stay up-to-date
with our construction consulting blog

Roofs, like all other components of the building envelope, need inspections on a routine basis. We would like to offer some general direction to help building owners and facility managers perform routine roof inspections.   zumBrunnen has found that it is practical to budget a capital expense on a 5-year cycle for roofing system tune-ups, minor […]

As they say in the movies and on television: “The following is based on a true story.  The names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.” Of course, in the case of this story, it is really an amalgam of a number of stories and incidents we have heard throughout our 35 years.  […]

The answer depends on how and where they were installed. In multi-family environments, we frequently see outdoor condensing units installed too close together. Condensing units and heat pumps should have an ample amount of free air space around each unit to facilitate heat rejection – the technical term for the discharge of heat that is […]

Transition Report & Capital Reserve Study  Versus a Property Condition Assessment Report When dealing with homeowner associations (HOAs) and property managers for residential communities, condos, etc., we often get requests to provide a Property Condition Assessment (PCA).  However, the PCA really isn’t the right product to address the unique reporting needs of HOA’s and property […]

Deferring maintenance can lead to a “breakdown event” and can easily escalate to a mind-blowing 15:1 ratio or even exceed a 40:1 ratio in terms of cost.   The senior living industry is now an established marketplace with facilities of all ages to manage. Older buildings constructed decades ago present challenges very different than those experienced with […]

Sometimes, seemingly small errors result in problems that are surprisingly expensive to correct.  In the work we do, conducting thousands of facility assessments, one of the most common yet easily avoided problems we see is improper placement of ground cover landscape soil and mulch. Pine straw and other mulch products are used around the perimeter […]

When it comes to energy performance studies in complex facilities like campuses, large multi-family communities, hospitals, or commercial complexes your average operations department might not be fully equipped for the task. But don’t worry – most of the tools you need are easily accessible and user-friendly. Infrared cameras, for instance, aren’t just for spotting heat […]

Is It Necessary To Fully Fund Depreciation? Often when providing Reserve Studies we are asked, “When funding replacement reserves, should we adopt a Fully Funded Plan (funding accumulated depreciation) or is a Threshold Funding Plan (based on a cash flow analysis with a contingency) adequate?” Before beginning this discussion, please understand that funding plan selection […]

As the leader of a senior living community, you are constantly balancing resident satisfaction, operational efficiency, and careful budgeting so when it comes time to renovate common spaces and corridors, it’s important to take a strategic approach that minimizes costs while ensuring high-quality living conditions for your residents. Senior living facilities regularly plan upgrades to […]

For over three decades, zumBrunnen, Inc. has been the trusted partner for discerning investors in the multi-family facility industry. Their reputation is built on delivering unbiased, professional guidance that ensures project success, budget adherence and investor satisfaction. This is a recent collaboration with Origin Investments that highlights the value zumBrunnen brings to the table. Ken […]

Conduct Perimeter Check Twice a Year by Daniel J. Williams, Senior Project Manager, zumBrunnen, Inc. Ben Franklin coined the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As independent building consultants, we subscribe to that theory and advise clients on ways to PREVENT maintenance problems before they occur.  Unfortunately, we are often […]

By Rob Milam, CEO, zumBrunnen, Inc. Decisions to replace capital budget items are often based on your company’s business model or objectives along with other drivers.  These may include available funds, competition, changing demographics, efficiency, obsolescence, and failure, to list a few.  Since business models and objectives will vary greatly from facility to facility, it […]

by Daniel J. Williams, Senior Project Manager, zumBrunnen, Inc. Water penetration is a building’s worst enemy. Stucco, exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS), concrete, and masonry are prone to cracking in climates with extreme temperature changes, and if water penetrates these cracks, serious and costly repairs often result. One great preventative maintenance product for exterior stucco, […]

This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of different types of funding plans, and it is the second half of a two-part article. For additional background information, please see the first article: Reserve Study Best Practices & the Most Common Omission in Forecasting. Many reserve study consultants recommend a fully funded plan, but there are […]

Managing a large-scale construction project can be incredibly challenging as there are so many moving parts involved.  In order to get your project to the finish line, you must juggle responsibilities such as meeting with contractors, obtaining permits, controlling costs, coordinating work at various job sites, and mitigating risks to workers. As you might imagine, […]

If your project financing includes banking with a commercial real estate lender, chances are your lender will require the services of a bank inspector. The borrower, though, give consideration to partnering in this requirement and hire an independent (third-party) construction consultant as a construction monitor instead. A most important distinction to recognize between a construction […]

As a leader in a religious school, you understand the importance of nurturing not just the spirit and mind, but also the body. Athletic facilities play a crucial role in this holistic approach to education. However, undertaking such projects comes with unique challenges that require careful consideration and planning. The Complexity of Athletic Facility Projects: […]

Can you confidently predict what the next 20 years of capital needs at your facility? Are you positioned to avoid catastrophic failures? Can you absorb the costs of surprise capital replacements? A firm grasp on long-term capital needs is critical for setting budgets, establishing minimum revenue needs, and planning capital replacements. An understanding of these […]

Role of Construction Consultant What is a Construction Consultant?: A Construction Consultant monitors a construction project & provides objective reports to the client. Jump To:  What is a Construction Consultant? Construction Consultant vs. Bank Inspector Developers’ and Equity Partners’ Perspective Centro Ybor in Tampa, FL. Lender’s Perspective Contractor Reactions Return on Investment Location, Location, Location. [...]

