With seasonal storms becoming both more frequent and more intense in the Northeast, the reality of urban flooding and the damage it causes to people and property is something board-management teams can’t afford to ignore. For those overseei…
A façade inspection identifies conditions that require attention. Turning those findings into completed repairs is another undertaking entirely. Between the engineer’s report and the removal of a sidewalk shed lie many important decisions a…
With seasonal storms becoming both more frequent and more intense in the Northeast, the reality of urban flooding and the damage it causes to people and property is something board-management teams can’t afford to ignore. For those overseei…
Sidewalk sheds are a frequent sight—and frequently a point of contention—across all five boroughs. Put up to facilitate facade inspections and repairs, they often remain in place for months (or even years), accumulating trash and other debr…
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…