Saunders Construction Blog
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
What is the Future of Office Post Covid-19?
It is no surprise the office sector of commercial real estate has been a hot topic after this past year. The office is typically known as a place of collaboration within an organization that allows social interaction, creative partnerships, communal development, and...
Does my building qualify for a seismic retrofit?
How do I know if my building needs a seismic retrofit? What are the qualifying factors for a seismic retrofit? Are there specific features to look for in the building structure? Does there have to be structural damage? Does my building need to be near a seismic fault...
Technology is Revolutionizing the Industrial Sector of Commercial Real Estate with Modernized Warehouses
Technology is an undeniable factor driving transformation within every industry, including commercial real estate. Change is inevitable and sometimes difficult to accept however, the latest industrial boom due to the expansion of e-commerce sales and faster delivery...
What do we need to provide a budget?
Acquisition Budgets Saunders Construction provides a unique service, budgets for acquisitions! This comes with estimate ranges of low, median and high. There are several factors that affect pricing. Information to submit for a budget may include, leasing plan/tenant...
RETAIL is reinventing itself while INDUSTRIAL is flourishing!
After attending NAIOP’s webinar, The Transformation of Retail and its Direct Influence on Industrial’s Boom featuring Andrea Himmel with Himmel + Meringoff Properties and Jeffrey Rinkov, SIOR, with Lee & Associates, it is clear the commercial real estate landscape...
Roof Condensation: What to Look for?
Roof damage from condensation is one of many structural problems that can occur and if left untreated, this condensation can cause serious structural problems. It is entirely possible to destroy the entire roof structure. What is the specific cause? Moisture!...
Do you know how many earthquakes California has in a SINGLE day?
It is not uncommon for California to experience up to 100 earthquakes per day. Of course, these quakes are small in magnitude and cause little to no damage however it is important to stay alert and prepared. Scientists now use the moment magnitude scale, which...
The “INDUSTRIAL” sector of the commercial real estate industry is in high demand!
Industrial has been one of the most resilient sectors during the COVID-19 crisis, as more people turned to online shopping. According to CBRE, demand for industrial space has exceeded supply for 42 consecutive months now, with net positive absorption of nearly 57...
Is your PML under 20? What does that mean?
According to IRMI (International Risk Management Institute, Inc.), probable maximum loss (PML) is the traditional measure of earthquake loss popularized by the insurance and seismic engineering industry in the 1980s. Historically, the PML is based on a deterministic...
3.6 magnitude quake struck near Angwin, Northern California
The San Francisco Chronicle reported an earthquake west of Lake Berryessa that the U.S. Geological Survey recorded at 3.6 magnitude shortly before sunrise on a Monday morning in late October. This is no surprise given that this area sits between two active fault...
Important Factors to Consider when Hiring A Structural Engineer and Why Costs May Vary
It is time your building needs to be brought up to Life Safety standards and reduction of PML (SEL and SUL now) or for your peace of mind, you determined it is time for a seismic upgrade and/or structural repairs, the first step is to find a structural engineer to...
The Impact on the Industrial Sector of Commercial Real Estate from Covid-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on commercial real estate and, some say more so than the global financial crisis earlier this century. According to real estate economic and research experts, “the pandemic directly impacts the demand for space through...
New Factors in Building Design, Engineering and Construction since Covid-19
It is no surprise building designs are being evaluated closely since the pandemic. The office sector of the commercial real estate industry has been greatly affected by the shutter in place regulations and guidance from CDC to have employees of non-essential...
What are the most common structural repairs?
Structural repairs refer to repairs or replacement to the roof, foundation, floors, and permanent exterior walls and support columns of a building. Some of the most common types of structural repairs include GLB (glulam beam), purlin & sub-purlin, truss and column...
Did you feel the 4.2 Earthquake that rattled Southern California last week?
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacoima area of the San Fernando Valley early Thursday morning of July 30th. It was felt across the Southland with many news stations shaking live on the air. The area shuddered with aftershocks following the quake about five...
