Question 1

What exactly is Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel Property Services Inc. is a construction-led building oversight firm focused exclusively on multi-family residential buildings. We provide structured building oversight that helps building stakeholders monitor performance, identify emerging risks, and coordinate the right professionals before issues escalate. We are the technical department most buildings need but few have.

Question 2

Are you a contractor or an engineering firm?

Accepted Answer

Neither. Sentinel operates as an independent technical oversight partner. We do not perform repairs ourselves and we do not replace your engineers or consultants. We coordinate the trades, engineers, and consultants required to keep your building performing, and we maintain the structured record that holds everyone accountable.

Question 3

How does Sentinel actually work on a building?

Accepted Answer

Every building begins with an Initial Asset Assessment to establish a clear technical baseline. Critical maintenance gaps are then addressed during a stabilization phase, bringing the building to Sentinel operating standard. Once stabilized, the building enters Quarterly Sentinel Oversight, backed by the Asset Protection Program for issues that arise between visits.

Question 4

What does Sentinel cost?

Accepted Answer

Every building is different. Sentinel scopes each engagement to the building's age, size, construction type, and current condition. Pricing is provided after an initial conversation about your property. Most engagements begin with a single Initial Asset Assessment. Contact us to start that process.

Question 5

How is Sentinel structured?

Accepted Answer

Service terms and scope are discussed during the engagement process. Building oversight requires time to be effective. Sentinel needs enough time to establish a baseline, stabilize the building, monitor developing patterns over time, and demonstrate measurable improvement in how the building is tracked and maintained.

Question 6

How often will Sentinel inspect our building?

Accepted Answer

After the Initial Asset Assessment and stabilization phase, Sentinel performs structured quarterly inspections. Between visits, the Asset Protection Program provides on-demand technical response when issues arise, so your building is never without oversight.

Question 7

What does an inspection cover?

Accepted Answer

Every inspection works through the seven areas where multi-family buildings most commonly deteriorate: roof systems, water management, building envelope, balconies and railings, landscaping and site conditions, mechanical and electrical exposure, and general exterior safety. These are the systems that historically cause the majority of failures and insurance claims.

Question 8

What happens when Sentinel finds a problem?

Accepted Answer

A consistent five-step response: the issue is documented with photos, the risk is explained with urgency level in plain language, the appropriate trades or consultants are identified, stakeholders receive clear repair options with scope and recommendations, and Sentinel can coordinate the work and verify the outcome. This prevents confusion, rushed decisions, and inflated emergency pricing.

Question 9

How does a building get started with Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Adoption is staged. Sentinel introduces the program to the building's decision-makers, reviews the property, and tailors a service agreement. Most engagements begin with a single building, and the program naturally expands as the value of structured reporting and oversight becomes clear.

Question 10

Does Sentinel make building management harder?

Accepted Answer

The opposite. Fewer emergency calls, better documentation for decision-makers and insurers, clear technical translation of complex construction issues, coordinated contractor oversight, budget justification data, and stronger insurance positioning. All without expanding internal headcount.

Question 11

Where does Sentinel operate?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel is headquartered in British Columbia, servicing properties across Greater Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, and the Fraser Valley in person. Virtual oversight is available province-wide. Expansion to additional regions is pending confirmation.

Question 12

Who owns the inspection data?

Accepted Answer

The building owner or corporation owns the inspection record. Each building has its own portal accessible to authorized stakeholders. All inspection data is hosted in Canada. If you stop working with Sentinel, you receive a full export of the building record.

Question 13

Can Sentinel also deliver the repair work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if requested. Sentinel can provide competitive pricing through its own workforce and partners, coordinate and manage work using trusted contractors, and ensure quality control through independent oversight and reporting. However, there is never an obligation to use Sentinel for repairs. The building owner can use existing trades, obtain competitive quotes, hire independent contractors, or take no immediate action. This makes Sentinel a flexible partner that strengthens your current vendor network while providing additional capability when required.

Question 14

How does Sentinel help with insurance?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel compiles maintenance and inspection records into professional documentation for insurance purposes. Photo-documented reporting demonstrates that the building is being managed responsibly and proactively, which directly supports underwriting conversations, renewals, and claims positioning. Buildings under Sentinel oversight carry structured evidence of preventative maintenance.

Question 15

Is there a conflict of interest if Sentinel identifies deficiencies and then becomes involved in correcting them?

Accepted Answer

No. Sentinel's primary role is inspection, oversight, and reporting. We are not there to create repair work or push unnecessary services. If deficiencies or areas of concern are identified, the building owner remains fully in control of what action is taken, when it is taken, and who is hired to complete the work. The owner can use existing trades, obtain competitive quotes, hire independent contractors, involve engineers, or take no immediate action if an item is not urgent. Sentinel can assist if requested, but there is no obligation to have Sentinel complete or coordinate any repair work. The decision-making always remains with the building owner.

Question 16

How does Sentinel differ from the depreciation report the building already receives?

Accepted Answer

A depreciation report is a mandatory long-term planning tool that is updated every five years. It helps the building forecast larger future repair and replacement costs, reserve fund planning, and the expected life cycle of major building components. However, a lot can change in five years. Sentinel's role is to provide the oversight between those reporting periods. We give decision-makers consistent, construction-informed support so the building is not relying only on a point-in-time report or waiting until an issue becomes large enough to demand attention. Sentinel can help identify developing concerns early, monitor known areas, review maintenance items, provide photo documentation, and guide the owner on what may require a contractor, engineer, or further investigation. In simple terms, the depreciation report helps the building plan every five years. Sentinel helps the building stay protected during the five years in between.

Question 17

How is Sentinel different from hiring individual trades?

Accepted Answer

Trades may come in, complete a specific scope of work, and leave. Sentinel remains available as an ongoing inspection and oversight resource. After trades leave, after reports are issued, and between major review periods, Sentinel can still be there to help the owner understand what is happening at the building and make informed decisions with more confidence.

Question 18

Does building management need to attend the presentation?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel is happy to present directly to decision-makers without a management representative present if preferred. If the owner would like a management partner to attend, that is completely at the building's discretion. There is no additional charge from Sentinel for either arrangement.

Questions building stakeholders actually ask.

Deterioration is inevitable.
Surprise is not.

Questions building stakeholders actually ask.

Deterioration is inevitable.Surprise is not.

Deterioration is inevitable.
Surprise is not.