Improve Building Efficiency and Performance – Building Envelope Systems The term “building envelope” refers to all of the elements of the outer shell of a building that maintain a dry, heated, and cooled indoor environment and facilitate climate control. The following recommendations to improve overall energy efficiency can be implemented during capital replacement of older […]

Can you accurately estimate the useful life of your rooftop HVAC unit? How about your windows? Your roof? Chiller? Sanitary waste pipe? Asphalt parking lot? THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES. The Useful Life of an asset or a building component isn’t simply a measure of how long an item can last. A proper estimate of […]

The annual budgeting process is a critical step in managing your facilities and strategic planning. Here are the questions that should be answered before finalizing your annual and 20-year budgets. Are you planning changes in services that may affect building systems or equipment needs? Are any critical warranties provided by a developer, contractor, or major […]

When was the last time you took a hard look at the condition of your facility’s major systems and assets? Roofs, HVAC units, parking lots and other key components all have a limited usable lifespan. Ignoring that reality can lead to disastrous consequences down the road. Proper planning, however, ensures that you have the assets […]

Window installation is an important component of construction that demands careful attention to ensure both the durability and energy efficiency of the building. In “Window Installation Done Right,” Rob Moody highlights best practices and common missteps in window installation. He found that despite the critical role windows play in protecting a structure from the elements, many builders failed to integrate them properly with house wrap and flashing, leading to moisture problems and compromised structural integrity.

When asked about budgeting practices, surprisingly most managers report they typically develop only 1-year budgets, approximately 20-30 percent do 5-year budgets and less than 10 percent do 20-year budgets.  The most common reasons quoted are:  “We do not see value in budgeting beyond five years.” “We do not have the time, dollars, or the expertise […]

Physical space is critically important to the people living and working there. Across sectors like healthcare, education, religious institutions, and housing services, the built environment plays a dual role – ensuring safe service delivery to clients while serving as a critical asset for client/staff attraction and retention. Maintaining functional, aesthetically pleasing facilities is more important […]

In this blog post… What is a Property Condition Assessment Report (PCA)? What does a PCA entail? Transition Report & Reserve Study vs. The Property Condition Assessment Report What Types of Additional Property Reports Are Available? Property Condition Assessment Report vs. Facility Condition Assessment Which Property Condition Assessment Report Do I Need? Why Obtain a […]

Being involved in a large-scale construction project can be incredibly exciting and has the potential to translate into major profits…

It is vital that you select the right HOA reserve study provider. Choose wrong, and the financial consequences may be severe…

Accounting for owner’s hard costs is obvious to sophisticated owners, but the more difficult question is: “How much is enough?”

Construction loan monitoring is the best way to keep borrowers, lenders, investors, and developers on top of their construction projects.

Like most business sectors, the US construction industry has undergone significant change in the past 18 months as the fallout of the pandemic impacts supply chains, the availability of workers, and virtually every aspect of the typical construction project. The changing landscape will affect developers, borrowers, lenders, investors, and homebuyers alike. However, a little insight […]

Ben Franklin coined the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As independent building consultants, we subscribe to that theory and advise clients on ways to PREVENT maintenance problems before they occur. Unfortunately, we are often called in to fix issues after they have happened, which is always more costly. As […]

Effective capital replacement planning requires that a facility prioritizes its capital replacement spending, using its business model and business objectives as guidelines. With sufficient financial underwriting, facilities have the ability to proactively plan for capital replacement. Decisions to replace systems and materials may be based on drivers such as the competition in a saturated market […]

zumBrunnen, Inc., founded in 1989, is an independent building consulting firm serving a diverse base of national clients. The firm has developed unique, industry-specific building consulting services bringing cost-savings to existing facilities and start-up, expansion and renovation projects. The company’s construction consulting services help mitigate poor construction, project overruns, contract disputes and non-compliant construction. These […]

Large, multi-site senior living organizations and small, single-site facilities alike have had to tighten their belts as they try to remain on an even keel. For many, declining revenues have resulted in delayed building repairs, deferred equipment replacements, and shelved maintenance innovations—any or all of which can cause even bigger problems down the road. So [...]

During this difficult time for the real estate industry, Atlanta-based zumBrunnen, Inc., a national construction and property services consulting firm, is helping owners, developers and investors meet their objectives. President and Founder John zumBrunnen describes his company’s philosophy, Build it Right/Manage it Right, this way: “We provide customized solutions for every client and every project, […]

Longwood at Oakmont is a non-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania, 13 miles from downtown Pittsburgh. By early 1997, the seven year-old facility was ready for the Phase III expansion. This expansion would include a 75-unit three-story apartment building, an Alzheimer’s wing in the Health Center, a new 30-unit assisted […]

It is time. The financial package is in place, the building permits are displayed, and the contractor is on site ready to break ground. Most importantly, you are confident of your facility’s long term success. Even the market analysis indicates that this project will prosper from startup through the next 50 years. So you have […]

An effective strategic capital replacement plan requires that a facility owner consider their business model and objectives as primary guidelines in the process.  Decisions to replace capital budget items are often based on your business model or objectives in conjunction with other drivers.  These may include available funds, competition, changing demographics, efficiency, obsolescence, and failure, […]

In my last newsletter article, I discussed the new trends in energy codes, conservation requirements and required benchmarking reporting for both new construction and existing buildings. I stated future articles would explore energy savings initiatives that owners could take right now as part of their normal operating procedures and capital replacement plans.  These initiatives are […]

In my newsletter articles this year, we have been discussing new trends in energy codes along with energy-saving initiatives that Owners could take right now as part of their normal operating procedures and capital replacement plans.  The last article focused on retro and recommissioning of HVAC systems to correct poor performance of equipment and controls.  […]

If your project financing includes banking with a commercial real estate lender, chances are your lender will require the services of a bank inspector.  The borrower may have some say in this matter as to whom this will be.  As an alternative, borrowers and lenders should give consideration to partnering in this requirement and hire […]

In my previous “Construction Monitors” article, I promised to discuss the perspective of the developer (owner/borrower) and equity partners for hiring an independent third-party construction consultant to monitor their development projects. Most often, this third-party consultant can also be approved by the construction lender to fulfill the lender’s requirement for their own bank inspector.  As […]

Remember as a child when your allowance never seemed to be enough?  Isn’t it ironic that capital expense replacement budgets are much like your allowance?  These budgets often come up short and are often established by others. The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way.  Using long-term budget forecasting tools, management can […]

This white paper outlines best practices for the successful asset management of real property including buildings, grounds, furnishings and equipment. Whether you manage a single property, multiple buildings or a portfolio of real estate holdings, the proper management of these assets is critical to your success. Download this free white paper to learn about best […]

