HOA-Maintenance-Plan-Series-Predictive-Planning

HOA Maintenance Plan Series: Predictive Planning

Predictive HOA Maintenance Planning

HOA-Maintenance-Plan-Series-Predictive-PlanningWhen it comes to HOA maintenance planning and predictive planning, there are many different aspects to be on the lookout for. Being able to spot things such as cracks in walls, or water stains on ceilings are just a few examples of “smaller” issues that can be a sign of a significant problem that something is wrong. Read on to learn all the different signs to look out for not only internally, but externally as well to keep your property in top shape for your residents.

Building Interior Monitoring

To ensure a successful predictive plan for your HOA maintenance, you must build an interior monitoring system to make sure any potential problems will never become a problem. To forecast and anticipate possible concerns in the interior of your home, you need to have consistent maintenance checks on floors, walls, ceilings, and any other building interior aspects of your home.

Exterior Monitoring

Areas to monitor on the exterior of your buildings include residence and clubhouse/office roofs, siding, brick, stucco, or other exterior wall material, windows, foundation, and doors. You may also have external plumbing elements such as pipes and electrical components like fuse boxes. Because harsh weather, hail, freezing temperatures, and the hot Texas sun can degrade materials, it makes sense to frequently walk the exterior of your buildings for cracks, fading, or chipped pieces. It’s normal for exterior elements to wear out quickly, and planning for it can help prevent damage to the interior of your buildings. Water, rodents, insects, and grime are able to make their way inside your property when external damage happens.

Grounds Monitoring

Retaining walls, signage, pools, and other community amenities are all prone to cracks and other issues that can start with a small problem that can become significant and costly problems.

Because these amenities are often overlooked and ignored, they should also be first on the list of a predictive maintenance plan as we’ve found that they’ve also been some of the largest to hit HOA budgets when not given proper forward-thinking attention.

Being proactive allows any potential problems to be observed and immediately repaired – preventing costly repairs, replacements, and dissatisfied resident displacements. Now that you know what to look out for when it comes to predictive planning, keep checking back soon for more on this HOA maintenance plan series.

Commercial-Code-Inspection-Preventing-Bad-Commercial-Building-Investments

Commercial Code Inspection: Preventing Bad Building Investments

Commercial-Code-Inspection-Preventing-Bad-Building-InvestmentsPrevent Bad Building Investments by Getting a Commercial Code Inspection

Investing in a commercial property can be exciting in planning for future business. When you find yourself looking into the logistics of what it takes to maintain a new commercial property, permits should be at the top of your list. Unpermitted work can be a daunting flaw in your investment. Thus, causing a huge setback in many of your business plans. Keep reading to learn why you should always get a commercial code inspection done on any property before you purchase.

Lack of Commercial Building Permits Puts You at Risk

Many construction companies operate with a “whatever it takes to get the sale” mindset. Some might even offer to do the work without pulling permits to cut down costs and speed up the construction process. On its face, this might seem like a prudent move, but skipping permits is often a costly mistake.

  • You might find if the general contractor is willing to skimp on permitting, they’re skimping elsewhere. Unlicensed contractors, uninsured contractors, and untrained contractors. These are huge risks to safety for the workers, your employees, and your customers.
  • Previous owners skipped on permitting and your building is out of code. This might result in your business being shut down by the city or county, having insurance claims denied when you try to file, or not being able to sell the building at a later date.
  • You (or the previous owner) want to save on property taxes and don’t pull permits, which might trigger a new assessment. Later, when the property is assessed, your taxes are increased and possibly back taxes will be owed.

What to Ask For When Investing in A Commercial Building

Adding more risk when investing in a commercial building isn’t at the top of any investor’s list. Thus, ensuring that you find a trusted partner to help you navigate and obtain a professional code inspection for the commercial building is a must.

Professionals from our team at Classic Construction are not only well-versed in code compliance for new buildings and reconstruction, but are experts in helping navigate new commercial building investments. This ensures that the property is fully protected from surprises along the way with a professional code inspection.

What to Do If You Find Something Out of Compliance

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of finding something within the building that is out of compliance, the first thing you should do is NOT purchase anything until the situation is resolved and the issue is corrected. The seller should be responsible for bringing the building up to code before ownership is transferred to you. If they are not willing to do so, you might want to walk away from that property. If you choose to purchase it without inspection, you are now the person liable for anything out of compliance.

