TECHNICAL CONSULTATION
Capital Improvements
Architecture/Interior Design
Remodeling of commercial and multi-family residential common areas; including office space, lobby, corridor, meeting room, fitness room, etc.
Facade and Roof Improvements
Repair and/or replacement of exterior walls, roofs, windows/doors, balconies, decorative elements, and major building components.
Infrastructure Improvements
Assistance with the repair and/or replacement of existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and security systems. Includes upgrades for energy improvements and electric vehicles.
Design for Infection Control
Remodeling of building common area to better adapt to a post pandemic world. Creating safer and healthier environments. To learn more about these services you can read more HERE (PDF).
High-Rise Exterior Facade Examinations
(For Chicago buildings over 80 feet high.)
Ongoing Maintenance and Repair Program
Visual inspection of the building’s exterior with a City-required report.
Critical Examination Report
Hands-on “close-up” examination, repair, and maintenance recommendations, as well as a detailed City-required report with photographs and drawings.
Drone Inspection Services
Close-up visual inspections without the need for scaffolding. Hard to reach areas are now accessible via our drone inspection services.
Reserve Studies & Transition Reports
Reserve Study
Provide a Reserve Study in two phases: Existing Conditions Evaluation (general architectural and engineering review) and Expense/Funding Analysis (20-year capital improvement funding plan).
Transition Report
Review the existing construction and areas of concern with the Client. Review any existing drawings and documentation provided by the Client. Provide a Report noting the defects, locations, and general non-compliance information.
Extraordinary Repairs Outline
Provide a list of outstanding items requiring replacement, repair or completion by the Developer (or Contractor). The Outline shall include general categories (life/safety, construction quality, and design issues), priority, and approximate construction cost. Services include developing limited repair methods and meeting with selected contractors at the property to develop preliminary construction cost estimates for the larger defects.
General Property Examination
Review of all interior common areas, site, and exterior construction. Provide an “Existing Conditions Evaluation & Recommendations Report”.
Unit Owner Questionnaire
Provide a questionnaire to evaluate the overall condition of limited common areas within the building. Information obtained from this questionnaire will be used by the owner(s) to address common concerns and plan future improvements.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Systems (MEP) Evaluation
General review of MEP construction in common and limited common areas. Includes interviews with the Chief Engineer and maintenance companies. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special MEP engineering consultant or contractor.
Conveyance System Evaluation (Elevators)
General review of elevator construction in common areas. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special elevator consultant.
Curtain Wall (Engineered Exterior Skin) Evaluation
General review of an engineered wall system. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review, “peer” review, or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special wall systems consultant.
Review Association and Management Files
Review documents to evaluate the potential for replacements and repairs. Focus on patterns of complaints.
Engineering & Transition Reports
General Property Examination
Review of all interior common areas, site, and exterior construction.
Unit Owner Questionnaire
Provide a questionnaire to evaluate the overall condition of limited common areas within the building. Information obtained from this questionnaire will be used by the owner(s) to address common concerns and plan future improvements.
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Systems (MEP) Evaluation
General review of MEP construction in common and limited common areas. Includes interviews with the Chief Engineer and maintenance companies. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special MEP engineering consultant or contractor.
Conveyance System Evaluation (Elevators)
General review of elevator construction in common areas. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special elevator consultant.
Curtain Wall (Engineered Exterior Skin) Evaluation
General review of an engineered wall system. Upon request, we can provide a detailed review, “peer” review, or address a specific concern with the assistance of a special wall systems consultant.
Review Association and Management Files
Review documents to evaluate the potential for replacements and repairs. Focus on patterns of complaints.
General Report
Provide comments and recommendations. The Report shall include Life/Safety, Construction Quality, and Design Quality issues. Life/Safety issues will have the non-compliance reference numbers from the governing building code. Major Construction Quality issues will have non-compliance references from the related trade publications. All photographs will be copied on a computer disc (or similar format) for ease of viewing and distribution.
List of Extraordinary Repairs
Provide a list of outstanding items requiring replacement, repair, or completion. Additional information can be added, such as priorities, trade responsible for the work, and approximate costs.
Construction Rules & Unit Reviews
Construction Rules
Update existing or develop new remodeling rules for Unit Owner improvements.
Unit Reviews
Review Unit Owner construction documents and provide site visits to review Unit Owner construction
Green Services
Green Improvements
Provide options for making the property more energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally friendly. Evaluate sustainable options with regard to terms of technical viability and potential long-term savings. Provide a long-term Green improvement program in which sustainable improvements are established. Assist with construction and implementation of said improvements.
Green Reserve Studies
Provide a 20-year capital improvement plan incorporating reasonable sustainable strategies over a realistic time frame. We will include an analysis of green reserve expenses as well as related green operation savings.
Green Construction Rules
Create a rider or update existing remodeling rules to include options for owners to improve the energy efficiency of their apartment, reduce water usage, and improve indoor air quality. Following these guidelines to improve the common areas will create a more livable and valuable property over time.
Life Safety Improvements
Assistance with evaluations and improvements to meet municipal requirements.