Whether your business is providing health care, education, spiritual guidance or some form of housing services, your buildings not only provide a safe environment in which to provide services, but also serve as valuable assets in attracting and retaining the people you serve and those you employ. Ensuring facilities are efficient, attractive and well-maintained is […]

Whether you manage a single property, multiple buildings or a portfolio of real estate holdings, the proper management of real property is critical to your success. It is imperative to have an effective asset management plan in place as part of your comprehensive capital planning process. This is a very simplified overview of a complex […]

The annual budgeting process is a critical step in managing your facilities and strategic planning. We have developed a list of questions that should be answered before finalizing your annual and 20-year budgets. Are you planning changes in services that may affect building systems or equipment needs? Are any critical warranties provided by a developer, […]

Introduction: This paper focuses on the fundamentals of a replacement-reserve study and reserve funding plan (Reserve Study). Discussions are based on nationally accepted standards, most specifically National Reserve Study Standards (NRSS). The best practice in executing a Reserve Study is to first identify immediate and long-term needs by commissioning a comprehensive facility assessment of all […]

Lenders, Developers, and Investors Partnering Together When lenders and borrowers involved in development projects team up to hire a construction consultant, the entire project team-equity investors, lenders, developers, borrowers, architects, and contractors included-share in the benefits. During construction, the independent consultant’s function is to provide due diligence, monitoring the project on a monthly basis and [...]

zumBrunnen, Inc., Building Consultants to Senior Living Communities, Exhibiting at 2019 LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with reserve studies, capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized services. They will be exhibiting at booth #1217 at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting. […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen help all types of clients make smart business decisions about their buildings, grounds and facilities. They are pleased to announce the addition of James Dixson as a Senior Project Manager. Atlanta, GA, October 8, 2019 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of […]

Can you  accurately estimate the useful life of your rooftop HVAC unit? How about your windows? Your roof? Chiller?  Sanitary waste pipe? Asphalt parking lot? YES you can. The Useful Life of an asset or a building component is not simply a measure of how long an item can last. It is a subjective measure […]

Doug McMillan, President of zumBrunnen, Inc., Presenting Educational Session at 2020 LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting & Expo The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with reserve studies, capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring, and other specialized services. zumBrunnen’s President, Doug McMillan, will be presenting an educational session about Strategic […]

zumBrunnen, Inc. Announces 34 New Commissions for their Building-Related Services The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce 34 new commissions for their capital planning, reserve studies, facility assessments, construction consulting, and other specialized building-related services. zumBrunnen helps all types of clients make smart business decisions about their buildings, grounds, and facilities. […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce 50 new commissions for their capital planning, reserve studies, facility assessments, construction consulting and other specialized building-related services. zumBrunnen helps all types of clients make smart business decisions about their buildings, grounds and facilities. Atlanta, GA, August 27, 2019 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building […]

zumBrunnen, Inc. Co-Presenting Educational Session at 2019 LeadingAge Pennsylvania Annual Conference Doug McMillan is co-presenting an educational session about Strategic Capital Planning at the LeadingAge Pennsylvania Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The conference is being held June 19-21, 2019 […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized building-related services. Doug McMillan is co-presenting an educational session about Capital Reserve Budget Planning at the LeadingAge Washington Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting […]

The building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with reserve studies, property condition assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized services. Firm representatives will be exhibiting at booth #70 at this year’s LeadingAge NC Conference being held in Myrtle Beach, SC. Atlanta, GA, April 30, 2019 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, […]

zumBrunnen, Inc., Building Consultants to Senior Living Communities, Presenting Session at 2019 LeadingAge Georgia Maintenance Professionals Symposium The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized services. Doug McMillan is presenting an educational session about Preventative Maintenance at the LeadingAge GA […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen help a broad range of clients make smart business decisions about their facilities. They are pleased to announce numerous new projects for reserve studies, construction monitoring and other specialized building-related services. Atlanta, GA, January 15, 2019 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce 28 new […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with reserve studies, capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized services. They will be presenting an educational session and exhibiting at booth #2308 at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA – October 25, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, [...]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce numerous new commissions for their capital planning, reserve studies, facility assessments, construction consulting and other specialized building-related services. zumBrunnen helps all types of clients make smart business decisions about their buildings and facilities. Atlanta, GA, Oct. 3, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting […]

Please join us in wishing Doug McMillan a very happy 20th work anniversary. Doug joined zumBrunnen in October 1998, and he has been a driving force in the company’s success over the years. “We are delighted to recognize Doug for 20 years of incredible service to the firm,” said John zumBrunnen, founder of the company. “It […]

Atlanta, GA, August 1, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc. is an independent building consulting firm established in 1989 by John zumBrunnen. With a solid succession plan for continued growth, the ownership of the company is being transitioned from John zumBrunnen to James Robert (Rob) Milam, Jr. who has been with the firm since 2013. Milam has 25 […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts at helping healthcare providers maximize the value of their facilities. They are co-presenting an educational session at this year’s NC Healthcare Engineers Association Annual Meeting. Charlotte, NC – July 31, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational session at the North Carolina [...]

Atlanta, GA, July 10, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Justin Rider as a Senior Project Manager with the firm. Rider brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry to the team. Rider has a broad base of pre-construction and project management skills encompassing […]

zumBrunnen, Inc. Announces 20 New Commissions for their Building-Related Services  The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen help a broad range of clients make smart business decisions about their facilities. They are pleased to announce numerous new projects for reserve studies, construction consulting and other specialized building-related services. Atlanta, GA, June 26, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an […]

In order to prosper and grow in today’s marketplace, educational and religious institutions must not only educate the mind and capture the heart, but also build the body and entertain.  Athletic facilities are an ideal venue to train and strengthen the body and provide entertainment value through sporting events.  Today’s progressive schools and churches have [...]