Reaching out to the building department is another great way to also inform you if there are any open permits on the property. It’s good to note that an outstanding permit that was never properly inspected is just as risky as untrained contractors.

Reach out to us today if you are looking into purchasing a commercial building but aren’t sure if it’s up to commercial code inspection and compliance. Not only is Classic a reputable company, but you can always count on us to get the job done right. On-Time. On Budget. That’s Classic.

Is-Multifamily-Building-Maintenance-Causing-a-Loss-of-Business

Is Multifamily Building Maintenance Causing a Loss of Business?

is-multifamily-building-maintenance-causing-a-loss-of-businessPoor Multifamily Building Maintenance Might Be Causing a Loss of Business

As we see more people building a family, multifamily housing marketing is becoming more common in the housing industry. With new builds bringing competition and old buildings maintaining structure, how are these conflicting markets affecting business? The things to consider when looking into multifamily housing range from the cost of living to upkeep and maintenance of the building and the appliances that you’ll be using during the duration of your time there. In this blog, we will be discussing how Multifamily building maintenance may be causing a loss of business.

Flooring

When it comes to multifamily living, flooring is a huge aspect when considering which apartment is the right choice for you and your family. No one wants to rent an apartment with old and torn-up carpet that hasn’t been replaced in years, so keeping up-to-date on the carpet and making sure it’s replaced after each tenant is essential when it comes to building maintenance. If you have tile or hardwood flooring within the units, making sure they aren’t cracked and outdated will help potential renters to choose your location. Keeping the inside of an apartment current and on-trend is one of the many reasons future renters will gravitate toward your complex.

Fixtures

Depending on how long it’s been since your latest fixture maintenance walkthrough, it’s quite possible that the fixtures may be outdated (or even at times non-existent). Cabinets with no drawer pulls or handles may not be as desirable as brand the new bronze-finish style that’s been popular in new builds. Units that have been rented for a long period of time without renovations may also have residents eyeing newer builds with modern stoves, microwaves, and washer/dryer combos.

As we’ve seen rents rise across the DFW metroplex, we have seen a high churn of residents who may jump from their current residence to a newer one that will charge the same monthly rate that has the latest and greatest appliances and fixtures.

Furnishings & Appliances

It’s a widely known fact that when a family comes together it’s usually in the kitchen! So when your current and future residents gather together you want to give them a space that’s sure to impress. Updating your appliances, cabinets, and more to a more modern feel can help the inner event planner choose your community over a competitor.

Another aspect that makes multi-family living really stand out is giving your residents a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Having a bathroom with a comfortable tub and a vanity large enough to share are key components that you’ll want to think about when updating or building your community. At the end of the day, you want to make sure that your residents have a true place where they can relax and call home.

During this tumultuous time for residents and the competition for space, keeping units in a multifamily building is more important than ever. We have heard and seen multifamily residences lose residents in droves just for the lack of maintenance – which as most property managers know is one of the least desirable outcomes for a property.

Reach out to us today for a quote to recommend the best maintenance plan for your multifamily residence to keep your residents happy and attract new residents no matter the season.

Retaining-Wall-and-Monument-Sign-Maintenance

Retaining Wall and Monument Sign Maintenance for Your Property

Retaining-Wall-and-Monument-Sign-MaintenceRetaining Wall and Monument Sign Maintenance Tips and Tricks

When it comes to sloped or terraced properties, nothing is quite as handy as a retaining wall. Not only are they gorgeous and add a brilliant aesthetic to the yard, but they are quite practical and useful at helping you utilize your outdoor space. We wanted to share some tips and tricks when it comes to retaining wall and monument sign maintenance, as well as share the importance of keeping up with your commercial and residential properties’ wall and monument signs.

The Importance of Maintaining Walls and Monument Signs

When it comes to your property retaining walls can come in handy to help hold up the earth (aka dirt) and block it from sliding down when any part of the property is at the end of a decline. Monument signs give a beautiful way to showcase your property and are often found at the entrance to subdivisions. They also help future residents and visitors find your property when driving down the road. Naturally, both of these features provide essential uses to your property which is why proper maintenance is also essential. The last thing you’d want is a retaining wall or monument sign to come crumbling down causing havoc on your property and creating a hazard for residents. At the first signs of wear give us a call so we can come out and inspect and repair any defects before they become bigger problems.

