In this special episode of Take It To The Board, the podcast hits the road for its first-ever live taping at the Cooperator Trade Show & Expo in Fort Lauderdale. Host Donna DiMaggio Berger is joined by professional engineer Evan Swaysland, president of Swaysland Professional Engineering Consultants, for a clear-eyed discussion of Florida’s mandatory milestone inspections and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS)—and what they really mean for the safety and longevity of multifamily buildings.
Donna and Evan break down the shift from visual inspections to comprehensive, post-Surfside evaluations, explaining why many aging buildings trigger Phase Two inspections and what “immediate” repairs look like in real-world practice. They unpack common trouble spots like balconies, waterproofing systems, and incidental damage during restoration, while offering practical guidance on reading inspection reports, budgeting with SIRS, and moving efficiently from inspections to repairs.
The conversation also explores emerging issues, including coastal subsidence research, construction-related vibration risks, and how monitoring and documentation can protect both buildings and legal interests. Listeners will learn how to hire the right engineer, scope projects intelligently, and focus on preventive maintenance—not just reactive fixes.
Conversation Highlights:
How the industry has shifted from viewing inspections as a reactive measure to embracing a more preventative and predictive model of building safety
The top three misconceptions boards or residents commonly have about structural inspections
The first structural conditions an engineer typically evaluates, and what signals whether a building has been well maintained or neglected
Warning signs that require monitoring, and urgent conditions that rise to the level of life safety concerns
The typical cost range for a Milestone Inspection, and which factors most significantly influence that cost (i.e. building size, age, location, and structural complexity)
What does a high-quality Milestone Inspection involve that most directors or unit owners may not fully appreciate?
Differences between a Milestone Inspection and a SIRS
Are the current Milestone Inspection and SIRS frameworks adequate to identify subsidence-related risks, or do policies and protocols need to evolve?
Key differences between “settling,” “sinking,” and “sinkholes” from an engineering perspective
Early signs of subsidence or sinkhole activity and what remediation typically involves
How volunteer boards can become better, more informed consumers - when selecting an engineering firm
BONUS: If there is one essential truth about structural safety every Florida board should understand, what is it?
Related Links:
Podcast: Everything You Need to Know About Concrete Restoration Projects with Alessandra Bianchini, of Carousel Development and Restoration Inc.
https://beckerlawyers.com/everything-...
Resource: Swaysland Professional Engineering Consultants
https://swayslandengineering.site/
About Take It To The Board
Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly. Take It To The Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle.
If you’ve got a question, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger – We Speak Condo & HOA!
Episodes are available for subscription on iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube, or listen through any podcast streaming app.
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