Looking Ahead to 2026: Why a “Plan B” for Exterior Repairs Matters More Than Ever
As we look ahead to 2026, many owners and asset managers are already finalizing budgets for exterior building repairs. In some cases, those budgets are clearly defined and locked in—which is great. You know what you have to work with, and planning can move forward with confidence.
In other cases, however, 2026 budgets aren’t quite as firm as they may appear.
What we saw repeatedly in 2025 was this: exterior repair scopes were thoughtfully planned early, but unforeseen capital needs elsewhere—interior renovations, mechanical failures, life-safety issues, or ownership-driven reprioritization—reduced or reallocated the funds originally intended for the building envelope. When that happened, many clients were suddenly asking for alternatives that fit a new budget reality.
The clients who navigated these changes most successfully had one thing in common: a Plan B.
By having alternate scopes already evaluated—prioritized repairs, phased approaches, and cost-adjusted options—they were able to pivot quickly. They locked in revised funding, addressed the most critical exterior issues, and strategically deferred lower-risk items without losing momentum or control of the asset.
Those without a contingency plan were often left frustrated, scrambling to re-scope work late in the process, or worse—pushing important repairs out another year.
At Melrose Enterprises, we help clients plan for this reality upfront. That means assessing conditions early, identifying critical versus deferrable items, and developing multiple execution paths that align with different budget scenarios. When ownership or asset management makes last-minute changes—as they often do—you’re ready with a solution, not starting from scratch.
The goal isn’t just to get work done. It’s to stay ahead of the building, protect the asset, and maintain progress—even when the numbers change.
If 2026 planning is underway, now is the time to make sure you have more than one path forward.