Expert Details
Construction Deficiencies and Building Code Compliance
ID: 734831
Virginia, USA
Expert provides thorough construction defect inspection and forensic investigative services, ranging from one room to an entire house, to identify construction issues, defects, or violations that may come into play in a construction dispute.
He has leveraged his extensive knowledge and expertise of building and construction practices and job-site health and safety to provide consumers and the legal community with relevant opinions, professional advice, and expert testimony.
Specialties include:
- Building Pathology
- Building Codes
- EIFs and Stucco
- Home Energy Performance
- Insulation and Attic Ventilation
- Infrared Thermography
- Water and Air Infiltration
- Moisture Management
- Failed Shower Systems
- Exotic Hardwoods
- Vapor Retarders/Barriers
- Frozen Water Pipe Issues
- Structural Performance
- Siding and Rain Screens
- Forensic Expert Witness Services
Summary:
- Commercial Building Contractor
- Residential Building Contractor
- Certified Forensic Consultant
- 50+ OSHA Training Hours
- Virginia Class A Contractor
- District of Columbia General Contractor
- Inspector for Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing
- FEMA Training
- Notary Public
Expert provides thorough construction defect inspection and forensic investigative services, ranging from one room to an entire house, to identify construction issues, defects, or violations that may come into play in a construction dispute. Expert looks at designs, structures, materials, and installation processes, to understand and identify issues relating to construction procedures, code violations, material defects, site conditions, and quality of construction, down to the most subtle detail. In many cases, evidence produced in our inspection can be used to mitigate a case or lead to its resolution without going to attorneys or court.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2018 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Foundations of Courtroom Testimony – 16 Hour Course | Institution: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) |
| Year: 2018 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC) | Institution: American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI) |
| Year: 2018 | Degree: Certificate | Subject: I-Codes | Institution: International Code Council (ICC) |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2002 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Providing consulting services, general contracting, project management, and job site safety, serving corporate and private clientele. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business, including site supervision, office administration, finance, budgeting, and marketing. Work with local, state, and federal officials to ensure regulatory compliance.Successful completion of hundreds of unique and custom projects. Experience and background range from high-end new custom home construction, interior renovations and additions, green building and energy-efficient homes, commercial work, historical renovations, timber-framing, and creating elaborate custom interiors in prestigious estate-sized homes. Highlights include: - Project management and consulting for VMW Interior Supply, LTD. Acted as a liaison between VMW Interior Supply and general contractor John Moriarty and Associates. Projects included a $1.2 million, 269 unit apartment high-rise in Arlington, Virginia, and a $1.5 million 107 room luxury suite and spa in Alexandria, Virginia. Duties included generating take-offs, presenting estimates, managing project budgets, overseeing project teams, ensuring adherence to blueprints, technical drawings, and precision fit and finish - Contracted to install custom interior finishes and millwork in several very unique and prominent Virginia and Maryland estate homes with budgets ranging from $1.5 -$6.5 million, including Salamander Farm in Middleburg, Virginia - Contracted for high-end residential remodeling. Responsible for total demolition and renovation of kitchens, bathrooms, and other living spaces. Duties include the modification and installation of new and existing electrical components; installing appliances, and the reconfiguration of plumbing supply and waste lines; installation of tile, marble, slate, and granite floors, backsplashes, and countertops; installation of custom cabinetry, the craftsmanship of fine woodworking, and complete punch-out duties - Designed, managed, and constructed a two-story addition on a 19th-century historic farmhouse in Loudoun County, Virginia, while adhering to the state’s historic preservation building codes - Contracted for crew management and site supervision of framing multiple estate-sized custom homes, residential additions, and complete build-out of commercial office buildings and tenant spaces |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2015 to 2018 | Employer: Först Consulting Group, LLC | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Professional consulting services, litigation support, and subject matter expert testimony for homeowners, contractors, architects, attorneys, and insurance companies in the construction industry.- Forensic investigations related to construction deficiencies; building code compliance; contract review and analysis; construction delay analysis; construction injury investigation. Specialties include: Building pathology, structural capability, home energy performance, EIF’s and stucco, insulation and attic ventilation, siding/ facades and rain screens, water and air infiltration, vapor retarder/ barriers, infrared thermography, moisture management, exotic hardwoods, failed shower systems. - Leveraging my extensive knowledge and expertise of building and construction practices and job-site health and safety to provide consumers and the legal community with relevant opinions and professional advice. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2017 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: District of Columbia General Contractor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Providing consulting services, general contracting, project management, and job site safety, serving corporate and private clientele. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business, including site supervision, office administration, finance, budgeting, and marketing. Work with local, state, and federal officials to ensure regulatory compliance.Successful completion of more than 600 unique and custom projects. Experience and background range from Owner’s Advocate, new custom home construction, interior renovations and additions, green building and energy-efficient homes, commercial work, historical renovations, timber-framing, and creating elaborate custom interiors in prestigious estate-sized homes. Highlights include: - Project management and consulting for VMW Interior Supply, LTD. Acted as a liaison between VMW Interior Supply and general contractor John Moriarty and Associates. Projects included a $1.2 million, 269 unit apartment high-rise in Arlington, Virginia, and a $1.5 million 107 room luxury suite and spa in Alexandria, Virginia. Duties included generating take-offs, presenting estimates, managing project budgets, overseeing project teams, ensuring adherence to blueprints, technical drawings, and precision fit and finish - Contracted to install custom interior finishes and millwork in several very unique and prominent Virginia and Maryland estate homes with budgets ranging from $1.5 -$6.5 million, including Salamander Farm in Middleburg, Virginia - Contracted for high-end residential remodeling. Responsible for total demolition and renovation of kitchens, bathrooms, and other living spaces. Duties include the modification and installation of new and existing electrical components; installing appliances, and the reconfiguration of plumbing supply and waste lines; installation of tile, marble, slate, and granite floors, backsplashes, and countertops; installation of custom cabinetry, the craftsmanship of fine woodworking, and complete punch-out duties - Contracted for the install and build-out of custom staircases, library/ study and home office packages, fireplace mantels, built-in cabinetry, and other high-end custom millwork - Designed, managed, and constructed a two-story addition on a 19th-century historic farmhouse in Loudoun County, Virginia, while adhering to the state’s historic preservation building codes - Contracted for crew management and site supervision of framing multiple estate-sized custom homes, residential additions, and complete build-out of commercial office buildings and tenant spaces |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2000 to 2002 | Employer: Gilford Trim and Millwork, Inc. | Title: Custom Woodworker/ Cabinet Maker: | Department: |
