Structural Restoration in
Fort Lauderdale.

Questions from Fort Lauderdale boards and owners.

Is my Fort Lauderdale condominium subject to SB 4-D?

If your building is a condominium or cooperative three stories or higher and was completed 25 or more years ago, likely yes — depending on its specific location. Buildings within three miles of the Atlantic coast are subject to the 25-year coastal inspection under Florida Statute § 553.899; buildings further inland face a 30-year standard inspection. Fort Lauderdale Beach and most of the city's eastern half fall within the coastal threshold.

What Broward County inspection requirements apply in Fort Lauderdale?

Following the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse, Broward County adopted building safety inspection requirements that run alongside the statewide SB 4-D framework. These apply to older residential buildings across Fort Lauderdale. Boards should confirm the applicable requirements for their specific building with a Florida-licensed structural engineer or attorney familiar with Broward County ordinances.

Does Fort Lauderdale's waterway network accelerate building deterioration?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale's canals, rivers, and Intracoastal channels create elevated humidity and airborne salt exposure that extends well inland from the beach. Buildings along the New River, Las Olas Boulevard waterways, and the Intracoastal experience salt-driven chloride penetration into reinforced concrete at rates higher than comparable inland buildings — even when they are not directly oceanfront.

What's typical restoration scope in a Fort Lauderdale high-rise?

Engineering reports across Fort Lauderdale's building inventory most commonly flag chloride-driven rebar corrosion, post-tension tendon deterioration at parking and amenity decks, concrete spalling at balcony soffits and columns, and envelope failures at window perimeters and sliding door thresholds. Restoration scope typically combines concrete spall repair, rebar replacement, post-tensioning repair, balcony rebuilds, and building-envelope re-waterproofing.

Do I need an engineer before contacting CORE?

No. If your board already has a structural engineer, CORE works with them directly. If you don't have one yet, CORE connects you with its panel of partner engineers who specialize in South Florida coastal restoration. CORE is designed to be the first call.

Can residents stay during restoration in a Fort Lauderdale building?

In most cases, yes. CORE phases work stack-by-stack or floor-by-floor with phased balcony access and dust containment. Scopes that require slab access below an occupied unit may involve brief temporary relocation for that unit; CORE coordinates this with the board and affected owners in advance.

What is the typical project timeline in Fort Lauderdale?

A full structural restoration scope on an occupied Fort Lauderdale mid-rise or high-rise typically runs 90 to 180 days from mobilization to final punch. Smaller scopes close in 30 to 60 days. Timeline variables include scope depth once concrete is opened, permitting cycle time with Fort Lauderdale Building Services, and occupancy constraints.

How does Fort Lauderdale city permitting work?

Restoration work requires building permits from the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services. Fort Lauderdale has a well-resourced building department with plans examiners experienced in structural restoration scope. CORE prepares permit packages with the engineer of record at scope finalization to minimize permit cycle time.

Is post-tensioning common in Fort Lauderdale buildings?

Yes, in buildings completed from the late 1970s onward — particularly at elevated parking decks and amenity decks. Unbonded mono-strand PT is prevalent in Broward County high-rise construction; waterway humidity and salt exposure accelerate corrosion of PT strand and anchorage hardware. CORE self-performs PT repair with in-house trained crews, including emergency response for blown tendons.

What SB 4-D deadlines apply to Fort Lauderdale buildings?

Buildings that reached 25 years (coastal trigger) or 30 years (inland trigger) by December 31, 2024 were required to complete Phase I of the milestone inspection by December 31, 2024. Buildings reaching those thresholds after that date must complete Phase I within 180 days. Boards should confirm their specific trigger and deadline with their attorney and engineer.

Does CORE work on both beachfront and Intracoastal buildings in Fort Lauderdale?

Yes. CORE's scope — concrete spall repair, rebar replacement, post-tensioning, waterproofing, balcony restoration, and façade work — applies equally to oceanfront and Intracoastal-adjacent buildings. The specific conditions identified in the engineer's report drive the scope; the structural deficiencies produced by salt exposure are similar regardless of whether the building faces the ocean or the waterway.

Has CORE worked in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County?

CORE operates across the South Florida coastal corridor including Broward County and is licensed as a State of Florida Certified General Contractor. The firm has been performing structural restoration in South Florida since 2013.