Restoration - Fire / Water / Mold Consultants

Advanced Building Consultants provides expert services for a wide range of Construction and Environmental issues. Their clients include homeowners, insurance companies, businesses, and attorneys. Advanced Building Consultants serves clients throughout the Southeastern United States.

Construction Services: Construction Management Building Codes Building Construction Roofing Cost Estimating

Environmental Services: Causation and Origin Healthy Habitat Remediation Damage Estimates

Principal, Clinton J. Ford, MS, ACA, CGC, CIAQM, CIE, CMR, CRMI, is a former Continuing Education Sponsor for the Florida Construction Licensing Board and has been a licensed Florida Certified General Contractor since 1981. He has many years of construction experience on projects ranging from $5,000 to $50,000,000 and has been providing consulting and expert witness work for both construction and environmental issues since 1994.

Mr. Ford has obtained both field experience and education in the following four distinct but often related disciplines of Construction, Environmental, Real Estate and Insurance, and holds many titles and over thirty years of construction experience with twenty-five years as a State Certified General Contractor.

Over the years Mr. Ford has combined his extensive construction knowledge with cause and origin of water intrusion and environmental issues offering an exceptional understanding of Building Science and its relationship to contamination from biological agents such as toxic mold, mycotoxins, bacteria and endotoxin’s.

View Clinton Ford's Expert Witness Profile.

Peter Petrovsky, PE, CE, ME , has provided services as a consultant and an expert witness in applied Civil and Mechanical Engineering Science, Building, Infrastructure, and Earthwork Contracting. His strength and experience is to successfully combine engineering and applied mechanics with the field experience and contracting skills. He packages civil, mechanical engineering, as well as, general, engineering, earthwork and paving and hazardous waste contracting into one package for the use of his clients. His services also include construction job site safety in fire prevention and personnel protection. 

Litigation Support - Mr. Petrovsky's shirtsleeve approach to problem solving gives him the ability to distill complex technical issues to a palatable presentation in the appropriate forum. Serving the legal industry for 25 years, he has been retained in over 600 plaintiff and defense cases, been deposed over 200 times, and given testimony approximately 100 times. Mr. Petrovsky's services include testing and analysis, trial preparation case analysis, deposition review and expert summary, evidence presentation, consulting, report writing, court exhibits, static and computer depictions, construction and engineering contract analysis, accident reconstruction, and interpretation of administrative regulations. He has assisted counsel on cases in California, New York, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Nevada. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Design: Machine safety and guarding, Strength of materials, wood, metals, plastics
• Materials Issues and Failure Analysis: Mechanisms, components and machinery; Pressure testing, fatigue analysis
• Accident Investigations: Heavy equipment accidents, bulldozers, backhoes, excavators; Cranes, lifts, manipulators
• Air conditioning and Refrigeration: Thermography services and analysis
• Civil Engineering: Design of Buildings; Residential, industrial, commercial site plans; Land development, site preparation and paving, drilling and boring; Public and private roadways, sidewalks, ramps, parking lots, lighting; Septic systems, sewers, public sewer blockage and stoppage; Scaffolds & scaffolding erection and accidents; Retaining walls and retaining wall failure; Foundation failure / structural damage; Plumbing leaks, water intrusion, explosions; Earthquake Damage Assessment and Remediation; Construction Disputes / Insurance claims; Stucco defects and failures; Job site fire prevention industry standards

Jay R. Carow, AIA, Carow Architects Plus

Mr. Jay Carow has been a design principal in Architectural and Planning firms for more than thirty-five years and taught university courses in architectural design and history for twelve years. He holds professional architectural degrees from both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Over the past twenty years Mr. Carow has provided expert witness services on more than forty cases dealing with slip, trip and fall accidents, design and construction malpractice, material or design defects, non-compliance with codes, construction defects, and building safety violations. Mr. Carow’s litigation support experience includes the preparation of expert witness opinion and appearances at depositions and trials for both defendants and plaintiffs.

He has been a principal in architectural firms since 1969 and been the sole proprietor of his own firm since 1989. He has twelve years’ experience in the teaching of Architectural Design and Construction, three of which were at the rank of full professor as the founding dean of degree-granting programs in architecture, planning and building technology for a national university. His experience in both teaching and practice brings credibility to his testimony, and an ability to describe technical issues clearly and convincingly. He is a registered architect in multiple states.

