let me walk you through the issues. The simple answer is sometimes it is a good idea to replace an iron fence with vinyl, sometimes not. The issue is driven by concerns about two different issues - the application (location), and the cost.
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  • Blog

Is there Ever a Reason to Replace a Component Early?

Interesting question, with an answer that is not obvious. Most associations deal with the problem of replacing components too late, resulting in deferred maintenance and related costs that make the project much more expensive than if it was done on time (think of the cost of replacing siding or trim that could have been avoided if the building was painted on time, or the water damage that could have been avoided if the roof was replaced on time).
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  • Blog

Should a Reserve Fund Policy Ever be Unfair?

So much of the field of Reserve Studies and reserve fund budgeting is about being fair. The core goal is attempting to have the owners enjoying the use of the association’s assets pay for the deterioration that occurred to those common area assets during their time of ownership. So should an association ever implement a reserve fund policy perceived to be unfair?
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