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 experts consulting in the field of building envelopes, 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, we can identify issues with the building envelope and enclosure—such as water leaks, air leaks, or energy inefficiencies—that standard real estate inspections may not detect. Addressing these issues 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 issues that could jeopardize the transaction. We specialize in identifying repair needs, disclosures, and outlining the scope, costs, and timeframes required for addressing the buildings issues.

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, allowing firms like California Consultants to conduct 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.

In summary, 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 a professional firm, like California Consultants, is essential to identify the sources, necessary repairs, and associated costs.

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

Proper due diligence in real estate is essential for a fair and successful transaction, whether you’re the buyer or seller. A building envelope consultant, like California Consultants, can help uncover the true value of necessary corrections and repairs, identify hidden and potentially costly issues, and prevent future litigation. Protect yourself and your investment by ensuring it doesn’t become a liability and maximize the building’s lifespan and value by consulting with California Consultants before entering any real estate transaction.

OUR SERVICES