Category: Exterior

Most U.S. municipalities have local laws on their books governing how exterior building façades must be inspected, maintained and repaired. While such legislation is occasionally enacted at the state level, generally these laws are a local …

One of the most common—and most daunting—projects undertaken in shared-interest, multifamily communities is facade repair and maintenance. In New York, façade work is almost always connected with Local Law 11 (LL11) compliance, and is a mat…

Access agreements—the legal documents you must secure before you can encroach upon your neighbors’ property to carry out needed work on your own—have long been a thorn in the side of co-ops and condos. This is particularly true in Manhattan…

The unique charm of historic properties—both inside and out—is a key draw for many co-op and condo buyers. Exterior ornamentation, ornate brickwork and moldings, inlaid flooring and other vintage features create exactly the kind of ambience…

It’s a rare but awful occurrence: someone passing by a multistory building, minding their business as they go about their day, is struck by something—a brick, a chunk of masonry, or some other piece of building material—falling from the fac…

Nothing lasts forever, not even your roof. While roofs have a relatively long life compared to other building systems and components, at some point they will need either partial or full replacement. Here are the facts and factors you and yo…

Did you know that March 23 is World Elevator Day? Now you do. (You’re welcome.) On that date way back in 1857, the first passenger elevator was installed in the E.V. Haughwout Building—an upscale, five-story department store in Manhattan’s …

With severe weather events becoming ever more common—and more intense—waterproofing your building’s envelope against rain, wind, snow, and ice is a growing concern. To counter the effects of climate change on buildings both old and new, our…

As we move toward spring and summer, major capital improvement projects become the focus for many co-op and condominium communities. One of the largest projects your community may undertake is a roof replacement. Whether a high-rise, mid-ri…

While few would argue that regular, thorough building inspections are important for the safety of both people and property, the increasing number - and rising cost - of mandatory inspections has co-op and condo boards looking for more affor…