About Facilities Advisors

Well maintained HOA condo buildingFacilities Advisors is a nationally recognized leader in reserve studies, capital budgeting, and facilities management consulting for community associations. Since 1982, we have provided professional reserve study services to condominium, homeowners, timeshare, high-rise, and master-planned associations throughout the United States.

Our success is built on a foundation of professional standards, technical expertise, advanced technology, and a commitment to delivering practical, reliable solutions for our clients.

The Foundation of Our Team

At Facilities Advisors, we believe exceptional service requires more than technical knowledge alone. Our team is built upon six core elements that define professional excellence:

  • Character – Strong ethical principles and professionalism
  • Standards – Adherence to recognized professional standards
  • Training – Ongoing education and technical development
  • Tools – Advanced technologies and analytical resources
  • Product – High-quality services and reporting
  • Skills, Knowledge, and Experience (SKE) – Comprehensive expertise across all aspects of reserve studies and capital budgeting

Our Core Values

Our reputation has been earned through a consistent commitment to integrity, professionalism, and client service.

  • Integrity - We maintain the highest ethical standards in every aspect of our work. Our clients depend on objective, accurate, and trustworthy analysis, and we consider that responsibility fundamental to our profession.
  • Teamwork and Trust - We foster a collaborative environment built on mutual trust, accountability, and respect. This culture allows us to attract and retain highly qualified professionals committed to excellence.
  • Respect - We are committed to treating clients, team members, and business partners with professionalism and respect at all times.
  • Responsibility - We take the time to understand each client’s objectives and provide solutions that support long-term financial and operational success.
  • Responsiveness - Timely communication and effective action are essential to successful client relationships. Our responsiveness consistently distinguishes us within the industry.
  • Client-Focused Service - We listen carefully to our clients to understand their unique needs and provide customized, practical solutions that support their goals.
  • Efficiency and Innovation - We continually improve our processes, technology, and methodologies to deliver efficient, accurate, and forward-thinking services.
  • Exceptional Performance - We are committed to exceeding expectations through professionalism, technical expertise, and continuous improvement.

Professional Standards - Facilities Advisors follows the Generally Accepted Reserve Study Principles and Standards established by the International Capital Budgeting Institute (ICBI).

Facilities Advisors CEO Gary Porter serves as President of ICBI and is the primary author of the organization’s reserve study standards. These standards were developed to promote:

  • Clarity
  • Consistency
  • Comparability

ICBI’s standards are modeled after the accounting profession’s Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), providing a framework that supports consistency and reliability throughout the reserve study profession.  The accounting professions standards are accepted universally because they provide clarity, consistency, and comparability.

Because reserve studies and capital budget reports are fundamentally financial reports, adherence to professional reporting standards is essential to producing meaningful and dependable results and was the logical framework for ICBI to adopt.

Training and Continuing Education

All Facilities Advisors team members participate in ongoing professional education through webinars, technical training programs, and in-person events covering:

  • Reserve study principles and standards
  • Capital budgeting methodologies
  • Facilities maintenance
  • Building systems and components
  • Financial reporting and modeling
  • Emerging technologies and industry practices

Many of these educational programs are available through Associated Reserve Planners (ARP), where Gary Porter has authored and taught numerous professional courses for reserve specialists.

Advanced Technology and Tools

Facilities Advisors utilizes advanced technology to improve accuracy, efficiency, and data quality throughout the reserve study process.

Our tools and technologies include:

  • Tablet-based field data collection systems
  • Proprietary reserve study software
  • Infrared imaging technology
  • Laser measurement devices
  • LiDAR scanning technology
  • High-resolution digital imaging
  • Digital building renderings and measurement systems

These technologies allow us to capture highly accurate field data while improving efficiency and consistency.

Delivering a Superior Product

The value we provide extends beyond the final report. Our “product” includes both the professional services we deliver and the quality, usability, and reliability of the reports and planning tools we provide to clients.

Our reserve studies are designed not only to satisfy statutory requirements, but also to function as practical financial planning tools that assist associations in making informed long-term decisions.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience (SKE)

Reserve studies require expertise across three distinct professional disciplines:

  1. Facilities Maintenance
  2. Valuation and Cost Analysis
  3. Financial Modeling and Reporting

Most reserve study providers possess expertise in only one of these areas. Facilities Advisors is unique in possessing comprehensive capabilities across all three.

Facilities Maintenance Expertise

Evaluating physical assets requires practical maintenance knowledge and an understanding of building systems, useful life, and maintenance cycles.

Our team includes professionals with backgrounds in:

  • Facilities management
  • Construction
  • Building systems
  • Maintenance operations
  • Contracting

Facilities Advisors also includes credentialed facilities management expertise, including the Facilities Management Professional (FMP) designation.

Valuation and Cost Analysis Expertise

Accurate reserve studies depend upon reliable valuation methodologies and proper application of cost principles.

Gary Porter has extensive valuation training and experience, including more than 50 court appearances as a valuation expert. This expertise has been integrated directly into the Facilities 7 Reserve Study software platform.

Our proprietary software incorporates advanced valuation methodologies, including:

  • Multi-data-point cost validation
  • Detailed cost element analysis
  • Automated cost database updating
  • Comparative pricing analysis

The system recognizes up to 16 separate cost elements that may apply to reserve components, helping improve pricing accuracy and consistency.

Financial Modeling and Reporting Expertise

Reserve studies are fundamentally financial planning documents. Proper preparation requires expertise in:

  • Interest and inflation calculations
  • Percent-funded analysis
  • Funding plan development
  • Financial forecasting
  • Standard financial reporting protocols

As a CPA, Gary Porter has incorporated accepted financial reporting principles directly into the ICBI standards and the Facilities 7 software platform.

Why Associations Choose Facilities Advisors

Experience - Facilities Advisors has completed reserve studies for thousands of associations nationwide. Our experience spans:

  • Condominium associations
  • Homeowners associations
  • High-rise buildings
  • Timeshare properties
  • Large-scale master-planned communities
  • Unique and specialized developments

Competitive Fees - Our advanced technology and efficient field data collection systems allow us to provide highly professional services while maintaining competitive pricing.

Responsiveness - We work closely with our clients throughout the process and remain responsive to questions, revisions, and evolving project needs.

Clear, Easy-to-Understand Reports - Our reports are designed to provide clear, practical financial guidance in an organized and understandable format. We focus on helping associations:

  • Understand current reserve status
  • Plan future expenditures
  • Prepare budgets
  • Communicate effectively with boards and homeowners

Browser-Based Software Platform - Facilities Advisors utilizes the proprietary Facilities 7 web-based reserve study platform, certified by ICBI.

As part of our services, clients receive access to the system under a one-year license agreement, allowing them to:

  • Update reserve information
  • Track changes over time
  • Maintain current reserve planning data
  • Improve long-term planning efficiency
  • Reduce future reserve study costs

Our Goals for Your Reserve Study - Our first responsibility is ensuring compliance with applicable statutory requirements. However, we believe a reserve study should serve a much greater purpose than simply satisfying legal obligations.  We believe a reserve study should function as a practical and realistic financial management tool.

To accomplish this, we work closely with association leadership and facilities personnel to understand:

  • Current maintenance practices
  • Planned future projects
  • Recently completed work
  • Anticipated expenditures
  • Long-term operational goals

While no reserve study can predict every future event, incorporating real-world maintenance planning and operational insight allows us to produce reserve studies that are practical, relevant, and useful for long-term decision-making.

Facilities Advisors is committed to helping associations develop reserve plans that are accurate, reliable, and aligned with their actual operational needs.