Mercedes Espasandin, president of the Society of Architects of Uruguay (SAU), told Coffee & Business that although there have not been general consultations, because the movement was not of great magnitude, “You don’t have to wait for an earthquake to evaluate the constructions”. By the way, Espasandín added that it is not customary but it is recommended to talk about the structures and facilities, 2because everything has maintenance and a time of use”.
The cost of inspecting a house will depend on the type of construction, the footage and the age, he indicated, but in addition to the survey that is carried out, whether it is by eye or search, he mentioned.
The architect Gastón Scapula maintained that, taking into account the official tariffs of the SAU, the visit of an architect to do an eye check, that is, a professional who sees what state the construction is in and if there is damage that can be seen with the naked eye. sight, has a starting price of $2,500.
Then, depending on the pathologies that the construction has, such as fissures, cracks, detachment of the ceiling or detachment of the exterior floor, the price of the pathological diagnosis and repairs, the price will change.
“A pathological diagnosis is made and if a repair has to be made, a project is made to see how that can be fixed. This type of action will be charged differently depending on the architecture studio and the architect that is called,” said Scapula. In addition, the price will also affect the number of square meters that the construction has.
expertise
Liber Trindade, a specialist in non-traditional construction methods and director of the construction systems consultancy Casa Abierta, also commented that an expert opinion can cost between US$450 and US$600. It is a report that includes the observed damage, its possible causes and solutions for its repair —it does not contemplate the arrangement.
Regarding the earthquake in Canelones, Trindade asserted: “I think we have to take away the drama, especially since then those who can take advantage of the situation appear.”
According to the specialist, “no doubt cracks will appear that were always therebut that people have lived with them for a long time, and all this information will make them raise their heads or look behind some piece of furniture that hasn’t been moved for a long time”.
“This is the reality and nobody cares,” he concluded.
to be vigilant
Scapula added that although the tremor in Atlántida did not affect the houses, from what has been reported so far, something did raise an alert and it is the possibility that events like these could be repeated in the future.
“We have a different scenario, because we do not take possible earthquakes into account when building in Uruguay, not only do we not think about it, but it is not usual to calculate for that when building,” he said, and called for attention to how the academy and unions linked to the architecture and construction sector express themselves.
