Evaluating Aging Building Infrastructure

Introduction

Evaluating the performance of aging building elements is not one of the hard sciences; and in the case of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, foundations, below grade waterproofing, and more, it is complicated by the fact they are partially or entirely hidden. This program is for those tasked with helping people make long-term decisions about their building systems and Pete Fowler Construction Services’ approach to applying the scientific method to building rehabilitation decisions.

“End of (Service) Life Care: Evaluating Aging Building Infrastructure" begins with a discussion of the importance of this subject, because most people spend 20-50% of their income on housing. Then we get into the details of who should be on the team and exactly what should be done to professionally evaluate the discrete building elements and apply professional judgement about what work should be done and when. We will have a high-level discussion about professional construction contracting discipline and how a broad lack of this in the building rehabilitation industry is causing harm to the most fragile property owners. Finally, we will wrap with a discussion of how to plan for the inevitable future.

Watch Recording

Learning Objectives

There is an alternative to the terrible way the aging properties are typically assessed and rehabilitated.
Who is on the team in evaluating aging infrastructure is VERY important.
Building performance analysis is about 80% science that should be performed according to industry standards, and 20% art or professional judgment.
Professional Construction Contracting discipline is 95% science.

Program Outline

Introduction
End of Life Care
"Don't ask the barber whether you need a haircut."
Playing Doctor
Operation
Retirement Planning
Conclusion

Backup Materials

Case Study: How to Save a Million Bucks
Lifecycle Cost Analysis
Building Rehab Process (Our “Solve the Problem Method”)
Dramatic Savings
Think Holistic Medicine
Major Building Elements
PFCS Resources: Inspection & Testing
PFCS Resources: Construction Management
PFCS Resources: Construction Defects
PFCS Resources: Building Lifecycle Management
The Lord’s Work

3. "DON’T ASK THE BARBER WHETHER YOU NEED A HAIRCUT."

Case Study: Soil Subsidence Repair
Who? The Most Important Q
The Building Doctor
Who Is In Charge of What?
Who is on the Team?
Fee for Service
Hiring Discipline
RFP Sample for Hiring Professionals
Firing an Engineer
An Army of Sheep

4. PLAYING DOCTOR

Case Study: Plumbing in a High-Rise
Building Performance Analysis
Document & File Management
Meetings/Interviews with Key People
Building Information Management
Inspection
Analysis
Testing
Estimate
Property Condition Assessment
Element Analysis

5. OPERATION

Case Study: CM with Major Savings by Minimizing COs Using Estimating Skill
The Traditional Approach
Common Pitfalls
Professional Construction Contracting Discipline
The DBSKCV Construction Management Method
Prescribe: RFP Contents
The Golden Rule
Don't Sign That contract!
Start with One Building or a Small Sample

6. RETIREMENT PLANNING

Case Study: Elevator Closet
Comparison of Plan to Actual: Construction Costs & Schedule
BLM Matrix
As-Builts or PCA Update
Standardized Maintenance & Repair Scopes of Work, and RFPs
Reserve Study
The Most Powerful Force in the Universe
Comparison of Plan to Actual: Reserve Study

7. CONCLUSION

Program Outline
Learning Objectives
Program Introduction Revisited

Presentations

This program was originally presented at the Reserve Analysts (APRA) Symposium 2018 in Nashville, TN.

Here is a link to the complete presentation and backup materials.