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Managing Rising Construction Costs For Your Upcoming Projects

Jul 1, 2022 | Article, Blog, Chapter Happenings Sponsor, Construction, Decking, General Contracting, Plumbing, Railings, Roofing, Siding, Windows

Everyone is experiencing higher costs of fuel, food and other necessary, everyday items. You’ve done all the right things including setting aside funds for current and future projects, but prices are coming in higher than expected. What are your options and what steps can you take to mitigate rising construction costs?

First, prioritize upcoming projects. Anything involving potential life safety issues will need to be addressed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you cannot change today’s costs, but you can impact when and if large expenditures hit your bank account. The way to maintain this control is by inspecting your association’s common areas for damage or deterioration that could lead to larger projects if left too long.

The main cause of damage is water getting in places where it doesn’t belong. Visual inspections and repair of the following areas will help tremendously in minimizing expensive, larger projects in the future:

Roof

Loose or missing shingles
Keep roofs clear of debris and moss including drains, scuppers, collector heads, gutters and downspouts.
Sagging gutters and unattached downspouts
Gaps in the flashing around the chimney, kickout flashings, vents, vent pipe boots need to be watertight
Crumbling or flaking of the surface of brickwork as well as loose, crumbling mortar.

Attic

Signs of water damage/leak
Presence of mold without a leak (improper ventilation)
Holes or cracks where rodents might enter
Rodent “bridges” = trees overhanging the building

Siding & Foundation

Loose siding or siding that does not have correct joint protection such as caulking or flashing
Rotted wood siding: look for woodpecker holes, impact from blown debris, and normal wear and tear from age / weather.
Cracks and gaps in foundation and siding.

Doors & Windows

Worn weatherstripping, door sweeps, or caulking around doors, garage doors, and windows
Signs of water damage on the interior of windows and doors.

Exterior Decks & Railings

Do not ignore staining in deck soffits or coming from behind siding
Deck coatings pealing or soft spots in deck, especially around scuppers and gutters
Cracked concrete steps and /or loose railing connections
Decay at base of stair stringers

Plumbing

Discoloration around water supply hoses
Cracks in supply hoses
Water damage around the base of a toilet

Contact your association management company or preferred contractor to assist with these inspections and repairs now to maintain your property and reduce future expenses.