The annual budgeting process is a critical step in managing your facilities and strategic planning. We have developed a list of questions that should be answered before finalizing your annual and 20-year budgets. Are you planning changes in services that may affect building systems or equipment needs? Are any critical warranties provided by a developer, [...]

Atlanta, GA, April 4, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the LeadingAge Georgia/South Carolina Annual Conference on Aging & Exposition being held April 17 – 19, 2018 in Greenville, SC. Representatives from zumBrunnen will be available to answer questions about reserve studies, facility condition assessments, capital replacement planning, construction monitoring […]

Whether your business is providing health care, education, spiritual guidance or some form of housing services, your buildings not only provide a safe environment in which to provide services, but also serve as valuable assets in attracting and retaining the people you serve and those you employ. Ensuring facilities are efficient, attractive and well-maintained is [...]

zumBrunnen assists all types of clients in making smart business decisions about their buildings and facilities. They are pleased to announce numerous new projects for capital replacement planning, facility condition assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized facility-related services.  Atlanta, GA, March 28, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent […]

Whether you manage a single property, multiple buildings or a portfolio of real estate holdings, the proper management of real property is critical to your success. It is imperative to have an effective asset management plan in place as part of your comprehensive capital planning process. This is a very simplified overview of a complex [...]

Learn how fraudsters posing as a construction company fleeced a client for almost $2 million! If your company regularly pays vendors with wire transfer payments, be on the lookout for sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams designed to get funds wired to the wrong accounts! https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article196484239.html

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce numerous new commissions for their capital planning, reserve studies, facility assessments, construction consulting and other specialized building-related services. They assist all types of clients in making smart business decisions about their facilities. Atlanta, GA, January 10, 2018 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, […]

It’s been a long, hot summer for much of the country. As the calendar turns to September, fall is here, and before you know it, the winter weather will be here, too. For some, this means wet, wintery conditions, and for others farther north, it means snow and ice. Wherever you are in the country, […]

zumBrunnen’s reports make real estate transactions easier. They tailor their reports to focus on key issues and help us clearly define the most important problems. Their reports give us credibility to better negotiate with sellers, which is critical in today’s real estate market.” Yates Dunaway, Vice President Acquisitions, TriBridge Residential Challenges – TriBridge Residential is a […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in assisting senior living communities with reserve studies, capital needs budgets, facility assessments, construction monitoring and other specialized services. Firm representatives will be exhibiting at booth #603 at this year’s LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Exposition in New Orleans, LA. Atlanta, GA, October 25, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce numerous new commissions for their capital replacement budgeting, construction monitoring, facility assessments and other specialized building-related services. They assist all types of clients in making smart business decisions about their facilities. Atlanta, GA, October 10, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is […]

he independent building consultants at zumBrunnen are experts in helping senior living communities maximize the value of their facilities. They are presenting an educational session and exhibiting at this year’s LeadingAge FL Convention being held in ChampionsGate, FL. Atlanta, GA – July 13, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational […]

The independent building consultants at zumBrunnen, Inc. are pleased to announce numerous new commissions for their construction monitoring, facility assessments, capital replacement budgeting and other specialized building-related services. They assist all types of clients in making smart business decisions about their facilities. Atlanta, GA, June 27, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is […]

In my previous “Construction Monitors” article, I promised to discuss the perspective of the developer (owner/borrower) and equity partners for hiring an independent third-party construction consultant to monitor their development projects. Most often, this third-party consultant can also be approved by the construction lender to fulfill the lender’s requirement for their own bank inspector. As noted in [...]

Atlanta, GA – March 22, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Annual Conference & Expo being held March 27-29, 2017 in Hilton Head, SC. Representatives from zumBrunnen will also be available in the expo area to answer questions about facility condition […]

If your project financing includes banking with a commercial real estate lender, chances are your lender will require the services of a bank inspector.  The borrower may have some say in this matter as to whom this will be.  As an alternative, borrowers and lenders should give consideration to partnering in this requirement and hire [...]

In my newsletter articles this year, we have been discussing new trends in energy codes along with energy-saving initiatives that Owners could take right now as part of their normal operating procedures and capital replacement plans.  The last article focused on retro and recommissioning of HVAC systems to correct poor performance of equipment and controls.  […]

The final section of this blog series focuses on insuring your assets from the potential impact of costly lawsuits. When evaluating insurance, whether it is property and casualty; directors and officers; the various liability policies; worker’s compensation; or others, there are three primary considerations: Premiums Payouts for deductibles Appropriate coverage For policies with deductibles, it [...]

Atlanta, GA, February 1, 2017 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions for clients in 13 states throughout the U.S. zumBrunnen’s services on the new projects include: construction monitoring, property condition assessments, reserve studies, reserve study updates, and the firm’s exclusive Campus Wide FacilityForecast® (CWFF), as well as […]

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Safety first” may be a common cliché, but it is fundamental in the management of your assets, whether it be real property or the safety of employees and residents. Vital concerns involve safe practices in daily operations, equipment maintenance, and storage and handling of hazardous materials including infectious wastes. [...]

Key Elements of Building Security Security is about protection and prevention, important facets of asset management in the overall operation of senior living communities. In past years, high-profile cases of unauthorized entry, theft, and abuse has heightened the need for security. A secure living environment gives comfort to the residents and the families who are [...]

Atlanta, GA, October 25, 2016 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Exposition being held October 30 – November 2, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN. Representatives from zumBrunnen will be available at booth #3818 to answer questions about facility condition assessments, capital replacement planning, construction monitoring and other […]

Atlanta, GA, October 5, 2016 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the Community Associations Institute Southeast Florida (CAI-SEFL) Trade Show on October 13, 2016 in Hallandale, FL. Representatives from zumBrunnen will be available at booth #61 to answer questions about reserve studies, transition reports and other building-related services. “As building consultants, […]

An effective strategic capital replacement plan requires that a facility owner consider their business model and objectives as primary guidelines in the process.  Decisions to replace capital budget items are often based on your business model or objectives in conjunction with other drivers.  These may include available funds, competition, changing demographics, efficiency, obsolescence, and failure, [...]