To learn more about Jay R. Carow and his firm, click the link above. Or contact Mr. Carow directly:
New York Region: (203) 313-6581
Chicago Regions: (312) 814-9000
Email: info@carow.com

Midwest Regional Office 819 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 700 Chicago, IL 60605 Telephone: 312-814-9000

New York City and New England Office 712 South Britain Road Southbury, CT 06488 Telephone: 203-313-6581

View Jay R. Carow's Expert Witness Profile.

Complete General Contractors, Inc., is a licensed General Contracting Construction Firm working throughout the Southeast for insurance companies, property owners, property managers, attorneys, and municipalities. They specialize in the cost estimation and causation of large loss complex property claims.

Services Include:

• Appraisal and Mediation Services - Fire, wind, flood, storm, hail, and water losses to residential, commercial, or industrial properties
• General Contracting Services - Restoration or general construction, commercial construction, or industrial construction projects all over the United States. Manage vendors and trades, handle project documents, and serve as an authority for project information to all parties throughout the construction process

John G. Minor, President of Complete General Contractors, is a third-generation Contractor and licensed instructor certified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He is a recognized expert on the costs and applications necessary to repair buildings damaged by manufacturer, builder liability, water damage or intrusion, mold, or asbestos.

Mr. Minor has provided for the successful restoration of millions of dollars in insurance restoration, building failures, and difficult repairs originating from defective construction practices and materials such as fire, wind, water, mold and mildew. His services were in demand for restoration on custom buildings on Bald Head Island.

In addition to managing the business of Complete, Inc., John Minor teaches classes on mold and mildew remediation and prevention through proper building practices to a variety of clients thru Lorman Educational Services and other professional trainers.

View John Minor's Expert Witness Profile.

Construction Services and Investigations, Inc. (CSI) has the field experience, acquired technical skills, and credentials to assist clients on construction projects. CSI serves a vast array of client profiles from insurance claim representatives, attorneys, builders, developers, real estate brokers, business owners, homeowner associations, property management/asset managers, commercial and residential general contractors, subcontractors, and more.

Consulting Services:

• Construction Project Management
• Construction (Commercial and Residential) - New Construction or Remodel, Tenant Improvements, Additions, Manage Consultants, Permitting, Construction Drawings, Specifications Review, Contractual Agreements, Scope of Work Documentation, On-Site Construction Management, OSHA Reporting, Quality Assurance, 3rd Party Independent Analysis
• ADA Compliance Repairs - Interior / Exterior (curbs, ramps, asphalt, stairs)
• Concrete Moisture Suppression Systems - KOSTERS VAPI 2000 & NB1 for Retaining Walls

Randall S. Stout, Founder of Construction Services and Investigations, Inc (aka CSI Inc.) provides Expert Witness services for Construction Defect, Personal Injury, and Reconstruction Litigation Projects.

Over the past 35 years, Mr. Stout has mastered his construction knowledge holding such positions as director of purchasing, director of special projects, and director of construction while working for several large construction development companies. He holds both a "General Engineering" "A" License and a General Contracting 'B" License with the California State Licensing Board. Mr. Stout is certified with the ICC as a "Combo Building Inspector" for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. He is also interested in Green Building Concepts and is LEED GA Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) with the United States Green Building Council. Mr. Stout has been trained to perform ASTM Concrete Slab Moisture Testing to identify interior flooring failures installed on concrete slabs.

Northern California Office CSI, Inc 101 Parkshore Drive Suite 100 Folsom, CA 95630 Office: 916-932-7146 Fax: 916-932-2001

Southern California Office CSI, Inc 17901 Von Karman Ave Suite 600 Irvine, CA 92614 Office: 949-556-8743 Fax: 949-556-8701

View Randall Stout's Expert Witness Profile.

The Diehl Group Architects, Inc. is a full-service design and consulting firm specializing in Forensic Architecture, quality assurance, and expert witness testimony. Their services `include:

