BUILDING ASSESSMENTS

Building Envelope Assessments

Orata Engineering provides expert building envelope assessments in Calgary and across western Canada, helping owners, property managers, and insurers understand the current condition of their buildings and avoid costly surprises.

Why Building Envelope Assessments Matter

The building envelope is your first line of defence against water, air, and energy loss. Without regular assessments, hidden deterioration can lead to:

• Water leaks and mould growth

• Energy inefficiency and rising utility bills

• Insurance and liability issues

• Major structural repairs that could have been prevented

Early detection makes it easier and more cost-effective to implement preventative measures—protecting both your building and your investment.

Critical evaluation of the safety and insurability of a building is dependent on Building Assessments. It is important to inspect and identify present and potential points of deterioration on a building envelope.

Orata’s experts compile Detailed Reports on a building’s current structural and building envelope condition. This helps owners reduce repair costs and identify circumstances that may be causing excessive operating and repair expenses.

Initial site inspections are recommended to assess the current situation to determine the recommended project plan to address the concerns. From here, an expert team may be assembled for further investigations if required an engineering report writing is created to document the results of the deterioration that may be caused by poor design, improper usage of the materials, or product failure. This can save your building from larger concerns developing and can help promote the overall long-term viability of your structure.

Regular building envelope assessments can be done to ensure continued value for business and property owners’ investments alike. Reducing repair costs, with early detection, by making it easy to implement preventative measures.

Why Choose Orata Engineering?

• Calgary-based experts with local climate knowledge

• Independent, unbiased reporting—built on facts, not assumptions

• Experience across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings

If you need a Building Assessment,

look no further.

Orata’s expertise in the field of Building Engineering extends to: Commissioning, Restoration, and Forensic Building Inspection, and more.  

Book Your Building Envelope Assessment Today

Safeguard your building’s future. Contact Orata Engineering to schedule a Building Envelope Assessment in Calgary and protect your investment.

FORENSIC Engineering Services for Building ASSESSMENTS

The city of Calgary mandated building envelope assessments under the building maintenance bylaw that came into effect in January 2017. Under the new law, buildings that are five storeys or higher, as well as over ten years old, require visual assessments on exterior walls and roofing. This process aids the city in expediting its focus on identifying and proactively repairing high-risk factors and properties.

Orata’s Forensic Engineering Department assists in this process by assisting insurance and legal professionals when a Forensic Building Investigation needs to take place.

Our Senior Forensic Engineers perform a third-party non-biased investigation into the incident by gathering all documentation, including the assessments, reports and other necessary files; and if required, assemble a team required to support the investigation. From here, Orata’s experts work together, detailing the findings to the building owner or representative with clear guidance on the recommended steps.

Critical Steps & Retro Commissioning

Orata offers a retro Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx) team that has the technical expertise to review, design, evaluate, and efficiently remediate a Building’s Envelope Assembly with sustainability in mind. Orata assists commercial and industrial owners and property management groups through the entire Building Assessment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a building envelope assessment?
A building envelope assessment is a professional evaluation of your building’s exterior systems—including walls, windows, doors, roofs, and foundations. The goal is to identify current and potential issues such as leaks, drafts, or premature deterioration before they turn into costly repairs.

How often should a building envelope be assessed?
We recommend a baseline assessment every 3–5 years for most commercial buildings. However, high-value, aging, or previously problematic properties may require more frequent reviews.

What’s the difference between an assessment and a forensic investigation?
An assessment documents current conditions and highlights risks. If deeper analysis is required—such as determining the exact cause of a failure—our forensic investigation process provides a detailed expert report with analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

How much does a building envelope assessment cost in Calgary?
Costs depend on the size, type, and complexity of the building. Orata Engineering provides customized estimates based on your specific needs. Contact us for a tailored proposal.

Who benefits from building envelope assessments?
Property managers, condo boards, insurers, developers, and owners all rely on assessments to reduce liability, protect investments, and plan cost-effective maintenance or retrofits.

For more information or to book a consultation with a Building Envelope Expert, please contact us via email at info@orataengineering.com or at (403) 764-0055.