Lighting Safety – Exterior Lighting Plans and Considerations While our crime rate is low compared to the urban violence found in other parts of the country, some condominium and homeowner associations still recognize a need for security tools such as key fobs, Ring doorbell systems, cameras, gates, and guard houses. Of all these systems, perhaps….
Commercial News
Building Maintenance Check List
A Proactive Approach is Best If you are responsible for your condo or HOA’s physical condition, this is no time to relax. Planning now can pay big dividends in being able to hire a repair contractor before the spring/summer crunch arrives. With that in mind, the following list can provide a guide to issues for….
Why You Should Hire an Engineer Versus a Building Inspector
For every real estate transaction that you are involved in, chances are as part of the due-diligence process, you are hiring a building inspection professional to look at the property prior to closing. This is a helpful and valuable service that is routinely recommended to buyers and may be required by lenders. However, if the….
Top Ten Building Problems
During Criterium Engineers’ many 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….
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….
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….
Cost Segregation Studies for Commercial Real Estate
Cost Segregation is the practice of identifying assets and their costs and classifying those assets for federal tax purposes. In a Cost Segregation Study, certain commercial building costs previously classified with a 39-year depreciable life, can instead be classified as personal property or land improvements, with a 5, 7, or 15-year rate of depreciation using accelerated….