• Architectural Design - With years of traditional architectural design experience includes residential, commercial, and institutional projects, they focus on unusually challenging building types, including aviation aircraft and pilot support facilities, a contemporary single family home, and support services for a subterranean wine cellar
• Quality Assurance - Identifying potential shortcomings of construction documents prior to breaking ground which allows them to review drawings before construction even begins and continue to monitor building techniques and processes to provide compliance and ensure construction accountability
• Construction Administration - Monitor construction schedules, cost, progress and quality while providing support services such as instruction or clarification to contractors as required
• Reconstruction Services - Reconstruction designs and building details solve existing problems while addressing future needs. By evaluating a range of building methods and materials through their forensic engagements, their team possesses a unique advantage over traditional architecture firms
• Forensic Architecture - The Diehl Group Architects, Inc. goes beyond standard investigative methods and procedures with state of the art technologies to ensure accurate reporting, lower costs, and side-step unnecessary intrusive testing methods
• Expert Witness Testimony - Diehl has a broad range of experience as designated architectural experts for plaintiff parties and developers in defense of plaintiff parties, in addition to a host of sub contractor disciplines

President, John (Jack) P. Diehl, AIA NCARB LEED AP, has over 40 years of experience as an Architect. Mr. Diehl currently specializes in Forensic Architecture and Construction Defects. He is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

Mr. Diehl is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and the International Code Council (ICC). He is also a LEED AP Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Construction Document Technician, and General Contractor California, "B" License.

View Jack Diehl's Expert Witness Profile.

DM Bekus Construction is a New Jersey Home Design, Construction, and Remodeling Contractor. For over 30 years they've been helping homeowners throughout the area improve properties and build homes. DM Bekus Construction delivers high quality, reliable construction services that help homeowners get more pleasure and enjoyment from their homes and buildings.

Services Include:

New Home Construction Interior Remodeling Exterior Remodeling

Construction Project Management Homeowner Association Construction Expert Witness Services

Principal, David M. Bekus has over 35 years in the Construction Industry specializing in home design, construction, and remodeling. He offers services to homeowner associations, housing communities, townhome complexes, property managers, and individuals.

Mr. Bekus is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a building inspector (RCS, ICS, and HHS), a licensed home remodeler, and a licensed new home builder. He is also certified in Project Management, Cost Estimating, Construction Methods, Construction Site Safety, and is a EPA Lead Safe Certified Contractor.

Mr. Bekus has been a project manager, overseeing all aspects of construction from conception and approvals to final sales for single homes and developments. He has designed and built over 100 custom homes.

View David Bekus' Expert Witness Profile.

Drebelbis Engineering is an Architectural and Engineering firm specializing in Forensic Engineering. Their combined background in architecture, engineering, and business make Drebelbis Engineering uniquely qualified to address the complexities found in forensic engineering assignments.

A Dallas-based company founded in 1996, their focus is structural, architectural and civil engineering as applied to buildings and site systems. They bring technical engineering knowledge, testimony, and remedy when construction fails to perform and when construction processes derail.

Principal, James R. Drebelbis, AIA, PE, is an Architect and Structural Engineer with over 40 years of experience in all phases of building construction and performance, project management, and producing documents for building construction (drawings, specifications, change orders).

Litigation Support - Mr. Drebelbis specializes in Forensic Engineering for attorneys and insurance companies. His understanding of building types and construction systems includes site construction and earth retaining structures as well as residential, commercial, manufacturing, and institutional buildings.

Mr. Drebelbis is retained for Cause and Origin of Structural Failures and disputes about construction performance that often emphasize the obvious (leaks, cracks, collapses). His expertise is available to attorneys representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. Services include engineering investigation, documentation, testimony, and preparation of Certificates of Merit.

Education/Licenses: - BS Arch. Engineering, MBA, Professional Engineer (Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico), Architect (Texas)

Areas of Technical Experience and Expertise:

Construction Technology Building Codes Forensic Engineering Fire, Weather, Disaster Related Damage Roofing & Waterproofing Systems Water and Moisture Intrusion Stair Construction Performance of Building Materials Retaining Structures Application of Building Materials

Selection of Building Materials Structural Engineering Site and Building Drainage Foundation Design Soil Behavior Concrete Workmanship and Design Contract Documents Professional Ethics Slip, Trip, Fall Corrective Construction

Erickson Structural Consulting Engineers, PC, (Erickson Structural) is a consulting Structural Engineering firm focused upon existing structures, including forensic investigations of buildings, structural construction defects and design error assessments, remediation designs of distressed buildings, structural analyses of existing buildings, designs of structural renovations and modifications to existing buildings, evaluations of insurance claims involving structural loss, and seismic evaluations and rehabilitation of existing buildings. Services Include:

• Structural Analyses of Existing Buildings
• Structural Renovations of Existing Buildings
• Remediation Designs for Structurally Distressed Buildings
• Seismic Evaluations & Rehabilitations of Existing Buildings
• Structural Forensic Investigations