Inspecting Retaining Walls

Inspecting and retaining walls are necessary when it comes to proper maintenance. Checking for gaps in stones themselves as well as cracks in the mortar between them is a good start. Cracks and missing mortar will only get worse with time, so making sure those are properly inspected and maintained are crucial when it comes to walls. Another thing to look for is bulges in the wall. If you notice this is happening and some sections are bowing out, this means the soil is shifting and can cause critical damage in the near future. If you notice this, you should contact a professional as soon as possible so they can help resolve this issue immediately.

Tips on How to Maintain Walls & Signs

Maintenance of walls is important and should be checked at least every quarter. If there are any weeds visible in-between areas of the retaining wall, make sure to remove those by the root as they will continue to multiply and separate the wall over time (despite looking nice in some cases).

If you see any slight settling, surface wear, rotation, or bulging of retaining walls or monument signs, the best next move is to call your partnered construction company to evaluate it for any preventative maintenance to keep the issue from worsening.

There are some preventative measures you can take for retaining walls and monument signs including surface treatments, but make sure to check in and verify any treatments with your partnered construction company in order to be sure you have the right treatment for your surface(s).

Don’t wait until the last moment when it comes to sloping or terraced properties. Consistency maintenance of retaining walls is critical to keeping a healthy commercial or residential property. So whether you need to repair an existing structure or you’d like to add a retaining wall to your property, we can help. Contact us today to get a quote and see how we can transform your property.

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Before, During, and After – What to do When Severe Weather Strikes Texas

before-during-and-after-what-to-do-when-severe-weather-strikes-texasWhat to do When Severe Weather Strikes Texas!

It’s the time of year that leaves Texas standing in the front yard staring at the low, black clouds forming – or (more safely) taking shelter in their home. We know this as tornado season, but it’s not just limited to the spring. Texas is prone to tornadoes any time of year due to our proximity to the gulf coast and cold air that moves in from up north. This means we have to be prepared in the event of tornadoes, severe storms, and straight-line winds and know what to do when severe weather strikes texas! Read on to learn what to do before, during, and after catastrophic Texas storms, and how to protect your property.

Before – Get Prepped & Ready

Knowing when to prepare yourself, your family, and your property for an emergency storm can be a defining moment toward a safe and cautionary experience instead of a reaction. Checking your weather reports often during weather warnings and getting your storm kit prepped will allow ease of mind as the storm passes through. As you prepare everything for the storm heading to your area it is imperative to be sure when, if necessary, to take preemptive measures for when the storm hits.

During – Monitor your Home/Business, and Tornadoes

You’re in the thick of it, winds are howling, thunder is crashing, and you may be panicking a little and we understand that! It’s natural to be worried when severe weather strikes! The best thing you can do when severe weather is happening does you best to stay calm and think clearly. Pay attention to the news reports and listen to what’s going on outside. Be aware of the signs of an impending tornado as they are more likely to happen with spring storms due to the ever-shifting temperature that happens here in Texas.

If a tornado does occur:

DO stay inside, away from windows, in the centermost portion of your location. If you’re in a mobile home or out and about try to get to a nearby gas station or commercial building, like a hotel. Also, try to get some sort of helmet on and hard sole shoes.
DO NOT park under an overpass, go outside to look at the tornado, or try to “escape” it.

Once things have settled down from a tornado or a severe storm take a moment to assess your situation to ensure that it is safe to start moving around. If you have confirmed that it is safe to move around, your next step is to take a look at your property.

After – Call a Contractor First

After a severe weather storm is over and you can safely inspect your property for potential damage, you should always call a contractor for help. Not only will they find the damage promptly and efficiently, but they are certified to repair the damage at hand. More times than not, a great construction team like Classic can also help you when it comes to insurance claims as well as setting up various payment plan options, making it as cost-effective for you as possible. You should never feel alone after property damage due to a severe storm, and the Classic Construction team can help you pick up the pieces and make your property like nothing ever happened!

Now that you’re ready for the next time tornado weather strikes, you can rest easier. Remember to prep before the storms hit, monitor the news during stormy conditions, and afterward inspect your property and then call the experts! Classic’s expert team is ready to go with 24/7 emergency service available. Whether it’s roofing, windows, or other damage, we can stop the leak and restore your building.