In my last newsletter article, I discussed new trends in energy codes, conservation requirements and required benchmarking reporting for both new construction and existing buildings. I stated that future articles would explore energy savings initiatives that owners could take right now as part of their normal operating procedures and capital replacement plans. These initiatives are […]

Key Components of a Service Contract As previously stated, you are most likely to require some maintenance and service contractors. Develop corporate standards for your contracts to ensure contracts are complete and protective provisions in place. It is best to have a checklist of standard contract terms and conditions that have been reviewed by council [...]

zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions for clients in 17 states throughout the U.S. zumBrunnen’s services on the new projects include: construction monitoring, property condition assessments, reserve studies, reserve study updates, and the firm’s exclusive Campus Wide FacilityForecast® (CWFF), as well as CWFF report updates. The new […]

n-House Maintenance Versus Service Contractors There are various types of maintenance services that can be outsourced, such as landscaping, HVAC mechanical systems, elevators, laundry equipment, and life safety equipment, to name a few. Regardless of the size of a community, almost every community will benefit by outsourcing some maintenance services. The initial thought process for [...]

Preventative Maintenance Program Software A PM program can only be as effective as is the management of its data. The amount of data managed, including accuracy, record keeping, and reporting, determines if the data management system can be paper based (manual) or electronic (software). The key question, is a Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) software [...]

Remember as a child when the allowance your parents gave you was never enough?  Isn’t it ironic that capital expense replacement budgets are much like your allowance?  These budgets often come up short and are often established by others without your input. The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way.  Using long-term […]

Physical Maintenance and Preventative Maintenance Programs Once assets are accounted, evaluated, and funding planned, then comes the task of physical maintenance. To understand the concept of physical maintenance best is first to realize that to achieve excellence within your maintenance program is to implement scheduled and preventative maintenance procedures versus dealing with curative, deferred, and [...]

Green building policies and energy conservation guidelines will continue to get more stringent over time as we look for new ways to improve the energy efficiency of both residential and commercial buildings. Although climate change has become a political hot button issue, there remain economic and environmental advantages to making new and existing buildings more […]

Atlanta, GA – June 6, 2016 – During the month of June, zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting educational sessions at the LeadingAge Washington Annual Conference  in Spokane, WA and the LeadingAge Pennsylvania Annual Conference in Hershey, PA. Both state-level senior living associations are affiliated with LeadingAge, a national association of over 6,000 […]

Replacement Planning and Budgeting Most providers struggle with how much repair and replacement reserve funds are necessary to ensure fulfillment of mission. Nationwide, most providers budget for replacement expenses on either a five- or ten-year budget plan, and rely primarily on historical data, depreciation schedules, and internal evaluations. Often, covenants establish reserve funds using depreciation […]

Best Practices for the Management of Fixed and Moveable Assets Regardless of whether your responsibility is for a single building, multi-buildings, or a multi-site system, proper management of real property assets is crucial to mission, a process better known as asset management. The first steps of asset management are to identify and record; next to [...]

Atlanta, GA – May 4, 2016 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge North Carolina Conference & Trade Show being held May 10-13, 2016 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Representatives from zumBrunnen will also be exhibiting at booth #50 in the trade show area. The Art of Strategic [...]

Atlanta, GA, April 13, 2016 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Conference on Aging and Solutions Center Expo being held April 19-21, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, SC. Representatives from zumBrunnen will be available in the expo area to answer questions. “Over the […]

Atlanta, GA, November 11, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce the recent opening of an office in South Florida.  Richard Lombroia, P.E., CEI, will manage the satellite location. Lombroia joined zumBrunnen in 2008, and he is a Senior Project Manager with the firm. In addition to providing building consulting [...]

Atlanta, GA – October 27, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo being held November 1-4, 2015 in Boston, MA. Representatives from zumBrunnen will also be available at booth #1322 in the exposition hall. A Pathway to Successful Facility and Strategic Planning: [...]

“We continue to see strong growth in senior living facilities, multifamily properties and with condo and home owner associations, as well as activity in industrial, hospitality and educational sectors,”explains Doug McMillan, PE, President of zumBrunnen, Inc. “As independent building consultants, we assist all types of clients with property assessments and capital planning services. We are […]

Atlanta, GA, June 16, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions for clients in 12 states throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services on the new projects include: construction management services, property condition assessments, pre-closing document review, owner representation, reserve studies and updates, the firm’s featured Strategic Capital Replacement […]

Atlanta, GA, June 16, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions for clients in 12 states throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services on the new projects include: construction management services, property condition assessments, pre-closing document review, owner representation, reserve studies and updates, the firm’s featured Strategic Capital Replacement […]

Atlanta, GA – May 27, 2015 – During the month of June, zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting educational sessions at the LeadingAge Arizona Annual Conference & Exposition in Scottsdale, AZ and the LeadingAge Pennsylvania Annual Conference & Exposition in Hershey, PA. They are also exhibiting at the LeadingAge Florida Annual Convention & […]

Atlanta, GA – May 7, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the LeadingAge North Carolina Annual Conference & Trade Show in Pinehurst, NC and exhibiting and presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge Texas Annual Meeting & Trade Show in Austin, TX during the month of May. Both state-level associations [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 15, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting and exhibiting at the LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Annual Trade Show in Hilton Head, SC and the LeadingAge Illinois Annual Meeting & Expo in Rosemont, IL during the month of April. Both state-level associations are affiliated with LeadingAge, a [...]

