Five Engineering Do’s and Don’ts Every Board Should Know
One of the most common questions we hear is: “When should an engineer be brought in?”
To help clarify, here are five engineering do’s and don’ts that every board and property manager should keep in mind.
1. DO bring in an engineer when structural repairs are involved
Even small structural repairs often require permits, and permits require an engineer’s involvement and construction documents. In most municipalities, work exceeding a modest dollar threshold (+/-$2,500) or any commercial structural work requires permitting. Life-safety items always fall into this category.
An engineer ensures repairs are properly scoped, code-compliant, and safe—not just cosmetically addressed.
2. DON’T perform structural repairs with in-house maintenance crews
This is more common than many realize. We’ve been called to projects where building staff performed edge repairs supporting railings and other life-safety elements. In one instance, a manager of a 20-story building was having his maintenance crew do column repairs.
Structural components are not maintenance items. Repairs to slabs, edges, columns, beams, or railing supports must be designed and overseen by a licensed engineer. Improper repairs can create serious safety risks, expose the association to liability, and result in failed inspections or costly corrective work later.
3. DO consider bundling repairs
In most cases, it makes far more sense, both financially and practically, to complete repairs at one time. While some boards choose to break projects into multiple phases, that approach almost always increases the overall cost.
Bundling repairs under one contractor improves efficiency, reduces repeated mobilization, and provides clearer accountability. It also allows warranties to be coordinated across the full scope of work rather than fragmented across phases. From both a financial and risk-management standpoint, a single, well-planned repair project is typically the most cost-effective approach.
4. DON’T skimp on or avoid proper repairs
While a 10-year recertification program is now in place, it should not be treated as a substitute for addressing real, observed conditions. We continue to see situations where boards delay action, minimize findings, or seek out the least intrusive repair approach in an effort to reduce short-term costs.
In practice, this often means incomplete repairs, temporary fixes, or postponing necessary work altogether. Aging buildings, environmental exposure, water intrusion, and deferred maintenance can significantly change conditions well before the next recertification cycle.
Avoiding proper repairs does not eliminate risk; it increases it. Incomplete or under-scoped repairs frequently lead to accelerated deterioration, higher long-term costs, compressed timelines, and increased safety and liability exposure. Proactive, properly designed repairs based on sound engineering evaluations remain the safest and most cost-effective approach.
5. DO use yearly engineering evaluations for long-term planning
Having an engineer periodically review your building, whether annually or at regular intervals, provides valuable insight into how the structure and building envelope are performing over time. These evaluations help identify emerging issues early, track deterioration, and prioritize future repairs.
The goal is not to perform major repairs every year. Ideally, well-planned repair cycles occur every seven to ten years. Regular engineering evaluations allow boards to plan those cycles strategically, budget responsibly, and avoid surprises. This proactive approach supports smoother capital planning and reduces the likelihood of emergency repairs or rushed decisions.
Bottom line: Work with engineers who help you plan ahead
When it comes to structural repairs and compliance planning, timing matters. Bringing in an engineer early can help uncover issues sooner, clarify requirements, and reduce costly surprises down the line.
For more than 20 years, United Professional Engineering (UPE) has supported boards and property managers across South Florida with practical guidance, realistic recommendations, and a clear path forward.
If you’re seeing damage, planning repairs, or preparing for future requirements, our team is here to help you evaluate next steps with confidence.
Contact UPE today to discuss your building and long-term planning needs. Call us at (561) 582-1733 or email our team at info@upefl.com to start the conversation.