Existing Buildings
Every building reaches a point where repair, renewal, and reinvestment become unavoidable. The question is rarely whether to act, but when, in what sequence, and at what cost. Owners, managers, and boards navigating these decisions need clear technical insight and careful capital planning.
RDH works with strata councils, condo boards, housing authorities, developers, and portfolio managers on existing building projects across North America.
A Coordinated Approach
Changes to the enclosure influence energy use and occupant comfort. Mechanical upgrades affect moisture control and ventilation. Structural conditions shape the feasibility of retrofit strategies. When these relationships are not considered together, projects can introduce new problems rather than resolving existing ones.
RDH evaluates building systems together, drawing on expertise across enclosure consulting, structural engineering, energy performance, and asset planning.
Who We Work With
Strata Councils & Condo Boards
Independent technical advice to support capital planning, repair decisions, and clear communication with owners.
Property Managers
Project delivery support through condition assessments, repair planning, procurement, and construction administration.
Housing Authorities & Affordable Housing Providers
Building renewal, lifecycle planning, and retrofit strategies that align with funding requirements and long-term asset performance goals.
Commercial Building Owners
Technical guidance for maintaining, renewing, and improving the performance of office, retail, mixed-use, and industrial properties.
Public Agencies & Institutional Owners
Portfolio-wide assessments, capital planning, and renewal programs for public and community-serving facilities.
Utilities & Infrastructure Owners
Asset management, facility renewal, and building performance improvements across operational building portfolios.
Non-Profit Organizations
Practical, long-term strategies for maintaining and improving facilities while balancing mission-driven priorities and limited capital resources.
Helping Owners Plan Ahead
We help building owners and organizations make informed decisions about the maintenance, renewal, and long term management of their assets. Our multidisciplinary team provides expertise delivering practical solutions that balance performance, cost, risk, and sustainability. From strategic capital planning to project implementation, we support clients throughout the entire building lifecycle.
Typical Client Challenges
Understanding Building Condition
- Understanding what condition a building is in
- Identifying issues before they become larger problems
- Managing deferred maintenance
Planning Ahead
- Prioritizing repairs with limited budgets
- Planning for major repair and renewal projects
- Balancing short-term needs with long-term goals
Meeting Requirements
- Meeting regulatory and funding requirements
- Improving energy performance and reducing operating costs
- Identifying funding and incentive opportunities
Making Decisions
- Explaining technical issues to owners and stakeholders
- Building support for repair and renewal projects
- Knowing what work should happen now and what can wait
Guide to Building Reports
Whether you’re planning repairs, budgeting for future capital projects, addressing performance concerns, or approaching a warranty deadline, the right report provides the information needed to make informed decisions. RDH helps owners understand building condition, prioritize investments, and plan for the future through a range of assessment and planning reports.
Check out our Building Owner’s Guide to Building Reports.
Condition assessments, lifecycle analysis, and capital planning to help owners prioritize renewal decisions, extend the life of building components, and connect maintenance strategies with long-term financial planning. We also support clients in identifying grants and incentive programs that may offset capital costs.
Leak investigations, enclosure condition assessments, material testing, and targeted exploratory openings to inform repair strategies and risk management.
Implementation of maintenance and renewal programs dealing with single components or groupings of similar components. Assessment and retrofit strategies for historically significant buildings, balancing conservation requirements with modern performance needs
renewal, facade recladding, structural strengthening, and energy upgrades sequenced to balance performance, cost, and occupant disruption.
Energy audits, modeling, and decarbonization planning aligned with building performance standards across Canada and the US.
Contractor coordination, contract administration, budget and schedule oversight, and occupant engagement planning for existing building projects where RDH acts as the owner’s representative through construction.
Support Root cause analysis of building failures, expert reporting, and technical support for mediation, arbitration, and litigation.
Assessment and retrofit strategies for historically significant buildings, balancing conservation requirements with modern performance needs.
Technical support for agencies and organizations developing retrofit programs, compliance frameworks, and building performance initiatives.
Field monitoring, experimental testing, and pilot programs that advance building performance knowledge and inform project work
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