Congratulations! You completed that big first step. You had zumBrunnen visit your facility, and you developed, in collaboration with us, a comprehensive “life term” capital replacement budget and reserve plan. It took a lot of work, not only from our team, but also from you and your staff by participating in inspections, conducting meetings with various department […]

Atlanta, GA, February 10, 2015 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions for clients in 15 states throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services on the new projects include: completion and compliance reports, construction management services, drawing review, property condition assessments, pre-closing document review, project assessments, reserve studies and updates, […]

ATLANTA, GA, December 3, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Doug McMillan, PE, to President of the company effective January 1, 2015.  McMillan succeeds John zumBrunnen who has served in this position since founding the company in 1989. zumBrunnen will continue to serve as CEO of the […]

Atlanta, GA – October 14, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo being held October 19-22, 2014 at Music City Center in downtown Nashville, TN. Representatives from zumBrunnen will be available in the expo area at booth 1014 to answer questions. About LeadingAge: LeadingAge is […]

Atlanta, GA, October 2, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions for clients throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: pre-closing document review, plan and cost review, construction monitoring services, property condition assessments, transition studies, reserve studies, water intrusion inspections, hourly consulting, and [...]

A recent code requirement for low frequency fire alarms (520 Hz) in commercial sleeping spaces went into effect on January 1, 2014. We are still receiving many questions about changes to NFPA 72 (the National Fire Alarm Signaling Code) and wanted to share a helpful article on the topic. Why the change? Studies have shown […]

The senior living industry is now an established marketplace with facilities of all ages to manage. Older buildings, constructed more than 30 years ago, represent different challenges than more recent construction. As senior living communities continue to age, the importance of maintaining and improving buildings, facilities and grounds is critical for managing continued and long-term [...]

Atlanta, GA – July 23, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the 51st Annual LeadingAge Florida Convention & Exposition being held July 27 – July 31, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, FL. In addition to making a presentation, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in […]

Atlanta, GA, June 24, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions. zumBrunnen has been retained to provide services for clients in 17 states, including a project in Hawaii. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: pre-closing document review, construction monitoring services, completion and compliance reports,  property condition [...]

Whether your building is approaching substantial completion, or it has been occupied for the past twenty years, one of the most important maintenance issues that will be faced is the damage caused by water intrusion.  Rain will find its way into walls and roof assemblies through improperly installed roof penetrations and flashings, window flashings, and […]

Refrigerant lines for rooftop condensing units must penetrate the roof at some point.  There are proper ways to create this penetration, and others are not-so-appropriate.  A proper penetration sheds storm water, but also allows for removal and replacement of the line-set without disturbing the roof surface.  A “goose-neck” opening, pictured here, accomplishes this purpose.  A […]

Atlanta, GA – May 1, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge California Annual Conference, presenting and exhibiting at the LeadingAge North Carolina Annual Meeting, and presenting at the LeadingAge Texas Annual Meeting during the month of May 2014. All three state-level associations are affiliated with [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 23, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the Life Services Network (LSN) 2014 Annual Meeting and Exhibition being held April 30 – May 2, 2014 in Rosemont, IL. In addition to making a presentation, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in booth 617 [...]

Atlanta, GA, March 11, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce recent project commissions. zumBrunnen has been retained to provide services for clients in 17 states throughout the continental US and four projects in British Columbia, Canada. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: construction monitoring services, completion and compliance [...]

Atlanta, GA – January 14, 2014 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is celebrating their 25th anniversary. Founded in 1989 by John zumBrunnen, the Atlanta-based firm specializes in construction consulting, facility assessments, property condition assessments and long-range capital reserve planning services for a diverse list of national clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary [...]

Atlanta, GA – November 14, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is  pleased to announce the addition of Rob Milam as a Project Manager with the firm. Milam has worked with zumBrunnen since 2007 as a part-time Project Manager, and the firm is delighted to add him to the team on a full-time [...]

Atlanta, GA – October 22, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Exposition being held October 27-30, 2013 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, TX. In addition to making a presentation, representatives from zumBrunnen will be available to answer questions in booth [...]

Atlanta, GA, August 28, 2013 –zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions for clients throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: pre-closing document review, construction monitoring services, property condition assessments, reserve studies, water intrusion monitoring and the firm’s feature Strategic Capital Replacement Budget™ (SCRB™) and their [...]

Atlanta, GA – July 11, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #205 at the LeadingAge Florida 50th Annual Convention and Exposition being held July 14-18, 2013 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. zumBrunnen specializes in providing senior living communities with critical services such as: property condition assessments, reserve studies, reserve study […]

Atlanta, GA, June 26, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions for clients in 14 continental US states and also for a project in Hawaii. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: property condition assessments, reserve studies, construction monitoring services, hourly consulting services and the firm’s [...]

Atlanta, GA – May 2, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the LeadingAge California Annual Conference and exhibiting at the LeadingAge North Carolina Annual Meeting during the month of May 2013. Both state-level associations are affiliated with LeadingAge, a national association of over 6,000 not-for-profit organizations dedicated [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 26, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the Life Services Network (LSN) 2013 Annual Meeting & Exhibition being held May 1-3, 2013 in Chicago. In addition to making a presentation, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in booth 1211 in the exposition area. [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 16, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #21 at the LeadingAge Georgia & South Carolina Joint Annual Conference being held April 16-18, 2013 in Augusta, GA. zumBrunnen specializes in providing senior living communities with critical services such as: property condition assessments, reserve studies, reserve study […]

Reserve funding plans (also known as replacement reserve studies) are critical planning and budgeting tools for effective facilities management. The process of developing an initial reserve study (or funding plan) involves a comprehensive facilities assessment of all fixed and movable assets. This property assessment provides the foundation to develop a list of immediate and long-term facility budget [...]

Building Consulting Firm zumBrunnen, Inc. Announces New Project Commissions Atlanta, GA – March 27, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions for clients throughout the country. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: construction monitoring services, property condition assessments, reserve studies, bank reports and the firm’s [...]

Atlanta, GA – January 23, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions. zumBrunnen was recently retained to provide  services for clients in 13 states throughout the continental US and also commissioned for projects in Hawaii and Guam. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: property condition [...]

Atlanta, GA – January 23, 2013 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce several new project commissions. zumBrunnen was recently retained to provide  services for clients in 13 states throughout the continental US and also commissioned for projects in Hawaii and Guam. zumBrunnen’s services for the new clients include: property condition [...]

