Forensic-based expertise for damage assessment, repair oversight, cost estimation, and insurance appraisals.
When a building is damaged, whether by storm, fire, flood, construction defect, or catastrophe, the decisions made in the first days of a claim have long-term consequences. Scope errors, inflated contractor bids, unresolved causation questions, and poorly documented damage can turn a manageable loss into a prolonged dispute.
Haag will help you avoid costly missteps in the early stages of a claim and get you back on the path toward successful resolution. Haag’s building consultants are embedded within a multi-disciplinary forensic consulting firm. When you engage Haag, your building consultant works alongside forensic architects and engineers, structural, civil, and MEP experts, fire investigators, forensic meteorologists, materials scientists, and GIS and data visualization experts. That integrated team is available on every assignment, whether it’s a routine repair estimate or a complex, multi-party litigation matter.
Since 1924, Haag has built its reputation on technically defensible, fact-based findings. That standard applies to every deliverable we produce.
Building consulting covers a wide range of services that sit at the intersection of construction knowledge and insurance claims management. Haag consultants bring direct field experience of general contracting, project management, restoration, and construction oversight, combined with the forensic rigor expected in litigation and appraisal settings.
Haag building consultants are routinely engaged to:
Where the scope of a loss involves structural performance, material failure, weather causation, or fire origin, Haag building consultants coordinate directly with in-house forensic engineers, architects, and specialists.
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It is common for construction consulting firms to offer project management and cost estimation. Haag offers something more specific: construction consulting developed in a forensic environment, where every finding must be traceable, every cost must be defensible, and every report may end up in a courtroom.
This distinction matters in several practical ways:
A building consultant assessing storm damage to a commercial building has direct access to Haag’s forensic meteorologists, who can confirm the weather event, quantify wind speeds, and document hail size at the site location. A consultant evaluating a restoration contractor’s scope of work has access to structural engineers, architects, building envelope specialists, and materials testing labs within the same organization.
Haag building consultants are trained to document, measure, photograph, and report in formats that hold up to scrutiny in appraisal proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, and depositions.
Haag can mobilize building consultants, forensic engineers and forensic architects across multiple assignments when a large weather event triggers simultaneous losses. Our response is backed by real-time storm data from our meteorology team and geospatial mapping from our Data Analytics and Visual Services group.
A professional evaluation of property damage following storms, fires, flooding, structural failures, and other major loss events. Our building consultants leverage field experience and advanced technology to assess conditions, gather facts, and establish the foundation for repair or remediation scoping. Damage assessments can be retained as a standalone service or as the first step in a full scope and estimate engagement.
Independent evaluation of whether a general contractor’s work met the applicable standard of care. Used in construction defect litigation, subrogation matters, and insurance claims where contractor performance is disputed.
Post-loss mitigation and remediation work can be a source of additional disputes. Haag evaluates whether the contractor followed accepted industry practices, applicable guidelines, and the agreed-upon scope of work.
Oversight and advisory services across the full repair and restoration process, from bid solicitation and contractor selection through active on-site construction observation and project completion. Services include Clerk of Works oversight, contractor performance monitoring, progress tracking against scope, deviation identification, independent guidance on sequencing, code compliance and project controls, and construction disputes. The focus of our work is to minimize business interruption and accurate scope execution.
Development of detailed, line-item scopes of repair for damaged properties. Accurate scoping is the foundation of a defensible claim. Haag consultants document conditions, quantify damage, and produce scopes that reflect what the repair, mitigation, or remediation project actually requires.
Independent cost estimates prepared by experienced construction professionals, based on current market pricing, regional labor rates, and material costs. Haag estimates are used to evaluate contractor proposals, resolve scope disputes, and support appraisal and litigation proceedings.
Appraisals for commercial, industrial, and residential properties, conducted by qualified Haag appraisers. Haag appraisals are prepared for dispute resolution, and claims settlement purposes, and are completed with the same defensibility standard applied to all Haag work product.
Assessment of mechanical and electronic equipment, manufacturing systems, heavy machinery, and electrical switchgear following catastrophic events. Haag provides independent restoration pricing, repair cost analysis, and replacement cost evaluation.
Building consulting engagements can become litigation matters…or begin as one. When a repair cost is disputed, a contractor’s workmanship is challenged, or an appraisal proceeding is initiated, Haag building consultants are prepared to carry their findings into that environment.
Haag building consultants provide expert witness testimony and litigation support on:
The same consultant who assessed the damage, developed the scope, or managed the repair can serve as the testifying expert. This maintains factual continuity from initial fact-gathering through deposition and trial. Haag experts are experienced in presenting technical findings clearly and defensibly in both arbitration and courtroom settings.
Haag building consultants work with:
Insurance carriers and adjusters — independent damage assessment, scope development, cost evaluation, appraisal services, or litigation support on first-party property claims, third party liability, subrogation, builder’s risk, professional liability, or large-loss excess matters
Third-party administrators and independent adjusters — support on complex and large-loss assignments
Attorneys and litigation teams — expert witness testimony, construction damage analysis, and standard-of-care opinions
Self-insured property owners and risk managers — independent consulting on restoration, mitigation, or remediation oversight, contractor monitoring, and cost consulting
Restoration and remediation contractors — construction advisory services and documentation support
Every assignment is different. Haag building consultants work alongside the entire forensic consulting team to draw on different disciplines that the assignment requires. Use our expert directory to find a consultant by discipline or location. If you have a specific assignment or issue to navigate, contact us directly and we will identify the right consultant for you.
Structural, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection analysis
Code compliance, design defect analysis, premise liability, safety, and human factor analysis
Fire scene investigation, explosion cause analysis, and burn testing
Weather verification and analysis, storm intensity documentation, hail and wind data
In-house laboratory testing for roofing, cladding, and building materials
Geospatial mapping, GIS, 3D documentation, drones, and claim visualization
As part of Salas O’Brien, Haag has access to a network of 900+ registered and licensed technical professionals, including design engineers who specialize in complex facility types. These experts understand the performance of critical environments and their facility requirements from the ground up.
When a building consulting project requires that level of technical insight, Haag draws on those resources directly for solutions that reflect how the facility is designed to function, not just the its physical condition.