Brandon W. Erickson, PE, SE, principal of Erickson Structural, has over 22 years of experience in  Structural Engineering. Mr. Erickson received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University and his M.S. in Structural Engineering from Stanford University. Mr. Erickson is licensed in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, California, Idaho, Utah, Alaska, Montana, Arizona and Nevada. Mr. Erickson's main office is located in the Portland, Oregon metro area. Mr. Erickson also maintains a satellite office in Kihei, Hawaii, from which he provides services throughout the state of Hawaii. Mr. Erickson has published several articles on such topics as Seismic Upgrades and Building Failures. He has been engaged to speak about Structural Engineering issues at universities and professional conferences around the nation. View Brandon Erickson's Expert Witness Profile.

Julian Forbes-Laird is a Chartered Arboriculturist, Arboricultural Association Registered Consultant, experienced Expert Witness and Principal Consultant of Forbes-Laird Arboricultural Consultancy Ltd. Mr. Forbes-Laird has a professional practice working throughout the UK and overseas. He covers all aspects of arboriculture, specializing in planning, tree safety and litigation related matters.

Mr. Forbes-Laird is supported by a team of regionally based consultants, giving him national and international reach. He sets the standard for client service, works throughout the UK and abroad, provides commercially realistic strategic advice, prepares sensitive yet practical management plans, works within project design teams to evolve arboriculturally defensible layouts, wins planning appeals, and handles an enormous amount of work under pressing deadlines helping clients' achieve the best outcome. 

Mr. Forbes-Laird is widely recognised as an authority on legal issues pertaining to trees and is an experienced Expert Witness. His expert services include Pre-Action Case Evaluation, TPO Prosecutions, Forensic Accident Investigation and Tree Root Damage to Buildings. Other Services Include:

• Planning for Developers and Local Authorities
• Tree Preservation Orders (TPO's)
• Safety Inspections
• Subsidence
• Expert Witness
• Landscape Design

Paul Gentosi, CFLC, FEWA has over 45 years of very diverse and extensive General Contracting experience from journeyman tradesman to upper-level management throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. He has general contracting experience in varied disciplines including commercial, industrial and multi-family construction. Construction Managemen and Construction Oversight- Mr. Gentosi and his team at Gentosi Construction Consulting & Litigation Support have been providing CM and construction oversight services for over 10 years.  We are hands-on handling entitlement, construction document preparation, permitting and construction. With four decades of experience, they are in a strong position to provide services to developers, owner-builders and other professionals in the industry. Couple this vast experience with his 45 years as a General Contractor, there is not much that escapes his view. We make the perfect fiduciary for the user.

Areas of Expertise:

Construction defects investigations, including site inspections, destructive testing, standard of care analysis and cost estimating Construction Management and Construction Oversight All general building codes, interpretation Contracts / breach of contract issues and claims Delay claims, including scheduling and cost analysis Water intrusion investigations Developing repair recommendations and solutions Bidding repair recommendations and solutions

Implementing repair recommendations and solutions Construction Defect Contract Disputes Claims Building Code Interpretation Standard of Care / Industry Standards Cost of Repair Water Intrusion Implementation of Repairs

View Paul Gentosi's Expert Witness Profile.

Hastak Consulting Services is a Construction Engineering and Management firm established by Prof. Makarand (Mark) Hastak, PhD, PE, CCP, CRIS, Professor and the Dernlan Family Head of Construction Engineering and Management as well as Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. Dr. Hastak offers consulting services to clients around the world in the following areas:

• Project Controls and Risk Management
• Process Improvement of Capital Projects
• Profitability Improvement and Construction Analytics
• Process Improvement for Factory Built Housing
• Capital Rehabilitation Planning
• Strategic planning and decision-making for resolving project complexities
• Planning for Disaster Mitigation, Resilience, and Capacity Building

Dr. Hastak has been involved with the construction industry for the past 32 years providing his expertise through consulting, research, teaching, and service to the industry. He is a world renowned expert in the area of construction engineering and management including process improvement, disaster risk reduction, resilience and capacity building, infrastructure management, factory built housing, intelligent planning for the built environment, cost control, project management decision-making, risk management, contracts and warranties, and strategic planning. Dr. Hastak is a Professional Engineer (PE), a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), and a Certified Cost Professional (CCP). Dr. Hastak has given over 40 keynotes and invited lectures around the world. As a prominent educator, he also engages in developing training material and workshops as well as regularly teaching professional courses for the A/E/C industry. He has completed the 30-Hour OSHA Hazard Recognition Training for the Construction Industry. His services include consultation, on-site investigation, data collection, assessment, and reporting. Dr. Hastak Lectures at the 2015 International Conference on Building Resilience