Often when providing Reserve Studies we are asked, “When funding replacement reserves, should we adhere to the national standards for a Fully Funded Plan (100% of depreciation) versus a Threshold Funding Plan (a plan based on a cash flow analysis with a contingency)?” Before beginning this discussion, please note it has been our experience that one of [...]

Atlanta, GA – November 30, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to announce ten representative new project commissions. zumBrunnen has been retained to provide a broad range of services for clients across the country. Their services include: property condition assessments, budget review, drawing review, reserve studies, construction monitoring services and the [...]

Atlanta, GA – October 16, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Exposition being held October 21-24, 2012 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. In addition to making a presentation, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in booth 1606 in the [...]

Atlanta, GA – August 23, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar at the LeadingAge Ohio Annual Conference and Trade Show being held August 28-30 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, OH. Tom Doyen, Director of Business Development for the firm, will present the educational program. Ensure Mission – […]

Atlanta, GA – August 17, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the 2012 Tennessee Health Care Association (THCA) and Tennessee Center for Assisted Living (TNCAL) Convention & Trade Show. The convention is being held August 19-22 at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, TN. Tom Doyen, Director […]

“We are very pleased with zumBrunnen’s reserve study. Dan Williams was very helpful and knowledgeable. He reviewed our prior study and helped us add and delete items for budgeting purposes. Dan answered questions at each step of the way and continues to answer our questions even after he completed our study.” –Vinny Spera, General Manager, […]

“The assessment helped us uncover facilities issues that could have grown into larger problems over time, and zumBrunnen helped us resolve them. The database allows us to accurately budget for the future and know how much to set aside for healthy maintenance reserves.” -Lynn Robertson, Finance and Facilities Director, The Fletcher School

Do you wonder about the benefits of different funding plans and want to learn how to evaluate the best option to meet your needs? If so, you need to read John H. zumBrunnen’s white paper on the Fundamentals of Replacement-Reserve Funding. It includes helpful examples and illustrates the pros and cons of various funding reports.

Atlanta, GA – June 18, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational workshop at The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and Campus Outreach Services (COS) Annual Risk Management Conference being held June 20-22, 2012 at the historic Hotel Dupont in Wilmington, DE. The conference will bring together boarding school [...]

Atlanta, GA – June 1, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar at the Aging Services of Washington 61st Annual Summer Conference being held June 5-7, 2012 at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, WA. (Pre-conference workshops and a golf tournament will be held on June 4.) Tom Doyen, Director of […]

Atlanta, GA – May 9, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting educational sessions at the LeadingAge North Carolina and LeadingAge Texas annual conferences both being held in May 2012. Both state-level associations are affiliated with LeadingAge, a national association of over 5,600 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to making America a better place […]

Atlanta, GA – April 26, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the Life Services Network (LSN) Annual Meeting & Exhibition being held May 2-4, 2012 at the Navy Pier in Chicago, IL. John zumBrunnen, Founder of the firm, will co-present the CEU session. The firm will [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 3, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is now offering Level 1 and Level 2 Energy Audits for commercial and multi-family properties. The Energy Audits help identify energy conservation measures to lower power, gas and water expenses. The audits uncover hidden problems such as moisture, ventilation issues, missing or […]

This summary provides a quick overview of the five different types of funding plans. If you need assistance in selecting the best type of plan for your business, please feel free to contact us at 404.601.4050 or info@zumbrunnen.com. Current Funding Plan The current reserve fund balance, along with the historical or current planned annual reserve contributions, […]

The average operations department is not properly equipped to study energy performance in a campus, large multi-family community, hospital, or commercial complex.  Many of the necessary tools are easily available and require little training, with the exception of infrared cameras and electrical testing equipment.  Use these tools to their fullest capacity.  In addition to locating […]

zumBrunnen follows American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Level 1 Energy Audit guidelines and consists of assessing a building’s energy cost and efficiency by analyzing energy bills and a brief survey of the building.  The Level 1 Energy Audit Report will discuss energy conservation measures, including estimated capital costs, anticipated annual energy […]

Atlanta, GA – February 22, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational roundtable session on replacement reserve planning at the National Business Officers Association (NBOA) Symposium on Tuesday, February 28 from 3:30-5:00 pm. zumBrunnen will also be exhibiting at booth #18 on Monday, February 27 from noon to 7:00 pm. […]

Atlanta, GA – January 17, 2012 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to recognize Richard B Lombroia, P.E., for earning the Certified EIFS Inspector (CEI) designation. Lombroia joins the ranks of only nine Certified EIFS Inspectors in the state of GA. The CEI designation is awarded to individuals who have passed […]

The annual budgeting process is a critical step in managing your facilities. Before you jump into the process, there are many important issues to consider. Does your planning process “prompt” you to consider everything on OUR list? Please use this as a handy checklist: Are any critical warranties provided by a developer, contractor, or major […]

Atlanta, GA – October 11, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting two educational seminars at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & IAHSA Global Aging Conference being held October 16-19, 2011 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. In addition to the presentations, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in booth 2406 [...]

Atlanta, GA – October 4, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #14 at the South Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute’s (SC-CAI) Annual Conference & Trade Show being held October 13-14, 2011 in Columbia, SC. zumBrunnen specializes in providing community associations and community management professionals with critical services […]

by Daniel J. Williams, Senior Project Manager, zumBrunnen, Inc. Water penetration is a building’s worst enemy. Stucco, exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS), concrete, and masonry are prone to cracking in climates with extreme temperature changes, and if water penetrates these cracks, serious and costly repairs often result. One great preventative maintenance product for exterior stucco, […]

Water penetration is a building’s worst enemy. Stucco, exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS), concrete and masonry are prone to cracking in climates with extreme temperature changes, and if water penetrates these cracks, serious and costly repairs often result. One great preventative maintenance product for exterior stucco, EIFS, concrete and masonry walls is elastomeric paint. Unlike […]

