We provide cause assessments, liability investigations, and scope of repairs.
We provide structural engineering services for fire damaged buildings, verify code compliance and prepare drawings for building permits.
With 3 experienced civil engineers on staff, we handle a large volume of property claims. These often involve a first party dispute over cause of damage where only named perils are insured. This is often the case on farm policies, so we must determine if building damage has resulted from wind, hail, or other named perils or is the result of deterioration, settlement or some other mechanism.
These investigations may lead to subrogation. When the cause is created by the negligence of a third party such as a contractor, then liability may rest with the builders insurance. In some cases design engineers or architects err, so their E&O insurance is called upon. The third defendant is often the municipal building department for improper plan review or inspections.
We can handle all types of structural problems from foundations to roofs. We can determine the cause of damage, identify the scope of repair, and prepare the redesign documents to obtain a permit for restoration.
We are familiar with Building Codes, Fire Codes, and the many standards which apply to building construction and maintenance. In many cases the root cause of a collapse is related to Code deficiencies, or deterioration of building materials over time.
We have experience with vibration claims from construction and blasting activities.
After a fire we often conduct a structural assessment of the damaged building to ensure it is safe prior to entry by investigators. We then proceed with reporting on demolition requirements and scope of repairs necessary to temporarily and later permanently restore the building to its pre-loss condition. This can involve preparation of engineering drawings for the contractor to submit to the municipal building department and later can involve site inspections to ensure the job is completed as designed.
We get involved in construction disputes between owners, builders, designers and others on a project, when problems occur which result in extra costs or delays. We analyze the contract documents, drawings, site notes and other materials, to determine the root cause of the problem.
We work with all types of buildings and structures, such as residential, farm, commercial, industrial, bridges, silos, garages and sheds. No matter what the problem, we are here to help and will search until the answer is found.
