Reserve studies are invaluable tools for condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations. Used properly, they assist boards and managers to make good decisions for reserve funding with long range planning in view. They also help to plan for near term capital projects. The reserve study provides a basis for a systematic and disciplined approach to reserve funding and capital project planning.

At the same time, I’ve heard too many complaints from clients through the years about accuracy of the data included in their reserve studies. This tends to occur when unpleasant and unplanned realities throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans. I’ve found that either an unrealistic expectation or a poor understanding of the study process are typically at the root of the issue. This series of 3 blogs helps to address the first issue. I’ll provide tips on how to work with your reserve analyst in another blog soon.

What a Reserve Study Is…And Isn’t

Professional reserve studies have two components – a physical analysis and a financial analysis of major property components. The physical analysis helps to estimate the remaining useful life. The financial analysis turns it all into an actionable plan to recommend a funding level that ensures the Association will have enough money in the bank to replace components when needed. For more details, you can review CAI’s National Reserve Study Standards, and the Association of Professional Reserve Analysts Standards of Practice.

Reserve studies are relatively inexpensive as compared to other engineering analyses. There are reasons for that.

• Reserve analysts are by definition generalists engaged for the specific purpose of creating an overall financial plan. They do not undertake the detailed condition reports, basis for design, or specifications that a specialty engineer may create in preparation for a particular capital project.
• Reserve studies do not include destructive testing. No walls will be opened, ground dug up, or other means to get into the details of conditions unseen.
• Reserve analysts are neither omniscient nor clairvoyant, nor do they possess X-ray vision. You’d have to pay a lot more for that!

Throw Me A Bone, Man!

The good news is reserve analysts LOVE data. The more valuable information you can give them, the more they will plug into the study. The better the study, the better your plan.

Here are a few nuggets you should consider feeding to your reserve analyst. Complicated condominiums and cooperatives, especially high rises, are more likely than HOAs to benefit from the additional data points listed in this blog series. Regardless, it’s worth taking the time to consider whether each of the 14 nuggets factor into your association’s reserve plan. I can tell you they’ve either saved my clients a lot of heartburn, or I learned about them because of my clients’ heartburn!

These first 5 nuggets deal largely with building components. The next 2 blogs will address discretional expenses, practical project planning, and approaches to thorny cash flow issues.

1. Engineering Study for Stuff You Can’t See: This could apply to components like waterproofing systems under patios, parking lots, green space, fountains, etc. Without doing destructive testing and taking a look at what is underneath, you may have no idea how much it will cost to design and replace a system you can’t see. You will likely pay far more for this engineering study than you will for the reserve study, but it will be well worth it. One client’s reserve study had estimated system replacement for four garages to be $500K. When it was all said and done they paid about $1.1M…. per garage! The information gleaned from their engineer’s work helped them to prioritize and pay for the project. If they had that information up front and included in their reserve study they could have avoided sticker shock.
2. Elements Impacted by Code Compliance: The typical reserve study assumes like-for-like replacement. However, local code may require a building to upgrade an old system to meet current codes, exponentially increasing the cost of some projects. This is particularly true of fire protection systems and elevators. Getting cost projections from sources familiar with local codes can save you from ugly surprises.
3. Piping Systems: No pipe will live forever. Yet, I have seen common piping systems omitted from reserve studies for whatever reason. Also, determining the remaining useful life of copper piping is easier than ever before thanks to non-invasive technology. Obtaining a pipe condition study for domestic, HVAC and waste piping can provide invaluable data.
4. New Construction Technology: Sometimes new building products or construction techniques can post a challenge until there is a track record of periodic major maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement. Installing contractors, architects or engineers involved in the new construction can sometimes provide some insights to help plan for future projects.
5. Underground Piping and Wiring: This can be a big one for garden communities, especially those built in the 1960s as apartments, and particularly those with central HVAC plants. I don’t always see underground electrical feeds, HVAC piping, or domestic water piping in reserve studies for communities that have these components. Tracing a break or a leak, digging up between buildings to replace a section of wiring or piping and restoring the grounds on an emergency basis is an expensive proposition. It is surprising how much electrical wiring has been laid in the ground without being run through conduit. This can even impact the planning for replacement of light poles. Identify the risk and make a plan to include in the reserve study as needed.

Hard Reality

In some cases, the engineering and design costs outlined in the 5 nuggets above might exceed the cost of your reserve study. But that’s irrelevant. Think about the impact of not having the data. Underfunding by any means is a bad strategy.

When & Who?

In the third and final blog in this series, we’ll identify potential resources and factors that will help the Board to decide when to reach out.

Next…

In next week’s blog, we will discuss data points related to practical considerations when planning for projects. I will again reach back into my bag of experience to find the things that made a huge difference for my clients through the years.