Capital Upgrades & Retrofits
Three red flags of risky procurement practices
Federal scrutiny of condo procurement should be sufficient reason for diligent condo boards to examine their procurement practices.
Condo windows: repair or replace?
For condo buildings built in the 1980’s or 1990’s, there is likely a window project coming up in the reserve fund study.
Insurance crisis affecting reserve fund planning
The insurance crisis in condominiums is affecting how boards are planning for disasters in Ontario.
Condos in precarious spot if small repairs sit idle
Should the corporation move forward with certain maintenance repairs if the issue has the potential to become exponentially worse?
Ontario advances elevator repair legislation
Ontario is kicking the dust off of elevator repair legislation, which was passed under the Liberal government in May 2018 but never proclaimed into law.
Digging into the coming geothermal boom
While the relevance of geothermal has been percolating for years, the buzz is that more developers are starting to pay attention.
What the new Construction Act means for condos
Construction is a billion-dollar industry in Canada. While most large projects at condominiums proceed relatively smoothly, there is always risk of friction for contractors and
How to avoid a DIY renovation disaster
The renovation work should aim to improve the property and make it more accessible for residents and visitors.
Gaps flagged in new CDM programs
After 2022, companies must use their own funds to reimburse embedded energy managers, but will be offered “an enhanced level of technical support and resources.” It's a move some see as more short-sighted.
Creating a condo sustainability plan for 2021
A sustainability plan and budget should be made with the mindset of plan and prevent, instead of react and pivot.
Canada’s condo insurance crisis
Impacts of the hard insurance market are trickling into condominium corporations across Canada, challenging boards and managers in their wake.
Reserve fund budgeting: A fan coil unit retrofit
One of the most under addressed issues in aging condos is the fan coil unit. Residents often take an “out of sight, out of mind” approach.
How is COVID-19 impacting reserve funds?
Many reserve fund projects have not been able to proceed this year. Even now as construction has “opened up,” contractors have backlogs that will allow them to complete only some of the previously planned projects.
Feds to invest $2 billion in energy retrofits
A promised $2 billion investment in large-scale building retrofits will be central to the Canadian government’s job creation ambitions. Energy efficiency champions have plenty of ideas of how and where the funds could be best leveraged.
Budgeting the unknown amid a pandemic
Condo corporations are facing new budgeting challenges in 2020. Planning for unexpected and increasing expenses is difficult to anticipate.
Condo communities build up resilience in 2020
With always evolving guidelines and pandemic uncertainty, building resilience in condo communities is more important than ever.
Are condos prepared for climate change?
While many condos haven’t yet experienced the major effects of climate change, statistics and case studies foreshadow the impacts that could come.