Exterior Examinations and Reports
Careful and thorough examination of a building's exterior allows the practice to provide an analysis of current conditions, and a benchmark for future investigations and the work that follows. The practice examines all exterior elements, from roofs and windows to facades, plazas, sidewalks and parking facilities. Investigative reports detail existing conditions with respect to deteriorating materials, potential waterproofing problems, recommended cosmetic treatments, routine maintenance recommendations, and any owner-specified additional investigations that the initial survey may warrant. The detailed format of the report frames the work to be performed, supports cost development and prioritizes activities for the owner.
- Assess needed repairs or restoration activities and frame order-of-magnitude cost
- Reveal existing or potential waterproofing and water-seepage exposure
- Critique the effectiveness of current maintenance programs
- Evaluate and prioritize cosmetic treatments or exterior material upgrades
- Support owners and managers in valuation for tax, sale, refinancing or estate purposes
- Provide the document the owner carries into board approvals, capital plans, design briefs and acquisition decisions
The deliverables are owner-side, independent of any design team, contractor or transaction counterparty. Where required filings follow from the work, the licensed qualified inspector of record retained by the project carries the filings; the practice advises the owner on inspector selection, scope of inspection and the strategy around the cycle.
Facade Condition Assessment
A thorough visual and close-range examination of the building's facade, envelope and exterior systems, followed by a written report calibrated to the owner's decision cadence. The work is owner-side and independent of any pending inspection cycle, design project or transaction.
Pre-Design Investigation
Condition surveys, historic-fabric documentation, repair-scope outlines and material research conducted before the design team is engaged. The deliverable sets the foundation for accurate drawings and reduces field surprises during construction.
Pre-Acquisition Due Diligence
Independent assessment of facade and envelope liability before property acquisition. Cost and timeline projections for required repairs. Regulatory exposure analysis across facade-inspection cycles, landmark approvals and tax-credit eligibility.
Property Condition Assessment
Baseline property condition assessment of the building exterior and envelope, structured for long-hold owners, asset managers and institutional landlords carrying single buildings or portfolios.
Envelope Advisory
Owner-side advisory on roof, window, terrace and waterproofing strategy at the envelope level. Coordinates with the licensed professional of record on specification.
Existing Conditions Documentation
Photographic and narrative documentation of existing facade and envelope conditions, organized for use across capital planning, board reporting, design briefs and warranty records.
Facade Inspection Compliance
Owner-side strategy on the New York facade-inspection cycle: qualified-inspector selection, scope of inspection, SWARMP carryover analysis and sub-cycle planning. The qualified inspector files; the practice advises the owner.
- A landmark or prewar building between formal inspection cycles, where the owner wants an independent baseline.
- A pending acquisition where the buyer needs an outside read on facade and envelope condition before closing.
- The start of a design project, where the design team needs independent baseline documentation.
- A board planning capital reserves and needing a defensible written record.
The first conversation is complimentary and runs about thirty minutes, by phone or video.