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Buying your own house can be an equally thrilling and overwhelming experience, as there is a lot to consider when making such a significant financial investment. Before closing the deal, it’s crucial to perform your due diligence by making sure a residential building inspection takes place. Completing this building inspection will help you learn more…
What Happens During a Commercial Building Inspection? The primary purpose of a Commercial Building Inspection is to examine the condition of commercial real estate property, determine any current deficiencies and anticipate necessary future maintenance, including projected costs. Those familiar with buying, selling, renting or leasing commercial real estate know a lot of money can be…
There are a variety of assessments and inspections that are completed for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you are buying a home, or running a business, ensuring the property meets established standards protects you as an owner as well as the safety of your employees or residents. For those who think that property inspections…
The effects of climate change pose significant challenges not just to how we live, but where we live. Condo communities in particular face damage from increasingly intense weather events caused by climate change, which includes: Hurricanes Tornados Micro-bursts Wildfires Droughts Heat Waves Flooding Landslides Ice Storms Regardless of where each of us stands on the…
As of January 1st, 2022, a series of changes have come into effect in Ontario related to Ontario’s Building Code. Ontario’s Building Code lays out the requirements for construction, renovation and change of use of buildings. As an important regulation under the Building Code Act, 1992, amendments are generally issued every five years to follow…
We previously discussed updates the province of Ontario saw when it came to its building codes for 2022, but other provinces have been busy making changes too. Case in point: Saskatchewan’s new Construction Codes Act. Let’s dig in. What is the Construction Codes Act? Saskatchewan’s Construction Codes Act (CCA) came into effect January 1st, 2022,…
You might be wondering, what constitutes a condominium. It’s easy to spot the apartment-style or high-rise residences that are the major type of condominiums, we see them all across major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Mississauga. However, the term condominium actually covers many other types of formats. Since the Condominium Act of 1998 was…
In the province of Saskatchewan it is required by law for condominiums with 12 units or more to have a reserve fund and conduct a reserve fund study (RFS). Moreover, it’s mandatory that these condominiums conduct a reserve fund study every five years. If you’re wondering what you need to know about a reserve fund…
When buying a commercial property, it is imperative to ensure you have done proper research and due diligence on the property. It is never a bad idea to get into the real estate market, but it is good to keep in mind that buying a commercial property comes with its risks and rewards! A significant…
Are you looking to purchase, finance, rent, or maintain a commercial real estate building? If so, you may want to learn more about property condition assessments. If you aren’t exactly sure what it is or why it is important, then you’re in the right place! What is a property condition assessment? A Property Condition Assessment…
Purchasing a new home can be an overwhelming and scary process. From big financial decisions and mortgage evaluations to home touring and inspections, there’s a lot that goes into buying a home. Then, there’s the age-old debate of new home vs. existing build. While we love buildings of all shapes, sizes and ages, one of…
Managing a building was never easy, but now during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are faced with a new challenge. You must now learn how to operate your building more effectively to prevent any virus or airborne contaminants. Where do you even begin? Criterium Jansen Engineers are building experts who have evaluated over 750,000 buildings across…
If you own or represent a building that is 50,000 square feet or larger, it’s time to start thinking about writing a report on your building’s energy and water usage for the Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) regulation. The EWRB, first announced in 2016, was designed to improve energy and water efficiency in…
When buying a new home or condominium, it’s easy to sometimes think of the builders and engineers as the bad guys: it’s you vs. them. We’re here to tell you that’s not the case! Criterium Jansen Engineers is a leading consulting engineering company With over 60 affiliate offices throughout North America, we specialize in a…
As a condominium manager, your day to day tasks can get pretty overwhelming. The best thing you can do is eliminate as many problems as possible before they even exist. Whether the condominium is in the design process or a couple of years old, having a trusted building engineer partner is crucial for maintaining your…
From mechanical arms assisting doctors in surgery to drones delivering online shopping packages, technology is quickly transforming how we work in every field. Every industry is maximizing their potential with new and exciting programs and machinery, and the engineering and building inspection sector is no exception. At Criterium Jansen Engineer, we are always reading up…
Condominium property managers, along with condo boards and service contractors, play a big role in keeping condos in peak condition. Condo corporations are responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repairs of anything beyond the boundaries of individual units, which include parking garages, gardens, hallway lights, elevators, swimming pools and more. Why Regular Scheduled Maintenance and…
Inspections are crucial when determining the safety, reliability and soundness of any structure, whether you own it, manage it, rent it, are looking to sell or purchase it. This is especially true when it comes to searching for troubling water leaks that can cause significant problems. As plumbing systems in condominium buildings are largely connected,…
Criterium-Jansen Engineers welcomes James Rammos, who joins our Professional Engineering team today. “Jim’s wealth of experience expands our technical knowledge and services to even better serve our client’s challenges” – Henry Jansen With over 26 years of experience in engineering and building science, project management, and engineering management, James Rammos is dedicated to performing and…
Criterium-Jansen Engineers welcomes Liana Di Ilio, who joined our team this month. “Liana is very detailed oriented. She will become a key resource for keeping our projects on-track” – Henry Jansen As a recent graduate of Carleton University’s Environmental Engineering program, Liana is passionate about our planet, eco-friendly solutions, residential design, life cycle analysis and…
Christian Pavlidis is far from your average civil engineering student minoring in engineering business and sustainable energy; she’s pushing boundaries with experiential learning, is working full time at Criterium-Jansen Engineers, and is already making a name for herself – all before having walked the University of Toronto convocation stage. How is she managing it all?…
While Canada has established some standards for home inspections, the building inspection industry is still largely unregulated in our great nation. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the profound value of hiring a building engineer with the highest level of expertise and credentials. Learn more about building engineers and when to hire them below: What…
A condo manager is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of their building, ensuring everything is in proper working order. Property managers must also supervise staff, perform administrative work, and follow up with condo fees and payments. It’s then not surprising that is no easy task to manage large, high-rise condominium buildings, filled with tenants who…
Have you ever wondered about Tarion Guidelines, processes, and implications to maintenance? In this article, Henry Jansen, President of Criterium-Jansen Engineers, provides a high-level overview of what condo corporations, engineers, and building managers need to be aware of: Background on Tarion Tarion is a third party agency which administers the New Home Warranties Plan Act…
Are you a real estate agent looking for building inspection partners who will help to ensure your homebuyers receive the best and most reliable service? With your reputation on the line during your clients’ buying experience, contact the professionals at Criterium-Jansen for commercial or residential building inspections that are stress-free and guaranteed. Why work consistently…
As with many other industries, the engineering industry has adapted to recruit and provide engaging opportunities for the next generation of great engineering students – millennials. And at Criterium-Jansen Engineers, we’re always looking for passionate young people who are eager to embark on a rewarding and challenging career in building engineering. What does an engineer…
If you live in an apartment or condominium building, one concern you may know all too well is the fear of poor air quality. You may find the air in your building: Dry or stale Smokey Smelly Humid and moist Too hot or too cold Hard to breathe in However, it might bring you some…
Are you freezing in your office all winter long? Are you and your co-workers too hot in the summer? If your air conditioners and heating units are working and set appropriately, but you’re still experiencing these issues, the problem may be an improper building enclosure design. What is a Building Envelope? A building envelope (aka…
Did you know? The Condominium Act, active since 1998, requires that all condominiums have a reserve fund. In addition, it is mandatory that these funds be reviewed and studied every three years to ensure compliance and accuracy. Curious to learn more about reserve funds and the importance of an engineer-inspected reserve fund study? We’ve collected the following insights of…