Commercial Services

What is a Commercial Building? A commercial building is virtually any building larger than a two-family home. They are often very different, depending on their use. Criterium-Dormady Engineers has expertise and experience in many types of commercial structures, including: Retail buildings and shopping centers Low, mid, or high rise office buildings Hotels, motels, lodges, and inns Multi-family, apartments, and condominiums Light and medium industrial complexes Hospitals, clinics, and laboratories Schools, churches, and other institutions Building Inspections Criterium-Dormady Engineers provides a wide variety of building inspection services for commercial property owners ranging from inspection of a single office building, to multi-unit apartment complexes, to strip shopping centers, to multi-story office and condominium buildings. Because we are consultants, we can tailor the scope of our inspection services to meet almost any need a client may have. Property Condition Assessments Criterium Engineers' reports contain information about a structure and its components vital to investment and finance decision making. The Property Condition Assessment Report provides appropriate due diligence for a real estate transaction. Our reports comply with industry standards using the general guidance of ASTM E 2018-99, “Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process.” Our standard report goes beyond these basic requirements by providing additional commentary about the operation of the building and its systems. We have also created customized or abbreviated reports and formats for special needs or very large and time-sensitive assignments. Condominium Reserve Studies The Criterium Engineers Reserve Study combines an engineering review of building components with a financial analysis to determine what must be set aside on a periodic basis in a capital reserve fund. In our analysis, we employ software developed exclusively for Criterium Engineers by KPMG Peat Marwick. Condominium associations and other Common Interest Realty Groups will appreciate Criterium Engineers comprehensive approach to reserve studies. If your reserve is under-funded, we will develop practical alternatives that combine common sense engineering and "Big Five" accounting expertise. If your property has known problems, or if we uncover them, we are available locally to develop repair designs, bid packages, and manage construction. If you have never had a reserve study, you will have peace of mind knowing that a reliable analysis has been performed. The software provides Common Interest Realty Groups with an analysis of their current capital reserves, future requirements, and various funding options for ensuring the viability and health of the capital reserve fund. The standard Reserve Study consists of 4 elements: Component Inventory Condition Assessment and Valuation Fund Status Funding Plan We understand and comply with state and industry standards and AICPA requirements. We also understand the often politically sensitive nature of Common Interest Realty Groups. We have proven our ability to work effectively with owners, boards and managers. Maintenance Planning The development of a Long-Term Maintenance Plan for a facility or institution is performed by evaluating the existing facilities to identify areas of concern and project costs associated with those areas of concern as well as other general non-routine maintenance. These costs can then be included in an overall evaluation of the needs of the facility and institution to ensure that sufficient funds are available throughout the term of the evaluation. The Property Condition Assessment portion is performed using the general guidance of ASTM E 2018-99, "Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process." We will perform an on-site evaluation for the purpose of determining the current condition of the property. This will include a physical inspection of all aspects of the property including the general site and paving, foundations, superstructures, exteriors, roof surfacings, plumbing systems, HVAC systems, electrical systems, specialty systems such as security and fire detection and suppression, interior finishes, and general effectiveness of current maintenance practices. The on-site portion of the evaluation identifies the current condition of the equipment and facilities, projects the remaining useful life of components and develops recommendations for resolution of problem areas. As part of the process, we will interview personnel as necessary to identify areas of on-going concerns with regard to the existing facilities. A written report will detail the results of the Property Condition Assessment and provide tables with the projected costs for the Long Term Maintenance Plan. As part of the completion of this project, we will meet with individuals, the Maintenance Committee or another committee as appropriate to review the plan and our recommendations Americans with Disabilities Act Audits A survey of the building's architectural barriers for compliance with this civil liberties law. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Phase I Environmental Site Assessments We perform Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM E 1527-00. An ESA is intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner defense to CERCLA liability. In addition, in accordance with Standard & Poor's Plus Protocol, we generally investigate environmental issues and conditions at the property that are beyond the scope of the ASTM E 1527-00 standard and may not present potential CERCLA liability but which warranted consideration within the scope of this project. We conduct a site visit to obtain visual evidence of the likelihood of the presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products that indicates an existing release, a past release, or a threat of a release onto the property. This site visit includes: Review for any visual evidence of present or past existence of any storage tanks (aboveground and belowground), wells, and waste storage disposal facilities including on-site septic systems. Review for any visual evidence of electrical transformers and equipment that use/contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Review for any visual evidence of asbestos. Review for any visual evidence of lead-based paint. Review for any visual evidence of the potential for lead in water. Review for the potential for air radon at a level greater than 4.0 picocuries per liter. Review for any visual evidence of the presence of ozone-depleting substances, in particular chlorofluorocarbons and related refrigerants. Identify the current and prior uses of the property. We review the apparent current and prior uses of all adjacent properties to assess the potential for migration of contaminants to the subject property. Review readily available public records to identify existing or potential sources of contamination to the subject property. Identify general physical environmental features of the site. NEW CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Construction Quality Inspections This type of service includes an on-site evaluation(s) of a newly constructed home or commercial building. Similar to pre-purchase inspections, a new construction inspection may include a list of defects to be corrected by the contractor/builder prior to occupancy or ownership. This may involve several site inspections over the construction period or only a final inspection at construction completion. Construction Management This type of service includes providing oversight of the contractor’s performance to ensure the house or commercial building is being constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications, and within the project budget. This may involve several site inspections during the construction of the building. Construction Progress Inspections This type of service includes a series of regular inspections during the construction of a new house or commercial building to ensure the work has been completed in accordance with the contractor's draw request. Typical clients include banks and individual who hire a prime contractor to build their home.