Transitional Study (Developer Turn-Over Report)

Ensuring a Smooth Transition with Ray Engineering Inc.’s Professional Transitional Study.

What is a Transitional Study/Developer Turn-Over Report?

A Transitional Study, also known as a Developer Turn-Over Report, is a critical assessment performed during the handover of control from a developer to a homeowner’s association. This study examines common elements, identifying any design, construction, or code-related issues that could impact the association’s future management and financial well-being. These studies are often performed in conjunction with a Capital Reserve Analysis.

Why Obtain a Transitional Study?

By selecting our Transitional Study services, you’re making a choice that:

Ensures Transparency: Our study provides an unbiased evaluation of the property’s condition, facilitating transparent discussions during the transition process.
Prevents Future Issues: Identifying defects and potential problems early on enables timely remediation, preventing issues from escalating post-transition.
Strengthens Negotiations: Armed with our professional report, your association can negotiate effectively with the developer to address any identified concerns.
Builds Community Confidence: Demonstrating your commitment to thorough due diligence during transition builds trust and confidence among community members.

What’s Included in the Transitional Study?

Our comprehensive Transitional Study includes:

A thorough examination of common elements and shared spaces within the community.
Identification of any design, construction, code violations, or condition defects.
Accurate cost estimates for necessary remediation or repair work.
A detailed report with photographic documentation of identified issues.
Recommendations for remediation and modifications to ensure a smooth transition.

How Does the Study Benefit Homeowner’s Associations?

For homeowner’s associations, our Transitional Study offers:

Strategic Negotiations: Equipped with a detailed report, your association can negotiate from a position of knowledge and ensure a favorable transition.
Long-Term Financial Security: Addressing issues upfront prevents potential financial burdens on the association and its members down the road.
Community Peace of Mind: Demonstrating proactive management reassures new homeowners and fosters community trust.

Ray Engineering, Inc. designed our Property Condition Assessment to determine the present physical condition of the project and its improvements. We help determine any future anticipated issues, which may result in a financial risk or liability.

The PCA process includes:

A visual walk-through to observe the existing conditions.
Review of the available construction documentation, public records and current budgets.
Deciphering the information gathered and presenting it with intelligence for repair or further detailed review if the issues cannot be determined through visual observation alone.

Property Condition Reports contain a property description (site, buildings, history and maintenance) and a review of the following building components:

Site Improvements (Access, Parking, Paving/Drainage, Walks/Curbs, Utilities, Lighting, Landscaping/Irrigation, Fences/Walls, Signage and Disabled Accessibility/ADA).
Building Improvements (Foundation, Structure, Floor Construction, Exterior Wall Construction, Roof and Canopy Construction, Windows, Doors, Balconies/Terraces, Stairs, Interior Floors & Walls and Appliances/Cabinets, Disabled Accessibility/ADA)
Building Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical Systems (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Vertical Transportation, Fire Protection/Life Safety Systems)
Tenant Spaces (Interior Finishes, Kitchen Appliances, HVAC, Plumbing/Fixtures, Electrical, Fire Protection/Life Safety Systems)
Other Issues (e.g., Fixtures, Furnishings and Equipment (FF&E) for hotels, more detailed mechanical studies, more detailed ADA surveys, etc.) — these issues can be included in a property condition report, but must be discussed prior to being proposed.

Department of Community Affairs Projects are ones in which we perform various duties which may include Pre-Construction Analysis, Construction Monitoring, and/or Final Inspections.

Forensic Engineering is essentially the investigation of materials, products or structures that fail or do not operate or function as intended causing personal injury or property damage. The field also deals with retracing the process and procedures leading to accidents or structural failures.

Ray Engineering has performed forensic evaluations for over 30 years in the civil and structural engineering field. We also provide expert testimony in dispute resolution including settlement discussions, mediation arbitration and trial in court.

Typical services include:

Review of plans and specifications to ensure completeness and conformance with current codes and standards.
Cost analysis to ensure construction budgets are sufficient to construct the projects as defined by the contract documents.
Conduct periodic site inspections to monitor construction progress and ensure conformance with plans and specifications.
Monitor construction progress for compliance to plans and specifications and provide a letter of acceptance upon completion of work.
Prepare detailed written reports for all services noted above.

Preparation of design plans and specifications for structural restoration.
Monitoring of the restoration work.
Certification of restoration work.
Review and analyze structural concerns including settlement problems, exterior deck, handrail or walkway problems, roof leaks or problems that could impact the structural integrity of a building.
Evaluate drainage issues and suggest corrective measures.

Commercial/Residential/Office Buildings

The purpose of the Physical Needs Assessment is to identify and provide cost estimates for the following key items:

Immediate Physical Needs – repairs, replacements and significant maintenance items which should be done immediately.
Physical Needs Over the Term – repairs, replacements and significant maintenance items which will be needed over the term of the mortgage and two years beyond.

As part of the process, instances of deferred maintenance are also identified.

The assessment is based on the evaluator’s judgment of the actual condition of the improvements and the expected useful life of those improvements. It is understood that the conclusions presented are based upon the evaluator’s professional judgment and that the actual performance of individual components may vary from a reasonably expected standard and will be affected by circumstances which occur after the date of the evaluation.

A Transition Study or Developer Turn-Over Report is prepared when your community is being turned over to the Home Owner’s Association by the developer. These studies are often performed in conjunction with a Capital Reserve Analysis. The study consists of a thorough inspection of the common elements of the community. The study documents any design, construction, building codes or condition defects. This study, which is conducted by a professional engineer, provides an independent expert opinion on the recommended remediation of the defects along with the estimated costs to remediate the defects.

The goal of the Transition Study is to assist the community in avoiding costly defect litigation by having the defective items corrected by the developer or reach a fair settlement.

The Transition Study includes:

A review of each of the common elements of the community
The condition of each of the common elements and a list of all of the elements that exhibit effects and require remediation, modification or replacement
Cost estimates, including labor and material for the repair or replacement
A detailed narrative report, including photographic documentation, which describes the defect or code violation and recommendations for remediation

Our engineers have the Community Associations Institute designation of Reserve Specialists.

Many associations are putting together budgets for future repairs and replacements of all common elements and this helps assist with that process. The Capital Reserve Analysis includes a review of the property with input from Board Members, Property Manager and Maintenance Supervisor

The Capital Reserve Analysis includes:

Objective
Procedures and Limitations
Property Description and Condition
Estimate of Repairs
Budget
Photographs
Review with Board Members and Property Manager