Saunders Construction Blog
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
What is the buzz in the Industrial sector of Commercial Real Estate?
Ever since the pandemic which was the primary factor that brought about hybrid and work-from-home flexibility companies have been relying on special resources and building amenities to lure employee back to the office. However, industrial and warehouse building...
Structural Risks to Commercial Buildings in Extreme Heat
Summer has just begun, and according to recent news outlets, millions of people and structures across the country are experiencing severe weather, including thunderstorms and a deadly heat wave sweeping the South. Just as the heat takes a major toll on us, extreme...
Saunders Proud Sponsor of SEAOSC Technical Summit & President’s Luncheon
SEAOSC Technical Summit took place on June 22nd this year and the focus was on three important topics that are defining the current landscape of structural engineering and seismic safety. The philosophy of Functional Recovery which the industry codes are shifting...
Seamless Seismic Retrofits for Occupied Buildings
Performing seismic retrofits on a building can be a daunting project for commercial building owners and real estate professionals. Then, add to the mix that the building is occupied by tenant(s) operating thriving businesses. It is important to perform annual building...
Will AI (Artificial Intelligence) Impact the Construction Industry?
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is expected to play an increasingly significant role in the future. So yes, AI is expected to have a major impact on every industry including the construction industry. One of the key areas where AI is being used in construction is in...
What are the main methods of seismic strengthening in soft-story buildings? (Multi-family Commercial Real Estate Sector)
A soft-story retrofit refers to a building that is a multi-story structure built with a first floor that is open in nature, much less rigid than the floors above. For example, multi-family apartment buildings with tuck-under parking or subterranean parking and retail...
What is the future for the office sector in commercial real estate?
Office assets have been a sure thing in commercial real estate for a long time and considered a reliable source of revenue for owners and lenders. However, since the pandemic the future of the office sector in commercial real estate is unclear. While industrial assets...
Does Your Area Have Hazard-Resistant Building Codes?
HAZARD-RESISTANT building codes are designed for buildings to be constructed to withstand earthquakes, flooding, and high winds. According to FEMA, they conducted an analysis based on 18 million actual buildings, the frequency of hazard events in each area and the...
10 Insights from I.CON West 2023
The 2023 I.CON West conference brought together industry leaders to explore the latest trends and challenges shaping the U.S. industrial market, from labor and supply chain issues to sustainability and advanced manufacturing. 10 Key Takeaways from I.CON West 2023: The...
Important Factors to Consider when Deciding on a Structural Engineer
Your building needs to be brought up to Life Safety standards and reduction of PML (SEL and SUL now) for your peace of mind. It is time for a seismic upgrade and/or structural repairs. The first step is to find a structural engineer to complete the designs. There are...
Do you have a PML rating for your commercial real estate assets? What is PML?
PML or Probable Maximum Loss is a term the insurance industry created decades ago to reference the maximum loss an insurance company should expect to pay for a claim based on the seismic assessment of a property / building. PML, SEL and SUL are defined below. Due to...
Join Our Webinar: Earthquake Retrofits for Industrial Assets
NAIOP will be hosting a webinar featuring Steven Saunders Date: Tuesday, March 14th 2023 Time: 11:00 AM (PDT) – 45 minutes Topic: Earthquake Retrofits for Industrial Assets NAIOP Members – FREE Non-members – $49 Register Here The webinar will have a plethora of...
Is the West Coast Prepared for the Next Big Earthquake?
Experts predict the West Coast should be prepared for the next big earthquake to hit very soon, as early as tomorrow! Are you ready? Mid-December of 2022, USA Today released the article, ‘It could happen tomorrow’: Experts know disaster upon disaster looms...
2023 Commercial Real Estate Outlook
There is a lot of speculation regarding a recession on the horizon in 2023. If true, high interest rates and a potential recession will make 2023 a challenging year for commercial real estate. The top factors in 2023 to influence commercial real estate are...
Common Structural Repairs
Structural repairs consist of any repairs to structural members of a building. Structural repairs mean repairs or replacement to the roof, foundation, floors, and permanent exterior walls and support columns of the building. The repairs can be made on any type of...