Roof Condensation: How does it form and what to look for?
Roof Condensation is moisture that develops at the roof ceiling area and is trapped by foil insulation or other types of radiant barriers. If left untreated, it can destroy the entire roof structure. Moisture rust and decay all metals including hangers, nuts, bolts...
What is one of the major post-pandemic take-aways for the “Industrial” sector of Commercial Real Estate?
It is safe to say the entire commercial real estate industry decelerated as the COVID-19 pandemic set in however, it was brief for industrial real estate. According to several panelists from premier real estate companies at the NAIOP 2020 I.CON Virtual Conference,...
Are there similarities between natural (geologic) disasters and the Covid-19 crisis?
What comes to mind when contemplating geological disasters? The two at the forefront of most peoples’ minds would be volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Although these types of disasters affect vast regions near and far across the planet, we have yet to see a global...
How vulnerable is your soft-story (apartment) building to earthquake damage?
Soft-story apartment buildings are prevalent in Los Angeles and Orange County which are also considered earthquake-prone territories, specifically Los Angeles. Soft-story / apartment buildings are at risk of earthquake damage however; seismic retrofits will help...
The type of building is a major factor in respect to which are most at risk for damage from an earthquake
There are several types of buildings including soft-story, tilt-up, steel moment frame, non-ductile concrete and URM (unreinforced masonry). What are their characteristics and what can be determined are vulnerable when faced with enduring an earthquake? Soft-story...
What does it mean for Californians if a big earthquake hit during the covid-19 shelter in place order?
It is a common theme across the globe. The coronavirus is changing our day-to-day lives. The impact of the pandemic affects different industries in different ways. Earthquake experts are considering the potential for the big one during the Covid-19 outbreak and...
PML-SEL-SUL, what is it and why do we need it?
PML-SEL-SUL What is it and why do we need it? It is a standard of measure and calculations that Lenders, Insurance companies and Risk managers use to determine the damage that would be caused by an earthquake. There are different levels of criteria. Most lenders and...
Seismic Retrofit Scope of work
Seismic Retrofit Scope of work (Typical) Assumptions used in the budget to develop a scope of work Measures that would enhance the building’s performance during due diligence and site investigation for the structure. The proposed retrofit measures would include some...
Qualifications for a Budget
Budgets are just that, budgets. There are many circumstances during the budget process that we do not have enough information to provide an accurate budget. Please use all budgets given with caution as many things can change from concept to final plans and tenant...
The Basics of Concrete Repair
Engineers have learned to make buildings safer in recent decades after years of studying what happens to structures during earthquakes. Concrete is a durable choice, but concrete tilt-up buildings built in the last century pose safety risks. Over time, concrete can...
Building Owners Should Care About Earthquake Retrofitting
Why should a building owner care about earthquake retrofitting services? It depends on how old your building is and how it was built. Knowledge about earthquake safety was not applied to construction until the late twentieth century. Adding steel for reinforcement is...
Understanding Seismic Retrofit in California
Several earthquakes have shaken both San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2019, which is a reminder that old building owners need to consider a seismic retrofit solution for California. Not only is California one of the most vulnerable states for seismic activity, many...
Condensation Issues Can Cost You!
The longevity of a roof structure – whether it’s commercial, industrial or residential – depends on how well it’s maintained, which requires regular inspections. The most important reason for inspections is to check for leaks. Ignoring even...
Earthquake Preparedness Knowledge
Preparing for an earthquake is vital for regions that have a history of seismic activity. A seismic retrofit can ensure the safest environment possible, especially for buildings that were built prior to 1998. Here are important points to raise your awareness on...
Apartment Soft-Story Retrofit
Large complexes with tuck-under parking in which multiple stories are built on top are called “soft-story” buildings. These structures are very vulnerable during an earthquake and should be considered for retrofit, especially if they were built prior to...