How does Building Reserves customize a reserve study for each community?

‍Short answer: We do not use a one-size-fits-all or purely generic lifecycle model. Every reserve study is customized based on your community’s actual condition, history, usage, and planning goals.Boards often ask whether reserve studies rely on standard useful-life assumptions. While industry standards provide baseline reference ranges, Building Reserves goes well beyond generic assumptions by performing a detailed, property-specific investigation and condition assessment for every community.How our customized reserve study process works

Our reserve studies are built on a three‑pronged property investigation designed to capture how your community actually operates — not just how it was originally designed.

• Collaborative kickoff conversations – We meet with key people involved in the community, including board members, community leaders, and/or management, to understand goals, known concerns, and historical context.
  
• Document and financial review – We review available documentation and financials to understand prior repairs, replacements, maintenance practices, and how operating and reserve funds have been spent on specific components.
  
• On‑site visual inspections – Our in‑house team conducts a detailed on‑site inspection of common‑area components, supported by inspection notes and photo documentation.
  

When determining when a component should be repaired or replaced, we evaluate multiple factors together, including:

• Current component condition – overall condition as well as isolated areas of deterioration observed during inspection
  
• Component history – known issues, prior repairs, preventive maintenance practices, documented upgrades, and spending history
  
• Verified component age – based on records and observed conditions, not assumed timelines
  
• Component usage intensity – how frequently and heavily assets are used (such as garage door operators, elevators, fitness equipment)
  
• Environmental and operational factors – site‑specific conditions that affect longevity
  
• Component dependency and concurrency – identifying components that are functionally connected or best addressed together (for example, coordinating roof replacement with gutters and downspouts) to improve efficiency, safety, and cost control
  
• Priority rating using our Property Matrix – each component is evaluated using a proprietary matrix that considers both physical condition and impact on safety and livability, helping boards clearly understand what matters most and why
  

Why this matters for boards and managersBy evaluating these factors collectively, we ensure that:

• Components that have already been upgraded or well-maintained are not automatically carried forward based on generic timelines
  
• Replacement timing reflects real-world conditions, not averages
  
• Funding recommendations are defensible, transparent, and practical for decision-making
  

The result is a reserve study that reflects your community’s unique physical condition and history, rather than a standardized template. This approach helps boards plan proactively, reduce surprises, and make confident long-term funding decisions.