Construction Management Westlake Village Blog

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Turning Back the Clock

A guide to helping your property look years younger Is it time for a little Botox or would it be better to have a facelift? The answer to that question depends on whose face, and whose wallet you’re talking about. If it is someone else’s face and your wallet Botox will be just fine. But what if it’s your face and your wallet? Now the decision gets harder! (It is also where this analogy ends, as my face is what it is and no amount of Botox or a facelift is going to help). The discussion around the table...

One Structural Problem with Two Projects to Manage

On almost every HOA reconstruction project we encounter the same types of challenges to one degree or another, and these challenges would be no different for a seismic upgrade project. First is the “political” aspect of a project, which entails explaining to the homeowners the necessity for the project in such a way that they will understand and approve. Under the best of circumstances, if not managed effectively and efficiently, a project can quickly “go south” making the task of the Board obtaining approval of the membership that much more difficult. Even a small number of disgruntled or dissenting homeowners...

Is That Balcony a Death Trap?

Okay, maybe that is a little extreme, but people have a reasonable expectation when they walk up a set of stairs or out onto a balcony that there is no risk involved. And of course that’s how we should feel, but after reading headlines like “2 Killed, 29 Hurt When Malibu Balcony Falls”, or “6 Dead, 7 Hurt in Berkeley Balcony Collapse” maybe we should think again. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System it is estimated that over a five year period 224,740 people were injured due to deck, porch or stairs accidents...

Tough Choices, Good Decisions

The Board of Directors debates - but "The Process" is even more important! The Board knows they are facing a project that can't be put off any longer. The time has come to get it done! Past boards may have put it off because of a lack of funds, or because some were terrified by the thought of going to the homeowners, or they were just overwhelmed at the thought of dealing with the mess of a construction project . . . Tough Choices Article

Fact or Fiction

Over the last 30 plus years we have heard many HOA boards of directors and even some community managers state reasons why they decided not to involve a construction manager (CM) in their project. Although many of these reasons may seem appropriate on their face, oftentimes they indicate a lack of understanding of what exactly a construction manager does and the value they bring to a project. Let’s look at some of these stated “justifications” as to why a board or community manager may think a CM is not necessary for their project. “Our project is too small to require...

Overcoming Renovation Challenges

Ponderosa Springs Homeowner Association is a lovely 210-unit complex in San Pedro with numerous mature trees, waterfalls and streams throughout. The 30-year-old buildings, however, were suffering the effects of deferred maintenance of their wood decks, stairs, etc. Published in Focus Magazine May/June 2015 Overcoming Renovation Challenges Focus_May-June_2015_

Why Construction Management?

We have found that many associations are not fully aware of the duties and responsibilities of a construction manager, and are therefore hesitant to hire one, because they feel that they are just adding an additional layer of cost to the project. Regardless of what caused the problem that you're facing, i.e., construction defects, a catastrophic event, or just deferred maintenance, the solutions are not always as simple as they might appear. There are many complex issues that must be considered and dealt with properly in any construction project of this nature for the project to be successful. Who will...

The Building Envelope – A system to be maintained

Three days of straight rain and the property manager can’t answer the phone fast enough. She thinks to herself, “How can this be, we just had the roofs replaced last year.” The roofs might be in perfect condition, but still the leaks persist. Building Envelope Article-March2011

Communication, Collaboration and Cooperation

“Good Communication Takes Leadership” By Dennis Brooks, Design Build Associates, Inc. Good communication takes leadership. Does your homeowners association have a strong communication process so that you can keep the homeowners informed? During a reconstruction project it is especially critical to communicate well with the homeowners. Efficient and effectively managed projects focus almost as much on communication during a project as they do on the construction details themselves. Collaboration and cooperation occur through communication. It provides the shared understanding that enables everyone to work together toward a common goal. Effective project communications need to be more than just a reaction...

The Conundrum of Deferred Maintenance

The term “deferred” means to put something off until a later time, while the word “maintenance” is defined as work that is done regularly to keep a building, or piece of equipment in good condition and working order. This begs the question, how does someone put something off until a later time while doing it regularly? At a recent homeowner association meeting where extensive deferred maintenance issues were being discussed, we had invited a local real estate appraiser to address the membership concerning several different renovation options (and therefore costs) associated with the much needed repairs. In his opening remarks...

Supporting Homeowners Associations from Conception to Completion

US Builders Review In 1983, Dennis Brooks got an opportunity of a lifetime. After completing his undergrad and masters program in construction and business management at Colorado State University, he went to work for a large commercial development firm. “The partners of this firm decided they had made their money and wanted to get out of construction,” recalls Dennis, president of Design Build Associates Inc. (DBA). “I was in a fortunate place because the president asked me if I’d like to take over the business. He offered me his contacts and told me he would support me through the first...

Selecting the Right Materials for the Project Makes a BIG Difference

This article was first featured in Focus Magazine Jan/Feb 2013 Edition. The Essex House, a three -story (14-unit) luxury condominium complex located on the sand in Marina del Rey was a property that was in need of some serious help. The original selection of building materials, coupled with years of deferred maintenance, had caused serious problems for this property. The heavy marine environment, the constant "sand blasting" and the harsh sun had taken its toll on the complex. When we were hired by the Association the building envelope had deteriorated to the point that portions of it were wrapped in plastic and...

Board Perserverance & Professional Help Win the Day!

For years Village Palos Verdes Homeowners Association had incurred substantial costs for building maintenance. The complex, consisting of 21 buildings, two pool house buildings and 180 units,was in excess of 30 years old. The original cedar siding had never been sealed nor had any finish ever been applied; it was dried out, full of termites and dry rot and was a source of substantial water intrusion. In many locations the association had used caulking on the siding trying to keep water from entering the units, but this was expensive and ineffective .Although many in the association were aware that it was necessary to...

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