Why clients bring us in
- Investigation and repair design under one roof — no hand-off, no gap in accountability.
- Reports written to be read by adjusters, counsel and owners, not only by engineers.
- Field diagnostics — thermography, moisture mapping, invasive openings — used to test hypotheses, not to pad scope.
Capabilities
Forensic Engineering & Building Restoration
The scope below is the full range. Most files use a subset — we scope to the question in front of us.
Condition assessment & investigation
Visual inspection, material sampling, non-destructive testing, thermography and moisture diagnostics.
Structural failure & rehabilitation
Collapse, excessive deflection and foundation movement — investigation through structural repair and strengthening design.
Building envelope diagnostics
Water penetration, air leakage and thermal deficiency, with remedies from repointing to full assembly replacement.
Facade investigation & restoration
Masonry, stone, precast concrete and curtain wall — deterioration, safety and repair strategy.
Material & component failure analysis
Laboratory and field testing of failures such as concrete spalling and steel corrosion.
Parking garage forensics
Freeze-thaw damage, reinforcement corrosion and waterproofing breakdown, with targeted rehabilitation.
Roof, balcony & podium repairs
Leakage and membrane failure investigation and restoration design.
Heritage building forensics
Structural safety and moisture control that respects historical fabric.
Waterproofing & drainage
Source identification for water ingress, with drainage and below-grade remedies.
Fire, flood & impact damage
Post-event assessment, scope of damage and remediation design.
Code upgrades & life safety
Fire separations, exiting, guards, accessibility and seismic upgrade requirements.
Expert witness & litigation support
Technical reports and testimony for insurance disputes and litigation.
When to call
Typical triggers.
- A loss has occurred and the cause is unclear or disputed
- A building is moving, cracking, leaking or deteriorating faster than it should
- A repair scope is contested between owner, contractor and insurer
- Counsel needs an independent opinion capable of surviving cross-examination
Related expertise
* Delivered by registered sub-consultants, coordinated and supervised by KALKATIC.