STRUCTURAL REPAIRS: EXPERTS?

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann

Published October 13, 2026

The new so-called “CONDO SAFETY LAWS” are obviously the golden Parachute for contractors. Many associations are finally forced to have the structural repairs done they ignored for many years. Some folks quickly realized that it’s too late to do these repairs since they would be more expensive than the whole building is worth. But there are already developers waiting to buy these properties if they are located in a “good” area.

Other associations are trying to do what the new laws are forcing them to do. But here comes the catch: Who determines what really needs to be done, what are the actual costs and which contractor is the right choice?

Make no mistake: A wide majority of board members have not the faintest idea about structural repairs, contracts offered by contractors and the quality of work that should be used. Board members can check insurance and licenses of contractors, but that’s about it. The board can use the association attorney to look at the contract before being signed, but that’s about as far as they can influence the process.

Now the community association manager enters the picture: Many management contracts contain clauses that require the association to pay a certain percentage of the repair contract to the CAM (community association manager). That’s actually a total ridiculous demand: Minimum 90% of all CAMs have as little knowledge about the quality of such a repair job as the wide majority of board members: NONE! The big question: Why paying a CAM for “supervising” such a repair job?

Picking the right contractor?

Florida Condo Laws (FS 718) require the association to get three bids for such repair jobs. These contracts are often worth millions of dollars – meaning huge kickbacks are on the table. And we have seen in recent times enough reports about arrests for scams and fraud regarding structural repairs. And I bet these arrests are only a small percentage of what is really going on behind closed doors.

And if the work is finally done, did the association actually get the quality job they have paid for? A new paint job actually may look great, but what is actually hiding behind the paint job? The inspectors from the building department have to sign off after inspections. But how good – and honest – are these inspections really? Some of these contractors seem to have really “good” relationships with these inspectors.

There are a lot of Ifs and Buts connected to these “structural repairs” required by these new “SAFETY LAWS”. Are they really helping the cause and who is actually profiting from all these new laws?

Who knows? Time will tell! I think even the legislators don’t really know what’s all in the Pandora’s box they opened with these laws.