Prof. Hastak has worked on numerous projects sponsored by the Construction Industry Institute (CII), NSF, State DOTs, and City Agencies. He has authored over 200 publications on process improvement, project controls, capital rehabilitation planning, strategic planning, and decision-making. He has co-authored a widely used book on Infrastructure Planning, Engineering, and Economics (McGraw-Hill 2006 and 2015). Dr. Hastak served on the Education Board of the Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering (2004-2016). He was Editor for two AACE books, the Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering (6th Ed. 2015) and the CCP Certification Study Guide (2nd Ed. 2016). He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering (2009-2016). View Dr. Hastak's Expert Witness Profile.

Dennis E. Wilson has over forty years of experience in Land Planning, Civil Engineering, and Land Surveying. His company, Horizon Consulting Service, specializes in Entitlements, In-Fill Projects, Civil Engineering, and Land Planning and Design for commercial, industrial and residential properties. Mr. Wilson works on both private and governmental projects. As an Expert Witness, Mr. Wilson has participated in property line disputes, condemnation resolutions and land use issues. 

Professional Memberships:

• American Planning Association
• Past Chair of Land Use Committee, National Association of Home Builders
• Past Chair Land Use & Government Affairs, California Building Industry Association
• Past Chair of BIACC PAC
• Past Chair/Current Member on Land Use & Transportation Committee, Modesto Chamber of Commerce

John Gillies is a Chartered Building Surveyor and the Senior Director of Johnson Gillies. Mr. Gillies is frequently involved in dilapidation assessments for Landlords and Tenants. In addition, he is often called upon to produce opinions and evidence in matters of dispute. Mr. Gillies provides Expert Witness reports for legal issues and appears in Court as an expert on construction and related matters.


The firm's Building Consultancy and Expert Services Include:

Surveys: Building, Homebuyer, Vendor, and Measured Surveys. Planned Maintenance, Defects Analysis, and Due Diligence Investigations.

Audits: Fire, Health and Safety, Environmental, Access, and Commercial EPC.

Development Consultancy: Development Monitoring, Party Walls, Planning, Rights of Light.

Construction Consultancy: Contract Administration, Design, Employers Agent, Feasibility Study, Fit Outs, New Build, CDM Co-ordination, Project Management, Refurbishment, Repair & Maintenance.

Landlord & Tenant: Dilapidations, Services and Charges, Licences and Alterations, Photographic Schedules, Schedules of Condition.

Dispute Resolution: Expert Witness, Adjudication, and Arbitration of:

Building Contract Disputes

Cost and Quality of Building Works Disputes

Expert Reports

Legal Evidence at Court

Insurance: Building Reinstatement Valuations and Insurance Loss Assessing.

Legal Eagle Contractors, Co. is an award-winning full-service Residential Remodeling Company serving Southwest Houston since 1978. They offer professional design and construction services ranging from:

Room Additions Kitchen Remodeling Bathroom Remodeling Replacement Windows Garage Conversions Attic Conversions

Siding Interior Sheetrock Repair / Painting Exterior Carpentry and Painting Garage Doors and Fancy Front Doors Countertops Lighting Design

Principal, Daniel D. Bawden, GMB, CAPS, CGR, CGP, JD, has over 35 years of experience in the Construction Industry. He is a Graduate Master Builder, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and a Certified Green Building Professional.

Mr. Bawden serves as an accredited Instructor for the National Association of Home Builders, certifying other builders in his own specialties. He earned both his Bachelor’s degree and Law degree from Baylor University. He is currently serving as Vice Chair of the NAHB Remodelers Council, on track to be the national spokesman for the remodeling industry in 2017.

Mr. Bawden has been quoted and regularly appear in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Money Magazine, Consumer Reports, Forbes, Better Homes & Gardens, and many more consumer publications. He has made regular appearances on HGTV, and local TV live call-in radio shows in Houston. Mr. Bawden is the only builder who sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Better Business Bureau. He speaks at senior groups and support groups around town on Aging in Place design.

View Dan Bawden's Expert Witness Profile.