Responsibilities:Duties included building, installing, and finishing custom railings and staircases, elaborate bookcases, mantels and libraries, shaping wood/bending wood, site management and operating commercial woodshop equipment. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2000 to 2002 | Employer: Curtiss Renovation, Inc. | Title: General Carpentry | Department: |
Responsibilities:Residential remodeling of kitchens, bathrooms, and additions; kitchen cabinetry installation; window and door replacement; rough-in plumbing and electrical; hardwood floor install and re-finishing. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1998 to 2000 | Employer: Complete Auto Repair, Inc. | Title: Michigan State Licensed Automotive Technician | Department: |
Responsibilities:Responsible for vehicular preventative maintenance; removal, replacements, and overhauls of engines, transmissions, front-ends, electrical, and braking systems in passenger and heavy-duty vehicles. |
|||
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Professional Associations: • American Bar Association (ABA) member • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) member • International Code Council (ICC) member • National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) (expired) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Employer, LLC Virginia Class ‘A’ Contractor District of Columbia General Contractor Independent Education: Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) member • Foundations of Courtroom Testimony – 16 Hour Course American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI) member • Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC) International Code Council (ICC) • B1 Residential Building Inspector certified • E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certified • P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector certified • M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector certified Hillsdale College: • Successful online completion of Constitution 101 – The Meaning and History of the Constitution Demonstrated Safety, Awareness, and Emergency Management: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training: • OSHA-10 Hour certified • OSHA-30 Hour certified • OSHA-7505 Introduction to Accident Investigation certified, 7.5 contact hours • OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS) certified, 1.0 contact hour • Successful online completion of Fall Protection for Construction, 1.0 hour • Successful online completion of Electrical Safety, 1.0 hour Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training: • IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness (POI) certified • IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) certified • IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident certified • IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) certified • IS-800.b National Response Framework certified • WMD/ Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (AWR-160) certified Additional Certifications and Training: • Certified Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia • Designing and Constructing Flood-Resistant Buildings: 6.5 CEU’s • EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator • NAUI Rescue Diver certified • PADI Public Safety Diver certified (introduction to underwater forensics, rescue, and recovery) • Successful completion of the Virginia Boating Safety Course • Emergency Vehicle Operator III licensed (EVOC III) • Farm Equipment and Heavy Machinery Extrication certified • Employed as an on-site EMT and ERT for the Federal Government during the construction of the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency building in Springfield, Virginia • Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (expired license): First responder to accidents, incidences, and injuries; provided basic life support and transport; pre-hospital patient care reporting • Michigan Stated Licensed Automotive Technician (expired license) |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| • Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) member • Foundations of Courtroom Testimony – 16 Hour Course • American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI) member • Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC) • International Code Council (ICC) • B1 Residential Building Inspector certified • E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certified • P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector certified • M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector certified |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Awards/ Recognitions/ Achievements: • Numerous letters of satisfaction from Karl Rove – Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush • Special Tribute from House of Representatives, State of Michigan • Awarded a one-year scholarship to Associated Builders & Contractors apprenticeship program |
| Medical / Professional |
|---|
| Factory/Manufacturer Training: • Schluter Systems • James Hardie Siding • Marvin Doors and Windows • Simpson Strong-Tie • Trex Decking |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Factory/ Manufacturer Training: • Schluter Systems • James Hardie Siding • Marvin Doors and Windows • Simpson Strong-Tie • Trex Decking |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Additional Information and Experience: Qualified to provide reliable expert testimony and findings of fact for depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings; liaison to structural engineers, architects, and other cohort witnesses of the fact. Suburb analytical, research, and investigative skills; expert knowledge of national and local building code compliance. Superior ability to read, comprehend and formulate conclusions based on blueprints and approved design plans. A broad knowledge base of energy-efficient homes, building envelope, wood species, structural building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Developmental site work: Experience operating and maintaining heavy-duty equipment for site clearing, foundation footers, debris removal, crane operation, and survey engineering for grading, drainage, and erosion control. Business relationships include Owners, Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Attorneys, and Personal Clients. |
Fields of Expertise
ceramic tile, woodworking machinery, National Fire Protection Association code, historic buildings, building compliance, defective construction, energy-efficient heating ventilating and air conditioning control, energy-efficient ventilation, residential building construction, construction accident, commercial construction, building construction regulation, building construction, infrared thermometer, cement fiber siding, water pipe, moisture barrier film, hardwood, moisture analysis, flame-resistant insulation material, acoustic insulation, exterior insulated and finish system (EIFS), expert witness, construction, commercial development