Every HOA board eventually faces the same question. Our building has structural concerns, so what do we do now? Learning how to budget for structural repairs early can save your community money, stress, and risk. In this guide, we explain how a reserve study and a structural integrity evaluation work together. We also answer a….
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HOA Reserve Study Update: When Should Your Association Schedule One?
A HOA Reserve Study update helps association boards make informed financial decisions while reducing the likelihood of unexpected special assessments and deferred maintenance. They also provide a more accurate picture of the remaining useful life of common area components and the reserve funding needed to support future capital projects. For many homeowner associations, a Reserve….
Stop Revisiting the Same Reserve Questions Every Budget Cycle
A professionally prepared Reserve Study does far more than estimate future replacement costs. It becomes a long-term planning tool supporting continuity, consistency, and defensible decision-making for property managers, boards, and community associations. Without a structured Reserve Study process, communities often rely on outdated spreadsheets, fragmented records, or institutional knowledge that disappears during board transitions. This….
Charging Forward: Integrating Lithium-Ion Risk into Reserve Studies
Condominium and HOA communities face a shift in risk exposure. Today, lithium-ion batteries power electric vehicles, e-bikes, scooters, tools, and backup power systems. In addition, residents often store and charge these devices in units, common areas, and parking structures. As a result, communities face a new category of risk that traditional planning rarely captures. Reserve….
Reserve Study Services for NYC Local Law 97 and Long-Term Capital Planning
Understanding Local Law 97 Local Law 97 is a New York City regulation intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from many large buildings while advancing stronger energy performance standards across the city’s building stock. For owners, boards, associations, and property managers, the issue often reaches far beyond compliance. At a time when many properties are….
How a Current Reserve Study Helps Prevent Budget Approval Delays
Struggling with a Reserve Study budget approval? Budget approval for community associations often slows when reserve funding questions arise. Board members want confidence capital repairs and replacements have been properly evaluated before approving reserve contributions. Without reliable documentation, discussions can become uncertain and drawn out. A current Reserve Study provides property managers with clear financial….
New Jersey HOA Reserve Studies and Capital Planning at the Start of the Year
As New Jersey community association boards begin a new year, many focus on annual budgets, vendor agreements, and near-term priorities. An important consideration during this planning process is whether the association has a current, well-documented understanding of anticipated capital repairs and replacements specific to its property and location. A Reserve Study is commonly used by….
S3992 New Jersey: 7 Key Changes to S2760 Structural Integrity and Reserve Funding Law
S3992: Amending New Jersey’s S2760 Structural Integrity and Reserve Funding Law The New Jersey Legislative Action Committee (NJ-LAC) announced that Governor Phil Murphy signed Senate Bill No. 3992 (S3992) into law on August 21, 2025. Senator Troy Singleton, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley, and Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy sponsored the bill. It responds….
Engineering Services for NJ and NYC Properties – Structural Evaluations, Reserve Studies, and More
Since 1957, Criterium-Hanna Engineers has evaluated over 850,000 buildings across the country. With a legacy of structural integrity, precision, and compliance, we proudly serve New Jersey, New York City, and surrounding regions with a full spectrum of engineering services tailored to property owners, management companies, HOAs, cooperatives, and legal professionals. Our team of licensed Professional….
How New Jersey Condominium Reserve Studies Can Prevent a Florida-Style Crisis
Florida’s condominium market is experiencing a crisis that’s turning once-desirable communities into high-cost burdens for owners. Exploding insurance premiums, unplanned special assessments, and depreciating property values have created a rush to sell—and a warning sign for condo owners elsewhere. In New Jersey, the same risks are quietly forming. The good news is that proactive planning….