Canadian and US Terminology
Building reports often serve the same purpose but may be known by different names depending on where your building is located.
| Canada | United States |
| Depreciation Report | Reserve Study |
| Warranty Review | Warranty Inspection |
| Strata Council | Condominium Association / HOA Board |
| Reserve Fund | Reserve Fund / Reserve Account |
Depreciation Report (Canada) / Reserve Study (United States)
A Depreciation Report, known as a Reserve Study in the United States, supports long-term capital planning by identifying common property assets, estimating their remaining service life, and forecasting future repair and replacement costs. The report helps owners understand upcoming expenditures, evaluate reserve fund adequacy, and make informed financial decisions about future building investments.
What You’ll Receive
- Inventory of major common property assets
- Estimated remaining service life of building components
- Projected repair and replacement timelines
- Long-term capital expenditure forecast
- Reserve fund funding recommendations
- Financial planning scenarios and cash flow projections
Best Time to Complete
Every 3–5 years, or when updating reserve fund plans and long-term capital budgets.
Building Condition Assessment
A Building Condition Assessment evaluates the current condition and performance of a building or specific building systems. The assessment identifies deficiencies, deterioration, maintenance concerns, and potential risks while providing recommendations for repairs, further investigation, and future capital projects.
Building Condition Assessments are commonly completed when buildings are aging, visible concerns have emerged, owners are planning significant repairs, or a clearer understanding of building condition is needed to support decision-making.
What You’ll Receive
- Summary of observed building conditions
- Identification of deficiencies and areas of concern
- Photographs documenting key findings
- Assessment of probable causes of deterioration
- Repair and maintenance recommendations
- Prioritized actions based on urgency and risk
- Recommendations for additional specialist investigations where appropriate
Best Time to Complete
When concerns arise, before major repair projects, during capital planning, or as part of property acquisition due diligence.
Warranty Review (Canada) / Warranty Inspection (United States)
A Warranty Review, often referred to as a Warranty Inspection in the United States, identifies deficiencies that may be eligible for warranty coverage before key warranty deadlines expire. The review documents observed concerns, assesses whether they may fall within applicable warranty provisions, and helps owners understand potential claims and required follow-up actions.
Warranty Reviews are typically completed before key warranty milestones or warranty expiration dates.
What You’ll Receive
- Site review of accessible building systems
- Documentation of observed deficiencies
- Photographs and supporting observations
- Assessment of potential warranty-related concerns
- Summary of items requiring further investigation
- Recommendations for warranty claims and next steps
Best Time to Complete
Six to twelve months before a warranty milestone or expiration date.
Selecting the right report helps owners focus resources effectively, understand risks, and make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, capital planning, and warranty opportunities. If you’re unsure which report best fits your situation, a qualified building consultant can help determine the most appropriate starting point.
Which Building Report Do You Need?
What major expenses should we expect over the next 30 years?
A Depreciation Report (Canada) or Reserve Study (United States) forecasts future repair and replacement costs for major common property assets and helps support long-term reserve fund planning.
What condition is our building in today?
A Building Condition Assessment evaluates the current condition of a building and identifies deficiencies, deterioration, maintenance concerns, and potential risks.
Why are we experiencing leaks, deterioration, or other building issues?
A Building Condition Assessment investigates observed concerns and identifies probable causes, helping owners understand appropriate next steps.
What repairs should we prioritize?
A Building Condition Assessment provides recommendations that help owners plan repairs, maintenance activities, and future capital projects.
We’re planning a major renewal project. Where should we start?
A Building Condition Assessment establishes a baseline understanding of existing conditions and helps inform project scope, priorities, and budgeting.
Are these deficiencies covered by warranty?
A Warranty Review (Canada) or Warranty Inspection (United States) identifies deficiencies that may be eligible for warranty coverage and documents them before key deadlines.
A warranty deadline is approaching. What should we do?
A Warranty Review / Inspection can identify and document deficiencies before warranty milestones or expiration dates, helping owners understand potential warranty opportunities.
Still Not Sure?
Many owners begin with a specific concern: a leak, an upcoming capital project, questions about reserve funding, or an approaching warranty deadline. If you’re unsure which report is right for your building, RDH can help evaluate your situation and recommend the most appropriate starting point.