AVELAR’s team possesses an all-encompassing background, specialized training, and extensive experience to investigate building defects and failures, while accurately analyzing the causes and magnitude of the damage. Equipped with advanced in-house staff and cutting-edge technology, including Infrared Cameras, moisture meters, and floor level survey equipment, AVELAR is capable of providing unmatched building performance testing services to reinforce building investigations.
AVELAR has a team of experts who specialize in building codes, providing detailed reports on both current and historical building ordinances, regulations, and codes such as the Uniform Building Code and International Building Code.
In legal cases involving alleged code violations, it is crucial to determine which local and state building codes were in effect at the time of construction, repair, or reconstruction. AVELAR’s massive library of current and historic code books enables our team to pinpoint the specific codes applicable to any building named in a lawsuit. Our architectural expertise in code analysis is further strengthened by a certified ICC Master Code Professional with extensive experience in the field. Consulting with our team is essential in navigating the complex process of determining applicable codes in any jurisdiction.
AVELAR’s team possesses diverse backgrounds in architecture, general contracting, cost estimation, and code expertise. With ample practical experience, they are adept at investigating and analyzing
issues and damage in all types of buildings. AVELAR offers repair solutions for both plaintiff and defense parties. Their range of services includes construction defect investigation, expert witness testimony, research and analysis, code compliance, standard of care analysis, testing services, construction cost analysis, schedule analysis, and injury causation analysis.
The AVELAR team possesses the expertise, background, training, and experience to thoroughly investigate building defects and failures while analyzing the cause and extent of damage.
Our services comprise a comprehensive evaluation of as-built conditions to ascertain compliance with design and construction documentation, field investigation consisting of visual surveys, destructive testing, quality assurance observations, water testing, and code compliance. We also allocate responsibility for building component failures, analyze construction issues, and generate defective analysis reports. Additionally, we provide remedial repair recommendations and estimated costs, accompanied by clear and concise reports that include photographic evidence and graphic presentations illustrating construction defects, repair concepts, and specifications.
Forensic investigations require evaluating appropriate construction costs for all types of buildings, and AVELAR has the ability to assess whether cost overruns are justified and/or appropriate. Our general contracting staff brings expertise
and experience in all phases of non-litigation construction work, from plan review to employee and subcontractor management. With this background and credibility, we can accurately estimate repair and construction costs in the litigation arena. Our database and extensive experience allow us to provide a realistic assessment of disputed work value and cost estimates for proper completion or repair of defectively built work.
The AVELAR team has the comprehensive background, training and experience required to effectively investigate building defects and failures and analyze the cause and extent of damage.
Our services include:
Expert Witness Testimony
Our Litigation support team is comprised of licensed Architects, Engineers and Contractors, with litigation experience including forensic analysis of large scale residential, commercial, industrial, houses of worship, and public works projects. They have extensive experience and can offer technical expertise for the Plaintiff or Defense team providing testimony in a deposition, court trial or binding arbitration for any issues relating to construction defects, design and code deficiencies and non-compliance, improperly maintained building components, and deviations from acceptable architectural and construction standards.
Some other services include:
Research and Analysis
The AVELAR forensic + Litigation support department reviews documentation and data related to the design, construction, and maintenance of a structure to identify discrepancies, oversights and parties that may have contributed to problems with the project.
Code Compliance
For claims that allege code violations, the litigants must first identify which local and/or state building codes — if any — were in effect when the building was constructed (or last repaired or reconstructed). This is why it is vital to consult with building code experts who understand the complicated process of determining the codes that were in effect at any given time in each jurisdiction. RA&A maintains a massive library of current and historic code books that allow us to pinpoint the codes in force for any building named in a lawsuit. Our architectural expertise in code analysis is supplemented by staff that includes one of the longest tenured certified ICC (International Code Council) Master Code Professionals in the area.
Standard of Care Analysis
Architects and general contractors are required to perform their work with reasonable care and competence. The professional standard of care is what an architect or general contractor of good standing would do in similar circumstances and conditions. If an architect’s or general contractor’s performance comes into question, an objective peer review can determine if the appropriate standard of care was achieved.
AVELAR has extensive experience providing standard of care analysis for both architects and general contractors in litigation cases.
This analysis includes the review of:
Testing Services
AVELAR has the in-house staff and other resources to provide building performance testing services to support building investigations.
Testing services include:
Construction Cost Analysis
Evaluating appropriate construction costs for all types of buildings is a critical component of forensic investigations. When construction costs are in dispute, AVELAR can assess whether the cost overruns are justified and/or appropriate.
The expertise of our general contracting staff is based on experience in all phases of non-litigation construction work, including plan review and quantity takeoffs, subcontractor bidding, detailed estimate development, contract negotiation, job cost analysis, employee and subcontractor management, and overall responsibility for the execution of a construction contract from start to finish. This gives us the background and credibility to accurately estimate repair and construction costs in the litigation arena.
This database and our team’s extensive experience uniquely qualify us to provide a realistic assessment of the value of work that is in dispute, as well as estimate the cost to properly complete or repair work that was built defectively.
Schedule Analysis
Disputes related to cost overruns that are attributed to scheduling problems and project delays are common. AVELAR’s Architects, Engineers and Contractors have real-world experiences that provide perspective for evaluating the substance and merit of claims related to construction project delays.
Our decades of developing, revising, and updating construction schedules for both new construction, remodeling and repair work provides the basis for evaluating where schedule assumptions have gone awry, or where unrealistic expectations have led to contract disputes. We take a practical and realistic approach to problem-solving that allows us to focus on the causes of scheduling delays and disputes, and to evaluate the appropriate cost ramifications.
Injury Causation Analysis
Personal injury claims often involve allegations of building code violations, construction defects, design deficiencies, water infiltration and/or improper maintenance. AVELAR has an experienced team of specialized professionals ready to assess and evaluate the merits of these claims, whether for the Plaintiff or Defense team.
You can reach AVELAR with any questions, requests for information, or estimates at:
Email: info@ravelar.com Phone: 925-954-4978 Fax: 510-893-5874
Jobs: jobs@ravelar.com Accounting: acctgdept@ravelar.com
Sign up to get the latest updates