A management tool grounded in observation
It is a management and prioritization tool grounded in observations of the building's condition and the documentation available.
The assessment rests first on what CASAFORTA observes: common areas, accessible components within the mandate, the envelope and visible exterior elements. Available documents add to the assessment and can sharpen certain categories.
When relevant information or a document has been requested but not received, it remains identified as missing. Missing information is never converted into a favourable finding.
How the assessment is carried out
Available information is reviewed, accessible elements within the mandate are observed, findings are grouped into the twelve categories, and those findings are then summarized into a score and priorities.
Repeated over time using a consistent method, the Building Health Score™ can help track how a single building evolves.
The twelve categories
Nine concern the building's physical condition: Life safety — observable conditions that may affect safe use · Structure and movement — observable signs relating to stability, movement or deformation · Water infiltration — indicators and conditions associated with water entry · Roof and envelope — the general state of the surfaces and openings that protect the building · Moisture and mould — observable moisture and ventilation conditions · Balconies, stairs and guardrails — the state of exterior access and protective structures · Plumbing — observable conditions of supply and drainage systems · Electrical — observable conditions of the installation and its apparent capacity · HVAC — observable conditions of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Three widen the view to operating exposure: Deferred maintenance — the maintenance backlog accumulated across the building · Capital expenditure risk — major components approaching the end of their useful life · Insurance and documentation risk — issues relating to insurance and the quality of the records available.
The nature and depth of observations vary with the building, its accessible components and the information available; the twelve categories therefore do not carry the same weight of concern in every file.
What you receive
The Building Health Score™ presents a rating and an observation for each category, followed by a summary score out of 100. Green, yellow, orange and red levels are used to express the degree of attention associated with the assessment. Depending on the conditions observed, it may also be supported by photographs, priorities and appropriate recommendations.
The colours express increasing levels of attention. Recommended timing belongs to the action plan prepared for each specific building.
The score and levels give a structured view of the situation observed and the priorities that follow. They are not a certification, a regulatory grade, or an objective measurement of the building's condition.
When incorporated into the Owner Clarity Diagnostic™, the findings feed the Diagnostic's prioritized action plan.
What the result is for
It helps structure three decisions owners often make without a common basis: what to address first, what can wait, and what should not be deferred.
It informs maintenance budgeting, supports a discussion with an insurer, a lender or a board, and provides a point of reference for the 25-Year Capital Plan™ when long-term capital planning becomes the priority.
What it is not
The Building Health Score™ does not replace a pre-purchase inspection, an engineering report, a certified appraisal, a code-compliance certification or an official reserve-fund study. When a condition falls outside its scope or requires specialized expertise, CASAFORTA recommends consulting the appropriate qualified professional.
Where it begins and ends
The Owner Clarity Diagnostic™ is the broader offering: it brings together the Building Health Score™, a prioritized action plan and a 25-year capital snapshot. The 25-Year Capital Plan™ is the separate deliverable that uses this assessment as an input to long-term capital planning.
The assessment produces a dated snapshot. When used alongside it, the Building Passport™ can preserve that dated snapshot and connect it to the documents, decisions and follow-ups that come after.
When it becomes useful
Taking on a building · when maintenance has accumulated · at a change of management · before prioritizing significant work · when preparing a refinancing or sale · when an owner or a board wants to put the building's priorities into a shared order.
On its own, or within the Diagnostic
The Building Health Score™ can be carried out on its own or incorporated into the Owner Clarity Diagnostic™. The Diagnostic is the broader offering: it brings together the Building Health Score™, a prioritized action plan, a 25-year capital snapshot and a review of known documents and obligations.
