Representative Work

Representative & TechnicalCase Experience

The following representative matters reflect the scope and complexity of construction forensic and construction management advisory services our team has provided across residential, single-family, aviation, institutional and educational environments, including work performed by our principals earlier in their careers, prior to joining PCC. Whether retained for dispute resolution, risk mitigation or capital program oversight, the focus remains consistent: deliver defensible conclusions, protect financial interests and provide clarity in technically complex construction matters.

Below-grade waterproofing membrane installation at a multifamily residential foundation

Residential Multifamily · Mixed Use · Forensics

Multi-Family Building Envelope Failure Investigation & Defect Litigation Support

Project Type: Multifamily Residential
Service Track: Construction Forensics
Matter Type: Defect Litigation Support
Engagement Volume: Dozens of matters
Geographic Focus: Southern California (primarily Orange County)
Typical Resolution: Pre-trial settlement or mediation
Engagement Basis: Principal's Prior Experience

Across dozens of engagements of this kind (primarily throughout Southern California, with a concentration in Orange County), our principals have evaluated single-family, mid-rise and podium-style multifamily developments where performance failures, construction defects and site safety are at issue. These matters typically involve building envelope systems, waterproofing assemblies, structural components and integration of life-safety systems. Many have resolved short of trial, through pre-trial settlement or mediation.

Field investigation typically follows ASTM E2128 (Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls), the master forensic framework for tracing water intrusion back to its source. Depending on what's at issue, this has included ASTM E1105 field water-penetration testing of installed doors and windows, ASTM D5957 flood testing of elevated walkways, decks and balconies and moisture-content verification (ASTM D4442 / D4444) within affected wood framing. Destructive testing (opening wall or deck assemblies to expose and document the extent of damage) is typically performed by a general contractor under our direction, with findings evaluated against the California Building Code (Chapter 14, Exterior Walls; Chapter 15, Roof Assemblies) and the codes and standards in effect at the time of original construction.

Review of construction documents, submittals and RFIs
Field investigation per ASTM E2128 (water leakage evaluation methodology)
GC-performed destructive testing to expose and document damage, under our direction
ASTM E1105 field water-penetration testing of doors, windows and curtain walls
ASTM D5957 flood testing of elevated walkways, decks and balconies
Moisture-content verification via calibrated meters (ASTM D4442 / D4444)
Causation analysis and standard-of-care assessment
Development of repair scope and cost-of-correction analysis
Preparation of technical reports suitable for dispute resolution

“Across dozens of these matters, the pattern is consistent: a general contractor performs destructive testing to expose and document the damage and we evaluate the findings against the codes and standards that applied at the time of construction.” N. Daniel PeressCEO / President / Sr. Project Manager

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Water intrusion staining on an interior concrete wall

Residential & Multifamily · Owner Advisory & Insurance Recovery · Construction Management

Post Settlement Remediation Oversight

Project Type: Single-Family, Multifamily & Commercial Rebuilds
Service Track: Construction Management
Matter Type: Owner Advisory / Insurance Recovery
Regulatory Framework: CA Civil Code SB 721 / SB 326 (Balcony Inspections)
Engagement Basis: Principal's Prior Experience

Independent oversight of corrective construction following claim resolution or a negotiated settlement, on single-family, multifamily and commercial rebuilds alike. These programs often involve complex sequencing, occupied properties and defined repair budgets, where protecting the owner's financial recovery is as much a part of the job as the construction itself.

Where the settlement scope includes water-damaged wood framing, oversight extends to indoor environmental quality: post-remediation clearance air sampling under ASTM D7391 confirms airborne spore levels have returned to an acceptable baseline following mold abatement and moisture-content verification (ASTM D4442 / D4444) confirms framing has dried to an acceptable standard (typically below 16%–19% equilibrium moisture content) before walls are closed with drywall or stucco.

On the construction side, oversight follows the same forensic framework used to diagnose the original failure (ASTM E2128) to confirm the leak path has actually been eliminated, backed by post-remediation quality-assurance testing: ASTM E1105 field water-penetration testing of repaired or replaced doors, thresholds and windows; ASTM D5957 flood testing of rebuilt balconies and walkways (typically a witnessed 24-to-48-hour test before topping coatings or concrete are applied); and ASTM D4541 / D7234 pull-off adhesion testing on new deck coatings and traffic membranes to confirm bond strength. Special inspection reports and sign-offs are prepared for structural wood repairs, flashing installation and waterproofing assemblies. For elevated walkways and balconies, oversight documentation is retained to demonstrate compliance with California's mandatory inspection requirements under Civil Code SB 721 and SB 326.

