Real Estate Building Envelope and Enclosure Due Diligence

OUR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE BUILDING ENVELOPE & ENCLOSURE DUE DILIGENCE

Real Estate Building Envelope and Enclosure Due Diligence

SERVICES OVERVIEW

As expert building envelope consultants specializing in waterproofing, engineering, and general construction, California Consultants is ideally suited as a specialized consultant for real estate transactions. Whether commercial or residential, our building envelope and enclosure consulting services can benefit both buyers and sellers in several ways. Through comprehensive testing or detailed visual analysis, our envelope consultants can identify issues with the building envelope systems—such as water leaks, air leakage problems, or energy inefficiencies—that standard real estate inspections may not detect. Addressing these envelope problems before the transaction closes ensures a more informed and secure decision.

Our knowledge, expertise, and comprehensive building envelope consulting services provide the due diligence necessary to uncover and avoid hidden, costly repairs that could jeopardize the transaction. We specialize in identifying repair needs, disclosures, and outlining the scope, costs, and timeframes required for addressing the building’s issues. Our building envelope consultants are well-versed in industry standards and can provide insights into various aspects of the structure, including roofs, fenestration, and thermal barriers.

What A General Real Estate Inspection Can And Can’t Do

A general real estate inspection is the initial step to identify potential underlying problems. However, this inspection is not designed to determine the root cause, contributing factors, or the necessary repairs and associated costs to address these issues.

The general inspection process is intended to highlight concerns, however hiring a firm like California Consultants provides a more in-depth, non-destructive assessment, along with any other required investigatory measures, to evaluate the severity and scope of the problems – whether they are superficial or more significant. Saving you a potential catastrophe on your investment.

Our building envelope consultants can provide a thorough analysis of the building envelope design, including aspects such as weather protection, sound transmission, and fire resistance.

Why You Need A Specialized Consultant

A general real estate inspector provides a high-level review, but if any concerns are raised, it is unwise to remove contingencies without a firm like ours performing a professional assessment.

When a general inspection uncovers issues such as those listed below, a non-destructive analysis by professional building envelope consultants, like those at California Consultants, is essential to identify the sources, necessary repairs, and associated costs. Our envelope consultants can inspect and test various components, ensuring proper installation and adherence to code requirements.

Benefits of Hiring a Building Envelope and Enclosure Consultant

Avoid Costly Surprises:

Identify any exorbitant, and unexpected costs associated with your investment—costs that could amount to the building’s entire value. For instance, we’ve seen cases where a $3 million building faces $2 million in repairs. A significant percentage of new construction buildings, if not built correctly, may require a complete reskin which involves removing and replacing all cladding and waterproofing components, from the substrate to the exterior, both above and below grade. When not done in sequence, these repairs can become exceedingly expensive.

For Sellers:

Ensure you understand the issues and associated repair costs. Identify and evaluate these concerns before the sale. If the repair cost is $250,000, you shouldn’t have to offer a $1 million discount.

For Buyers:

Make sure you aren’t buying a property with hidden problems. Verify that all costs and maintenance issues have been fully disclosed and not deferred to you unknowingly.

While every real estate transaction carries risk, having this professional discipline represented—whether you are buying or selling—ensures the transaction has the best chance of being fair to both sides.

Litigation Prevention:

Protect yourself from potential lawsuits and legal complications after the transaction. While California Consultants offers litigation support services, the best approach is to prevent these issues from arising in the first place. However, should litigation become necessary, our firm is equipped to represent you, ensuring continuity without the need to change experts.

Services A Building Envelope and Enclosure Consultant Can Provide In Real Estate Transactions

Visual, Non-destructive testing and Destructive Testing: Our firm has the tools, technology and experience to test and perform quality assurance on all building envelope and enclosure systems, beyond what a general architect, contractor or building inspector could provide.

Some of the testing services offered by our firm are:

Mildew
Mold / Microbacterial Growth
Excessive moisture
Above-grade leaks
Below-grade leaks

Window and door leaks
Roof leaks
Stucco cracks
Basement leaks
Staining

Concrete efflorescence, cracks, or spalling
Rust
Wood rot
Balcony/deck leaks
Pooling or ponding conditions

As building envelope consultants, we offer a range of services that go beyond standard inspections. We can assess the building envelope systems for thermal transfer issues, evaluate the impact of structural movement on the envelope, and provide insights into the materials and methods used in construction. Our expertise extends to analyzing the performance of above-grade exterior walls, below-grade walls, and other critical components of the building envelope.

By engaging our building envelope consulting services, clients benefit from our engineering expertise and in-depth understanding of building envelope technologies. We can identify potential envelope problems early, preventing costly repairs and severe damage in the future. Our consultants are skilled in developing cost-effective solutions that address issues while considering factors such as aesthetics, maintainability, and occupant comfort.

In the context of real estate transactions, our building envelope consultants can provide valuable insights into the long-term performance and sustainability of building enclosures. We can assess the energy consumed by the building, evaluate the effectiveness of thermal barriers, and recommend improvements to enhance the overall efficiency of the structure. This comprehensive approach ensures that our clients have a complete understanding of the building’s condition and potential future needs.

Furthermore, our expertise in construction management services allows us to offer guidance on constructability and potential challenges in addressing any identified issues. We can review building plans and design documents, ensuring that any proposed remediation or improvements align with best practices in building envelope design and construction.

In cases where envelope problems are identified, our building envelope consultants can provide detailed reports outlining the necessary steps for repair or remediation. This information is crucial for both buyers and sellers in negotiating real estate transactions, as it provides a clear understanding of the building’s condition and any potential future expenses.

By leveraging our services, clients can benefit from our independent representation and unbiased assessment of the building envelope. This can be particularly valuable in situations involving construction litigation or disputes related to building performance.

In conclusion, as specialized building envelope consultants, California Consultants offers a level of expertise and insight that goes far beyond standard real estate inspections. Our comprehensive approach to analyzing building envelope systems, combined with our understanding of industry standards and building envelope technologies, ensures that our clients are well-informed and protected in their real estate transactions. By identifying and addressing envelope problems early, we help prevent catastrophic issues and contribute to the long-term sustainability and performance of buildings.

OUR SERVICES