Structural Engineers Association Southern (SRAOSC) California Risky Business Breakfast
Saunders Construction took advantage of the opportunity to sponsor the “Risky Business Breakfast” hosted by SEAOSC. The morning discussion focused on risk management and protecting the future of engineers’ careers. The speakers consisted of Jeff Crosier (Senior...
Seismic Retrofit Budgeting for Buyers and Sellers
Saunders Seismic provides project budgets for acquisitions! Budgets come with estimate ranges of low, median, and high with many factors that affect pricing. Information to submit for a budget may include, leasing plan/tenant leasing plan (this helps determine access...
Did you take part in the “Great California Shakeout?”
Are you familiar with International ShakeOut Day? It is where you have a one-minute earthquake drill to prepare for proper emergency protocols during an earthquake and it takes place the third Thursday every October. This year the International ShakeOut Day was...
Soft-Story Ordinances: What Property Owners Need to Know
A soft-story building is a multi-story structure with a first floor that is open in nature and much less rigid (soft) than the floors above. Many examples of soft-story buildings exist, including multi-family apartment buildings with tuck-under or subterranean...
New Findings on Major California Coast Fault Line
After reviewing the seismic risks specific to California last month, there are new findings regarding the fault along the LA/ OC coast known as the Palos Verdes fault zone. According to scientists at Harvard University, this fault was previously thought to be a...
California Seismic Risk – Real Estate Assets & Earthquakes!
When people think of earthquakes, the first place that comes to mind is “California!” Therefore, the threats and risks associated with earthquakes have been a longtime hazard to Californians. In fact, California alone holds two-thirds of the nation’s entire earthquake...
Saunders Construction & Guardian Fall Protection Annual Safety Training
It is always an eventful day when Saunders Construction and Guardian Fall Protection meet up for a day of safety training. The day consisted of several trainings including: Safety Orientation Full Body Harnesses Boom Lift / Forklift / Scissor Lift Saunders...
Understanding Roof Condensation Risks During Record Heat Waves
The recent record-breaking heat in the Pacific Northwest has intensified the strain on building structures, with roof condensation emerging as a significant risk. This moisture, formed when warmer air cools rapidly, can become trapped under insulation, leading to...
Industrial Real Estate: Shifting Focus from Logistics to Data Centers?
Industrial is KING has been the overall theme in commercial real estate since the pandemic sent the e-commerce industry into overdrive, and the demand for warehouses/ distribution centers skyrocketed. However, it seems the industry giant Amazon is sending a message as...
The Added-Value in our Seismic Retrofit Projects is the Pre-construction Plan or Phase!
We specialize in seismic solutions and provide efficient services from start to finish on each and every project. Our estimating bids set the standard being precise, detailed and technical with our specialized processes down to the phase of the final daily routine...
Does Your Soft-Story Building Need a Balcony Inspection? What is the Balcony Inspection Bill?
SB 721, Hill. Building standards: decks and balconies: Inspection for apartments not an HOA or condominium. The issue is the scope (or extent) of the inspection is not clearly defined in the ordinance. Saunders Construction is working with engineers and state...
Types of Buildings & Seismic Retrofits – Which Buildings Are High Risk for Seismic Activity?
Below is a description of each type of building and which ones are the most vulnerable of concrete tilt-up, URM (unreinforced masonry), non-ductile, steel frame and soft-story. Concrete Tilt- up buildings have limited or weak connections from the roof to walls and...
Is Vertical Expansion the Future of Industrial Buildings?
The industrial boom is still in full effect and does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The strong demand for industrial space coupled with limited land supply in some areas is stirring up the commercial real estate industry; developers and owners are looking...
What are 6-Major Benefits to performing seismic retrofits?
It is undeniable a big earthquake is forecasted to hit California and potentially in the next 30-years so what are other major benefits besides being prepared to performing seismic retrofits on your real estate assets? 6-Major Benefits of Seismic Retrofits Mitigate...
Is the West Coast Ready for the Next Big Earthquake?
Experts predict the West Coast should be prepared for the next big earthquake to hit very soon, as early as tomorrow! Are you ready? According to USA Today, “Scientists say a massive quake could strike the San Francisco Bay Area at any moment. And when it does, the...