Congratulations to the team at Criterium-Lalancette & Dudka Engineers, our Criterium Engineers April 2019 Office of the Month. The two offices recently combined when Andrew Dudka, owner of the Criterium Massachusetts affiliate, acquired Vermont-based Criterium-Lalancette Engineers, owned by Rick Lalancette. As with any acquisition, this meant a great deal of planning, a myriad of tasks,….
News
Still Hot – Condo Market Forecast
This time of year I like to share my observations of the Maine real estate market and forecast things to come (spoiler alert) the news is still good. Describing Maine’s real estate market is like describing its weather. First there is a discussion about the southern part of the state and later the northern part….
Building Envelope Woes
So what to do in a Maine winter? Certainly snow sports, a good book, or dreams of spring golf are excellent pursuits but for the chairperson of the condo maintenance committee, winter is a good time to be planning building envelope repairs. The building envelope comprises the roof, siding, and foundation with all of the….
Paving Isn’t Sexy: But Proper Maintenance is Essential
When was the last time you thought about your parking lot? The honest answer, probably is: not in recent memory. It’s not a question of ‘out of sight–out of mind.’ Parking lots and other paved areas are highly visible, but they aren’t all that interesting. There is nothing sexy about asphalt. A well-designed, nicely manicured….
Stairways and Decks Aren’t Safe Unless their Railings Are Secure
Your Home | Volume 35, Number 1 You’re standing in the basement waiting for a friend, who is following you down the stairs. Missing a step, your friend reaches for the railing, which breaks away from the wall. This will not end well for your friend, who may be seriously injured or worse; and it….
Hidden Dangers of Dryer Vents
Who would think venting a unit’s clothes dryer was so complicated? When was the last time the cleanliness of dryer vents was on your Board’s meeting agenda? Yet, clothes dryers may be one of the most dangerous appliances in the home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there are more than 15,000 home fires….
The Association Landscaper
Sure, it’s cold out there. It’s Maine and we have long winters but if the condo board is to find a good landscaper for spring projects now’s the time to start looking. Landscaping contractors are overhauling their equipment; looking for experienced crews; and scheduling their current customers, so if you wait till the frost is….
Transitions in Condominiums: Two Primary Elements
All things are in transition. Nature, the New England Patriots, and condo communities go through transitions. In the world of condos many of these transition milestones are well understood, many are not. Most know condos go through a transition management period from the developer to unit owner, but there is much more. Condo transition has….