Maine has the oldest population in the country with a median age of 44.8 years. Condominium residents are on average older than non-condominium residents. Of more importance, 23% of Maine’s population is over 65 years old. The most concerning statistic is that 30% of these 65+ year olds report falling within the last year. These….
Have you walked your asphalt assets lately? Parking lots, driveways, and roads spend a lot of time in the sun or are being pelted by rain, snow, and salt while silently crushed by tons of trucks, SUVs, and sharply turning vehicle wheels of all types. No wonder their surfaces snap, crackle, and pop over the….
Condo boards and property managers face a constant balancing act: controlling costs while keeping structures safe, functional, and appealing. Yet one strategic choice consistently separates well‑run properties from those plagued by emergencies and escalating expenses: the decision to prioritize preventive maintenance over reactive repairs. While reactive repairs may seem cheaper in the moment, the long‑term….
The team at Criterium encourages commercial and residential property owners, property managers, and HOA board members to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season which takes place June 1 through November 30 each year. This year’s Atlantic seasonal forecast was announced by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. They predict an….
The team at Criterium encourages commercial and residential property owners, property managers, and HOA board members to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season which takes place June 1 through November 30 each year. This year’s Atlantic seasonal forecast was announced by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. They predict a….
It was inevitable. Portland’s skyline will soon rise. Portland has been the center for Maine’s high-rise construction with such structures as Franklin Towers (175 feet); Back Bay Tower (172 feet); and 201 Federal Street (200 feet). With the announcement in May of the 30-story, 380-foot ‘Old Port Square’ proposed building, things are about to….
As if your docket of condo board issues were not heavy enough, now the potential of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries safety dangers has been surfacing at condo and HOA community gatherings. Li-ion batteries are everywhere and multiplying. Not only are they in your neighbor’s new EV (electric vehicle) in the garage but also his e-bike….
Contributed by Ralph Manglass, P.E., Senior Engineer, Criterium Engineers If you own or manage a building with air conditioning or heat pump systems, you may soon notice higher replacement costs, and the reason may not be equipment age alone. Enacted in 2025, new federal refrigerant regulations began reshaping the HVAC industry, with significant cost….
There are many reasons a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) might be needed before purchasing a commercial property: The most obvious—oil tanks or chemical storage bins have been dumped on your site or on sites adjacent to yours. Your lender might require it, as many lenders do for larger projects. Your attorney might recommend….
A building’s exterior façade can experience water infiltration anytime during a its lifetime. The façade is composed of a variety of components including windows / door penetrations; wall cladding; and features such as balconies and other architectural elements. Water infiltration can occur while the building is undergoing transition from developer to a new condominium….