Annual-inspection-checklist-for-multifamily-properties

Annual Inspection Checklist for Multifamily Properties

Helpful Checklist for Annual Inspection of Multifamily Properties

Annual-inspection-checklist-for-maintaining-multifamily-properties Summer is right around the corner. This means families, especially those with kids, will be out and about ready to enjoy the summer sun while making memories to last a lifetime for multifamily properties. With this new excitement of outdoor play comes dangerous hazards! This can be anything from nuisances (Not sure what that is? We have a blog for that!) or cracked sidewalks that can cause trips and falls (You guessed it we have a blog on that too!). The best thing you can do as a multifamily owner or an HOA president is to get these hazards taken care of before the summer season and stay on top of these potential issues. Being proactive and taking care of potential issues as they arise is always recommended, however, doing an annual inspection is also a great way to find any issues or hazards you might have missed. As always, you can reach out to us if you need help with any maintenance that might come up. Below, we have provided a helpful checklist for annual inspection for multifamily properties below to get you off on the right foot to ensure your property is safe for summer play this year and many more to follow!

Amenities

Pool

Pool deck free of cracks and chips

Pool coping free of cracks and chips

Cracks or leaks inlining

Gate and safety locks in working order

Playground

Equipment is safe

Padding is checked

Fencing and safety locks are secure

Fitness Centers

Check door locks

Wall mirrors are securely attached

Weight and equipment mounts are secure

Courts – Tennis or Basketball

Gates and safety locks

Surface cracks

Fix faded or chipped paint

All lighting is in working order

Dog Park

Check and repair fencing

Gates and locks are working

Water stations or water pads in working order

Grounds

Sidewalks

Cracks within the concrete are filled

Curb ramps are checked

Surfacing and leveling issues are corrected

Landscape nearby is maintained

Parking Lots

Paint is visible/pavement striping

Proper signage is used

Safety gates and locks are working

Retaining Walls

Any stucco issues are repaired

Check for leaks

Check for mold on walls

Inspect for cavities or warps

Fencing

All fencing is stable

All holes or entrances are repaired

Buildings

Interior

Separated window seals

Check for mold around windows

Replace malfunctioning smoke detectors and fire extinguishers

Ensure HVAC systems are in working condition

Exterior

Clean and/or repair gutters

Check for broken or damaged shingles

Replace non-working lightbulbs or fixtures

Recreational Buildings/Clubhouse

Check for outdoor grill stabilization

Deep clean grills or cooking spaces

Check for loose hardware on fitness equipment

Dispose of any broken/damaged fitness equipment

 

We all know that the weather getting warmer can bring on amazing projects to keep your multifamily properties in shape and ready for a beautiful summer. At Classic Construction & Restoration, our full supporting staff is ready to shape up your commercial or residential property so that summer happens for you and not to you. Call us today for a free estimate on any of your property projects.

Playground slide and stairs with various primary colored railing.

Maintenance for Community Managers: How to maintain your community’s playground equipment –

playground slide and stairs with various primary colors With the hot Summer weather drawing near, the kiddos in your community will want to start playing on the playground more frequently. Before they swarm the equipment, check out these CAI maintenance tips for playgrounds.

Clean the equipment
If you’re thinking like a parent or childcare worker, you probably just imagined yourself wiping everything down with Wet Ones. Don’t worry; there is a faster way!

The first thing you might want to do when inspecting the playground equipment in your community is have it power washed. This will not only remove any dirt or mud buildup but also allow you to see any imperfections or damaged areas of the equipment more clearly.

Check structures for insect nests
Lots of insects hate cold weather and to them, the underside of playground
equipment is a good place to build a home. Have your maintenance crew
walk the entire playground area, even the seating areas, and check for insect
nests.

You might this unnecessary because parents should be responsible for keeping their kids from bothering the insects, but there are always parents that are less attentive than you might think. The last thing you want is an angry parent holding
you responsible for their child getting stung by a bee when they’re deathly allergic.

Think “Safety First”
Take this time to have your maintenance crew tighten or replace any loose bolts
on the playground. This is especially important in cases where there are multiple slides or levels to the playground, and if your community is home to lots of children.

If you find any rusty areas on metal playground equipment, or any warped or
damaged areas on plastic playground equipment, consider getting a bid to repair it.

Playground equipment probably isn’t at the top of your Board’s list of priorities
and that’s okay. Just know that to build a new playground set from the ground up,
it can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $50,000. For higher-end communities
that want even nicer equipment, it can cause ten times this much. In the off
chance that your community playground does need some major repairs, know
that it’s cheaper to maintain it than to rebuild it.

playground swing maintenance blue swings

Budget for resurfacing
This is especially important if the playground has wood chips or tire mulch. Even if you don’t plan to completely replace the surfacing, make sure you budget to have it raked and leveled, especially under the swings and slides.

