When keeping your condo investment protected, one of the simplest and most effective places to start is fire safety. And when it comes to fire safety, it’s hard to think of a more impactful element than your smoke alarm. Your first line of defence against any fire-related situation that might arise, your smoke alarm […]
We took some time last month to dig into the details of condo waste management with special guest expert Mickey Pendergast – a Cost Reduction Expert at Schooley Mitchell, the largest independent cost reduction consulting firm in North America – to chat about what your condo board can do to lower costs and save money. We […]
Waste handling is a necessary consideration for condo corporations to keep on top of. Oftentimes, though, it can just as easily become something that simply goes for years unnoticed or without a second thought – even as the associated costs continue to creep steadily upward. That’s where our esteemed guest expert, Mickey Pendergast, comes in […]
If you’re around the younger crowd at all, it’s likely you’ve heard someone somewhere along the line refer to something as being “lit” or “fire” or even “🔥,” depending on the scenario. While all these metaphors were likely evoked in a positive context, they certainly don’t hold to the same rigor and routine as the […]
It seems like it took forever to get here, but long warm days are on their way! Springtime feels like a fresh start for many of us as we begin looking forward to sunny days outdoors with friends and family – but as daffodils and crocuses pop up and cheerfully remind us that better days are […]
Living in a condo building, we use our elevators without a thought – they’re a part of our everyday lives. Reliable and convenient, it’s easy to forget that elevators are complex machines designed with our safety first and foremost in mind. So, it may come as a shock to condo owners when they realize just […]
“Fall is here” might not have quite the same ominous ring to it as announcing that winter will soon arrive, but in the world of condo management, keeping an eye on the imminent approach of autumn is likely a better bet for your condo board to concern itself with. After all, for many Alberta condo […]
As warm summer days give way to the inevitable march towards cooler, crisper months ahead, you might be welcoming unwanted house guests if you’re not careful. Changing seasons often bring awkward transitions in the natural world around us, as plants and creatures big and small prepare for winter. You’d certainly notice if a small family […]
Autumn has arrived in Alberta once again, and as temperatures begin to fall, the issue of pest control becomes increasingly important. As droves of mice search for warmth and food inside our homes, all manner of critters big and small are looking for a place to shelter for the winter. When it comes to mice […]
Moving into a new condo is an exciting change. Between unpacking your belongings and decorating your new space, there’s a lot to think about. In the hustle and bustle, however, it’s easy to miss a few key details during your first week. One important step you don’t want to forget is becoming familiar with condo […]
It’s easy to take your condo’s roof for granted when it’s in great condition, but when it requires repairs, it’s time to give your roof some thought. Realizing your condo building needs a new roof means you’ll need to do a bit of research to determine who is responsible for repairs and what options are […]
Spring cleaning in condos doesn’t have to be difficult. The efficient size of most condos is a plus when it comes to deep cleaning your home. With less area to clean, you can save time and energy. Still, when it comes to thoroughly tidying your condo, strategically planning your cleaning spree will prevent you from […]
We’ve all heard them. High pitched, excruciating beeps that happen every few minutes, like clockwork. No, you likely don’t have a cricket loose in your condo. Those ear-splitting chirps are coming from your smoke detector. Smoke detectors in condos can emanate these noises for a variety of reasons. One of the first things you’ll want […]
Blizzards are an inevitable part of living in Alberta. In a province where the lowest temperature on record is an ultra-frigid -61.1 degrees Celsius, unpleasant winter weather is inescapable— and with it comes the trouble of snow removal. For condo owners and boards, in particular, snow and ice removal can be a sore point. Since […]
Windows and doors are structural elements that we often take for granted— until, of course, one becomes damaged. Then we become painfully aware of how much we depend on them to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering our building or to shield us from harsh weather. But who is responsible for replacing windows and doors in […]
As we go about our lives each and every day, it can become easy to take all the innovative technology that surrounds us for granted. Every once in a while, though, it will hit you as you realize that
Solar power as a renewable energy resource has taken huge strides in the past few years. In fact, due to current government funding, it’s now even more economically feasible to install a complete solar system that can operate. In fact, it’s also now cheaper to produce solar energy than energy from fossil fuels, due to […]
At Catalyst, industry innovation drives us to continue improving how we support our condo property management clients. Part of this involves viewing condo buildings as an interconnected environment, identifying how to tie together building maintenance planning with capital planning efforts. The end goal? To help our clients better utilize their resources. To support our condo […]
Is your condo building thinking about going green this year? And no, we don’t just mean adding a healthy coat of green paint on your condo’s walls. Here, green is a blanket term for those initiatives your condo corporation
And just like that, we’re nearing the end of another year. With the New Year just around the corner, wouldn’t it be nice if your condominium’s building maintenance caused as minimal interruption to your condo residents as possible?
If you’ve ever lived in a condo complex, chances are you’ve come to dread walking up to the front door at the end of a long day and seeing that dreaded 8½ X 11 sheet of paper taped to the glass:
Green bins are finally coming to Calgary, bringing a much needed “greenness” to our city. But what does this mean for your condo building? How will your condo manage the aspects of implementing this new program and, once implemented,
What condo building in their right mind would spend $1000 on energy efficient light bulbs? Well, those interested in short term pain for long-term sustainable gain. Over the past number of years, “energy efficient” has made its way into everyday conversation.
How Airbnb and short term leasing affects your condo living Your condo unit is your home, so you should be able to do whatever you want with it (that’s legal, of course), right? Not so fast. Part of the role of your condo board is to ensure the security
The ceiling can have a leak or the plumbing may fail. There is no telling when such issues can arise, but they are really inconvenient. If you have a condo management company that offers 24 by 7 repair support, you can remain assured that there is always
When it comes to repairs and maintenance, condominium residents face lots of uncertainty. If repairs are required in the common areas and apartments, who should be responsible for them. This is frequently occurring issue that can be seen in
Condo maintenance is part of the daily operations of condo management. Snow removal is one of the most important tasks and the level of complexity and work involved will depend on many factors. So what should it cost? What are the factors involved
Post tension cables are used in concrete construction to add strength to thin and long slabs. This allows more span lengths between support columns. The cables have steel wires within plastic sheath. They are tensioned after pouring concrete,