Fall Building Maintenance Tips – Prepare for the Cold Weather to Come It’s been a long, hot summer for most of the country, but as the calendar gradually turns to September, fall is almost here and before you know it, the cold winter weather will be here, too.  Here are a few things you can […]

It’s been a long, hot summer for most of the country, but as the calendar gradually turns to September, fall is almost here and before you know it, the cold winter weather will be here, too.  Here are a few things you can do as a building Owner or Director of Facilities to ensure you […]

Ben Franklin coined the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As independent building consultants, we subscribe to that theory and advise clients on ways to PREVENT maintenance problems before they occur.  Unfortunately, we are often called in to fix issues after they have happened, which is always more costly. As […]

Atlanta, GA – July 12, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #602 at the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (FAHSA) 48th Annual Convention & Exposition being held July 24-27, 2011 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, FL. zumBrunnen specializes in providing building consulting […]

Atlanta, GA – June 29, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to recognize Daniel J. Williams, Senior Project Manager, for earning his Reserve Specialist (RS) designation from the Community Associations Institute (CAI). The RS designation is the only national credential for community association reserve study providers. The designation is only awarded [...]

Atlanta, GA – June 8, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar titled “The Fundamentals of Strategic Capital Planning” on Friday, June 17 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at the PANPHA Annual Conference in Hershey, PA. Tom Doyen, Director of Business Development for zumBrunnen, will co-present the session with […]

Whether you are a building owner/operator, developer, architect or in any way involved in the development and construction of new buildings or operation and maintenance of existing buildings, you have heard plenty over the last few years about sustainable development, green buildings and environmentally friendly construction, design and operations practices.  The U.S. Green Building Council […]

Atlanta, GA – May 17, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, was recently selected to perform a full facilities audit by Woodward Academy. The facilities assessment includes an inventory of all buildings, athletic facilities and grounds owned by Woodward Academy on their 80-acre main campus, including the 4-acre primary school in College Park, [...]

Atlanta, GA – May 4, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational session at the North Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (NCANPHA) 2011 Spring Conference and Trade Show being held May 9-12 at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, NC.  John zumBrunnen, Founder [...]

Atlanta, GA – April 29, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar at the Aging Services of California’s Annual Conference and Exposition being held May 2-4, 2011 in Monterey, CA. Tom Doyen, Director of Business Development for zumBrunnen, will present the session. Doyen is a dynamic speaker and an […]

Atlanta, GA – April 5, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #304 at the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Georgia Chapter Neighborhood Conference & Expo being held April 16, 2011 from 8 am to 3 pm at the Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, GA. zumBrunnen specializes in providing community associations and […]

Atlanta, GA – March 15, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is co-presenting an educational seminar at the Life Services Network (LSN) Annual Meeting & Expo being held March 23-25, 2011 at the Navy Pier in Chicago, IL. John zumBrunnen, Founder and President of the firm, will co-present the session. zumBrunnen is a […]

Atlanta, GA – February 16, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, just announced the latest release of their proprietary FacilityForecast® Software System with version 5.4. The latest version of the software introduces more client-friendly features offering users greater control, enhanced functionality and increased funding report options. zumBrunnen’s clients with a current license of [...]

zumBrunnen was asked to perform an infrared study of a recently completed refrigerated food processing plant in Florida.  The goals of the study were: To determine whether the 4″ thick insulated panels were installed to prevent infiltration of hot air from the outside, and identify where problems exist. To determine where electrical problems may exist […]

Atlanta, GA – February 4, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting an educational seminar titled “Strategic Capital Planning – Real Answers for Real Problems” on Wednesday, February 9 from 12:30 – 2:00 pm at the Aging Services of Minnesota 2011 Institute in Minneapolis, MN. Tom Doyen, Director of Business Development for […]

Atlanta, GA – January 11, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) Conference for Heads and Trustees being held January 12-14, 2011 in Southern Pines, NC. The mission of NCAIS is to support and strengthen independent schools in North Carolina. NCAIS was incorporated […]

Atlanta, GA – November 16, 2010 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting a training session titled “Lower Your Overall Operating Expense:  Assess – Plan – Execute” on Tuesday, November 30 at the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (FAHSA) Annual Maintenance & Environmental Services Workshop in Orlando, FL. [...]

Atlanta, GA – October 28, 2010 – Imagine having the ability to “see” through walls or equipment. Now, the building experts at zumBrunnen, an independent property consulting firm, can “see” into walls, rooms, ceilings, equipment and more with their new thermal imaging equipment. Infrared thermography measures the infrared energy of an object and produces a visual […]

Atlanta, GA – October 27, 2010 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting two educational seminars at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition being held October 31 – November 3, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to the presentations, representatives from zumBrunnen will [...]

In addition to the obvious benefits of performing a water-intrusion analysis or an energy efficiency study for your facility, testing can be done for predictive maintenance.  Predictive maintenance techniques help to determine the condition of in-service equipment in order to predict when maintenance should be performed. This approach offers cost savings over routine or time-based preventive […]

Atlanta, GA – October 13, 2010 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) Annual Conference on Sunday, October 17, 2010. The two-day conference is being held at the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta, GA. SAIS is an organization of independent elementary and secondary schools throughout the Southeastern […]

Atlanta, GA – September 28, 2010 – John zumBrunnen, Founder of zumBrunnen, Inc., served as a faculty member at the Certified Aging Services Professional (CASP) training program offered through the Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS) at the University of North Texas (UNT) from September 13-16, 2010. zumBrunnen instructed executive level candidates on the [...]

Many of our senior living community clients are planning upgrades to finishes in their common spaces and corridors.  Sometimes the scope of work may include replacement of lighting fixtures or suspended acoustic ceiling tile.  However, it may also be time to evaluate certain MEP items routed above corridor ceilings to determine if renovations/replacement may be due […]

We would like to offer some general direction to help building owners and facility managers perform routine roof inspections.  Please call a professional if you are not comfortable accessing and walking your roof. Common issues to look for on your roofs: Built-Up Roofs Loss of felt surfacing, gravel, aluminum coating, or asphalt surfacing Felt erosion, […]