If you’re not sure if you should resurface your community’s playground, Classic Construction recommends reading the Texas Health and Safety Code regarding playground surfacing. You’ll want to make sure your current playground is up to code before worrying about whether or not it’s in good enough condition to leave in place.

Community playgrounds are amenities that do an excellent job of bringing communities together. They get kids and parents out of their homes and into connection and conversation with each other. To make sure your community playground can continue to provide this invaluable service, take some time to schedule the inspection today.

Empty apartment turnover maintenance

Preparing for Tenant Turnover: What Major Maintenance Items Should Be on Your Checklist?

Tenant turnover is a year-round problem for property managers and landlords. But with the warmer weather on the horizon, turnover rates will be on the rise. According to the National Apartment Association, turnover expenses have the potential to reach up to $162,000 or more annually, depending on the property’s location and turnover rate. 

With that being said, here are 3 of the top turnover maintenance tips to help you manage this busy season more effectively and save money in the process.

Begin the process before your current tenant moves out

As long as your resident has given you written notice of their intent to vacate, you can start the turnover process by scheduling a pre-inspection at any time before the current tenant moves out. During this time, you’ll be able to assess the condition of the flooring, the blinds, the appliances and any other big-ticket items that you might need to order in advance. 

Speak with your vendors about availability of materialsa kitchen with with stainless steel fridge, black stove and a black over the range microwave. White cabinets and black countertops. Kitchen receiving maintenance and being cleared.

Because you were smart and started the turnover process early, you now have the opportunity to make sure that your vendors have what you need in stock, or place your order for the materials so that you receive them in a timely manner. 

Additionally, your maintenance team will be able to prepare for whatever make-ready responsibilities they will be handling after the tenant is gone. These can include, but are not limited to, replacing window screens, air vents, appliance upkeep and cleaning. 

Prepare for both major and minor renovations, if necessary

If during your pre-inspection you realize the unit is overdue for a light remodel, you will be able to assess what items need replacing. Simple renovations such as new light fixtures, additional electrical outlets, or new paint can potentially generate a higher rent and depending on the skills your maintenance team possesses, can be done by them for a relatively low cost.

However, if you or the property owner have been going through the process of completely updating units and this one needs a major remodel, this is the time to request contractor bids and estimate the costs. Doing this before the current resident is gone will help you when looking at your turnover budget and you will be able to then determine an accurate timeline for when the unit can be rent-ready.

Empty rooms with clean wood floors a fireplace receiving maintenance. Room has white walls and a white ceiling fan with three lights turned on. Empty room maintenance managing tenant vacancy

Fortunately for you, Classic Construction handles everything from general maintenance to full remodels to large insurance claims. If you find your maintenance staff overwhelmed with their turnover responsibilities, give us a call or contact us today for a free estimate!

two GAF Certified quality roofing contractors on the roof taken from arial view of the roof

What is a roof inspection and why should I get one?

According to the Community Association Institution, “having your roof inspected is the single most important thing you can do to ensure its overall lifespan.” I know the roofs over our heads aren’t top of mind most days, but it’s important that we make sure they can withstand the storms that are potentially headed our way this spring.

The purpose of roof inspections is to find any problems as well as gauge the remaining life of the roof. As a roof can be one of a homeowner’s or HOA’s more costly expenses, it’s well worth the minimal price of an inspection to make sure no major damage has accrued over the years.

House undergoing roof inspectionWhile a thorough roof inspection is something that should be left to a professional roofing contractor, you as the homeowner or property manager can perform a basic inspection. This can be done from the ground with binoculars as you circle the property, or from the top of a ladder set against the roof. Slowly circle the property and search for obvious signs of damage: missing shingles, sagging near ridges, or rusty metal where the house meets the roof.

For safety reasons, we do not recommend climbing up on the roof to perform the inspection unless you are a professional. We also don’t recommend this because a professional contractor will be able to notice some of the more subtle damages that can be acquired during the lifetime of the roof.

These subtle damages include:

  • Loose shingles
  • Nail pops
  • Improper air conditioning installation
  • Loose, missing or corroded flashing
  • Proper ventilation to allow roof to breath
  • Depressions near vent pipes, clogged drains or separations in flashing that cause water to pool in ridges

An inspection report from a qualified roofer should let you know how much longer you can keep your current roof or if it needs serious repairs. If you’re on a budget and looking for an inspection and estimate for repairs, call Classic Construction today at 972-437-0909 or contact us through our website. We offer free estimates!