The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4 - (Page 17)

discussion. You will be doing your neigh4) Keep the membership informed of transparent and accurate in their reserve bors and yourself the biggest long-term any indices that may affect the botdisclosures, but it still comes down to favor you can possibly do – getting the tom line, such as rising oil prices, looking at physical plant maintenance in association in good physical and fiscal environmental factors, and so on. a holistic fashion – not the ‘crisis-managehealth. ■ So – now you’re at the threshold. ment’ model that has become endemic. Remember – no decision is still a deciHere are some steps that boards can take Rolf Crocker, AMS, CCAM is Vice sion. The sooner you embrace and exto answer Question #3: President with Associa, a national manageplore your options, the quicker you can 1) Have a current, accurate reserve ment company with 80-member offices coastget this chapter of the association’s life study. California Civil Code requires to-coast. He is Past President of the CAI in your rear view mirror. It is not easy, that these studies be compiled every BayCen Chapter and serves as a facilitator fun, nor popular. However, in this area, three years and updated annually. and trainer of industry professionals and voltime is not your friend. Take the bull However, it’s important to rememunteers nationwide. by the proverbial horns and initiate the ber that a reserve study is a funding model, not a repair model. This means that a reserve study preparer will use estimating tools to arrive at the dollar figures, but it’s more important to use real-world numbers, such as prior actual costs for replacement, as a baseline. Estimating tools don’t always take into account factors such as site conditions, micro-climates or the application of a product subsequently found to be less-than-advertised in their ‘Useful Life’ ratings. 2) Have the ‘intestinal fortitude’ to fund the reserves at appropriate levels, and not keep the assessments artificially low so you won’t have to hear about the next assessment increase from Jane or Jack at the mailbox or pool. 3) Do not skimp on preventive maintenance. In fact, SB 800 (chaptered as Title 7 in California Civil Code) requires that all new con395803_AssociationReserves.indd 1 8/27/08 8:55:41 PM struction after Jan. 1, 2003, have maintenance manuals given to the association and that the common area components be maintained according to the published standard. Failure to do so becomes an I can help you make sure affirmative defense for the conyour coverage is up-to-date. Call me today. tractor in the event of a construction defect action. Often times, physical plant maintenance is neglected in light of weightier issues, such as Mrs. Brown’s barking dog. Rhetorical statements aside, we are Serving the community for over 20 years Dean Shibler ultimately charged with protecting, Insurance Agent maintaining and enhancing the 6852 Pacific Avenue Stockton asset – the physical plant. We are DeanShibler@allstate.com CA Lic: 0834515 not charged with being behavioral control specialists. It’s important to Insurance subject to availability and qualifications.Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Northbrook, Illinois © 2007 Allstate Insurance Company. recognize the distinction and act accordingly. Still The Nation’s Leading Provider of Reserve Studies (800) 573-0606 363822_Confidence.indd 1 The Communicator11:10:29 PM 1/9/08 • 17 http://www.reservestudy.com http://www.allstate.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4 Contents President’s Message The Art of Maintenance Deferred Maintenance – What Do We Do Now? What’s New in Paint Products and Building Materials 2008/2009 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 4

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