Restoration - Fire / Water / Mold Consultants: 20

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

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.

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

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

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.

2. 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

Indian River Construction Services, Inc., offers many services to Home Owners, Home Owner Associations, Property Managers, and Building Owners. The most licensed construction firm in the state of Florida, they consult on project and building plans to help determine suitability, feasibility and cost controls for:

New Construction - Construction Repairs - Construction Additions - Construction Remodeling - Real Estate Improvements

Indian River Construction also has extensive experience in performing Insurance Adjusting Services as Florida Licensed Public Insurance Adjusters. This means they work for you and not for the insurance company, allowing them to get the best possible insurance settlement from insurance claims, whether that be a fire, flood, or hurricane. 

Andrew Allocco, PE, Principal at Indian River Construction Services is a leading Construction Consultant, Florida Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, and Real Estate Broker. With over 45 years of experience in his fields of expertise, Mr. Allocco's services are sought by individuals, corporations, developers, and law firms to oversee and advise on construction projects. He is the current owner of construction, real estate, and engineering consulting firms.

Background Experience - Mr. Allocco is the President of Indian River Construction Services, Inc. Prior to his current role, he served as the President of Better Homes Construction Services, Inc. of Miami, Florida, which performed in excess of 40,000 Building Inspections. A Forensic Consulting Engineer, he inspects Commercial, Residential, and Industrial Facilities before, during, and after construction. He assists property owners with complex insurance claims, some of which involve significant and lengthy litigation

Mr. Allocco is not only licensed in the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer and Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, he holds more licenses both presently active and past than any other individual in the State, including:

BA, SUNY Maritime College, Marine Nuclear Engineering Florida Licensed Professional Engineer Florida Certified General Contractor Florida Certified Mechanical Contractor Florida Certified Air Conditioning Contractor Florida Certified Roofing Contractor

Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor Florida Certified Electrical Contractor Florida Certified Commercial Swimming Pool & Spa Contractor Florida Licensed Home Inspector Florida Licensed Solar Contractor Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker

View Andrew Allocco's Expert Witness Profile.

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.

PSFEG's consultant Engineers & Scientists have been providing extensive Structural, Forensic Engineering, Expert Consulting, and Building Code / Third Party Review services since the 80's. They have offices in 5 Continents, 8 Countries and 22 Cities, including LA, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Irvine, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Seattle, Las Vegas, Reno, Denver, Houston, Washington DC, Washington, New York, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, Chile, and Qatar.

Chief Expert, Casey K. Hemmatyar, SE, is a Forensic Structural Engineer with over 30 years of diversified experience in the field of Structural, civil, and forensic engineering in design, investigation, evaluation, research, building code and standards development and construction supervision. Mr. Hemmatyar has provided failure analysis, expert consultation, structural forensic investigation, damage assessment services for many litigation and insurance related matters. He has been principal structural engineer on projects for clients such as NASA and several other high profile agencies.

Assignments - Mr. Hemmatyar's assignments have included new buildings, special structures, as well as modifications, alterations, seismic / wind retrofits, and upgrades. Structures have included schools/higher education, telecommunication, hospitals/healthcare, government, recreational, laboratories, commercial, industrial and residential structures in concrete, steel, timber/wood, masonry, aluminum, glass, light-gage steel and other construction materials.

Media - Mr. Hemmatyar has been interviewed by public media including H2 History Channel (Collapse of Ancient Structures) and Reuters (Mexico City school collapse) on structural engineering issues. He has provided many technical lectures, presentations, webinars for structural engineering, architectural, and Building Official communities.

View Casey Hemmatyar's Expert Witness Profile.

Mark C. Vanderslice has been actively involved in virtually all phases of the Roofing and Waterproofing industries since 1978. Mr. Vanderslice is an active member of RCI, Inc. (formerly The Roof Consultants Institute). In 1984 Mr. Vanderslice was the 16th (to receive certification) of currently 426 nationally recognized Registered Roof Consultants in the United States from a professional membership of over 2,800.

Roofing & Waterproofing Forensics, Inc. has investigated over 5,000 roofing or waterproofing systems over the past 25 years. They specialize in finding leaks and making recommendations for permanent repair. Because of his reputation for accuracy, fairness, and truthfulness, Mr. Vanderslice is often called for the more “challenging” projects, investigating literally hundreds of wind and earthquake damage claims as it relates to roofing. He is also called on to solve long-term problems that have confounded others and have not been fixed. His clients are building owners, facility and property managers, major universities, architects, general contractors, insurance claims adjusters, and attorneys.

Mr. Vanderslice's commitment is to provide thorough and factual information utilizing state-of-the art technology as well as years of experience, education and success. He uses state-of-the-art equipment for leak investigation and documentation, including moisture meters, boroscope, digital still cameras, etc. His Consulting Services Include:

Existing Properties:

• Leak investigation
• Failure analysis
• Wind, earthquake and water intrusion damage claims investigation
• Roofing and waterproofing system evaluation
• Budgetary estimates
• Roofing and waterproofing system evaluation for commercial property acquisitions
• Development of roofing and waterproofing maintenance programs

New Construction and Re-roofing/Waterproofing Project Management:

• Specification development
• Review of existing construction documents
• Project Management
• Bid Administration – Bid review, contractor evaluation and reference check, submittal review
• Pre-Bid Meeting with prospective Contractors
• Pre-Job Meeting with Construction Team
• In-field, full-time or periodic inspections of virtually all types of roofing and waterproofing systems material application
• Final Inspection
• Verification of Completion of Final Punch List

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John D. Shepherd, RRC, RROis the principal of Shepherd Consulting Services, a Building Envelope, Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exterior Walls construction forensic consulting firm, and the Building Envelope Institute, a firm that develops education programs for construction professionals (consultants, architects , engineers, con- tractors, etc.). Mr. Shepherd has been consulting for 17 years and has been active in the construction industry for over 40 years, including 10 as a roofing contractor. He is an RCI Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) and RRO, a Haag Certified Commer- cial/Residential Roof Inspector, and a certified building science thermographer.

Over his career in the industry, Mr. Shepherd has conducted thousands of building envelope investigations including those related to leak investigations, construction defect, property assessment inspections, and property damage claims. Through Thermal Imaging of America, a Division of Sheperd Consulting Services, Mr. Shepherd uses Thermal Imaging and various moisture meters to accurately locate the cause of moisture intrusion into a residential or commercial building.

Mr. Shepherd is a noted author speaker in his field of expertise. He has been delivering presentations on Roofing and Waterproofing nationally for approximately 15 years. He has served on the board of directors for both RCI, Inc. and the SoCal Chapter of RCI, and has served on a number of committees in RCI and on ASTM International.

Consulting Services Include:

• Roof Surveys
• Replacement Cost Analysis
• Life Cycle Analysis
• Specification and Detail Review / Development
• Leak Investigations - Cause and Origin

View Expert Witness Profile.