Contractor qualification and bid review
Validation of proposed repair methodologies
Post-remediation mold clearance air sampling (ASTM D7391)
Moisture-content verification of repaired framing (ASTM D4442 / D4444)
Post-repair leak-path verification per ASTM E2128
ASTM E1105 field water-penetration QA testing of repaired openings
ASTM D5957 flood testing of rebuilt balconies and walkways
ASTM D4541 / D7234 adhesion testing of new deck coatings
Special inspection reports for structural, flashing and waterproofing work
SB 721 / SB 326 compliance documentation for elevated elements
Budget tracking, change order evaluation and cost control review
Structured progress reporting

“Where remediation involves both mold and structural repair, the oversight runs on two tracks: confirming air quality has cleared before we close up the walls and confirming the leak path is actually gone before anyone signs off.” N. Daniel PeressCEO / President / Sr. Project Manager

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LAX terminal interior under construction, air traffic control tower visible through the windows

Aviation · Institutional & Public · Forensics

Maintenance Gap Analysis Task Order

(LAX) Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, CA · Terminals 1 through 8

Project Type: Aviation / Institutional
Service Track: Construction Forensics
Matter Type: Portfolio Maintenance Gap Analysis
Contract Vehicle: LAWA MATOC: Planning & Design Professional Services
Task Order Budget: $2,000,000
Engagement Basis: Principal's Prior Experience

Retained under a task order issued through LAWA's Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) for Planning & Design Professional Services, this $2,000,000 engagement evaluated and recorded the condition of facilities-related equipment and components across all eight LAX terminals. Onsite field observations were structured to identify systemic life expectancy and risk exposure for building exteriors, roofing, baggage handling systems (BHS), MEP, structural elements and glazing. The reports produced included architectural, structural and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) observations, with recommendations for repair and cost of replacement.

Portfolio-level onsite evaluations across Terminals 1 through 8
Building exterior and envelope condition assessment
Roofing system evaluation and remaining useful life
Baggage Handling System (BHS) condition and risk review
Glazing and curtain-wall performance assessment
Remaining useful life (RUL) assessment of critical systems and components
Structural performance and building resilience review
MEP infrastructure lifecycle evaluation
Capital renewal and phased reinvestment strategy
Executive reporting for capital allocation decisions

“These onsite field observations were structured to identify systemic life expectancy and risk exposure for all equipment and building components at Terminals 1 through 8.” N. Daniel PeressCEO / President / Sr. Project Manager

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Window mock-up water penetration testing rig on an exterior wall assembly

Educational · Active Construction Risk Mitigation

Mock-Up Window Penetration Testing

Humanities Gateway, University of California, Irvine (Irvine, CA)

Project Type: Educational Facility
Service Track: Construction Management & Forensics
Matter Type: Pre-Construction Risk Mitigation
General Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Company
Capital Improvement Budget: $37.8 Million
Engagement Basis: Principal's Prior Experience

Retained in an owner's-side capacity for the State of California / University of California, Irvine during construction of Humanities Gateway, a newly constructed, four-story, 76,200-square-foot building of classrooms, conference rooms and faculty offices, completed in August 2009. The project was budgeted for standard LEED Certification; the completed building went on to achieve LEED Platinum, the U.S. Green Building Council's highest honor and, at the time, a first for the UC Irvine campus. The assignment emphasized proactive risk management rather than post-occupancy defect correction, ensuring the windows, frames, seals and flashing worked together to hermetically seal the building from water intrusion.

Coordination with manufacturers on individual component installation as part of a greater assembly
Development of performance-based testing protocols
Oversight of ASTM water and air infiltration testing
Installation sequencing review and documentation
Identification of systematic detailing deficiencies
Corrective recommendations prior to full deployment
Verification testing and compliance documentation

“Representative engagements include early-stage performance testing of exterior wall systems, glazing assemblies and waterproofing details during active construction. The objective is to prevent systemic failure through controlled testing and technical oversight.” N. Daniel PeressCEO / President / Sr. Project Manager

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