The structural integrity of our buildings is never something we can take lightly, especially in a place like South Florida where our buildings are constantly in contact with the sun, wind and ocean. Considering even the strongest and most durable materials degrade over time, it’s imperative to the safety of our buildings’ residents and our community that we keep them in strong, stable condition.

The 40-year recertification program in counties like Miami-Dade and Broward is one of the checks and balances used to ensure our buildings are strong and people are safe.

What to Know About 40-Year Recertifications in South Florida

Following the condo collapse in Surfside [link to first blog], the importance of building inspections has taken on even more urgency. Miami-Dade County has strengthened its recertification requirements effective January 2022. Broward County also has stringent requirements in place for commercial properties.

As your commercial property nears 40 years, it will be subject to the recertification process (and at every 10-year interval thereafter), pursuant to Section 8-11(f) of the Code of Miami-Dade County. Once you receive a Notice of Required Recertification, you have just 90 days to submit the report, which must be prepared by a professional engineer or architect.

Why You Should Act Now

Ninety days is not a long time in the construction world, and if your building is nearing 40 years old, it’s very likely that at least some upgrades or replacements will need to be made in order to sustain its structural integrity.

You want to plan ahead for these major upgrades so you have a feasible budget in place to tackle them. Moreover, you want to have time to effectively complete the required work prior to the recertification deadline. Some structural work can take months or longer to complete.

At Seacoast Construction, we partner with qualified engineers to ensure the ongoing safety of your building as it enters the next phase of its life. Professional engineers create detailed reports highlighting the structural condition of a building, and our team prices and completes the work that has to go with it.

If you have questions about Miami-Dade and Broward Counties’ recertification requirements or want to schedule a meeting to discuss your property, get in touch with our team at Seacoast Construction.