OUR SERVICES
Remediation Services
When repairing building damage and defects, we are trusted experts who can help prevent recurring issues.
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Deisgn + Construction Litigation
We are known for our highly skilled building forensic investigations and outstanding expert witness work.
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Architectural Consulting
Technical peer reviews and consulting on building enclosures, specifications, codes and standards
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Forensic Investigations
Our consultants are experts on the latest codes, standards, and facility management practices.
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Tools & Methods
We use the latest state-of-the-art testing methods, with analysis rooted in a holistic understanding of the interplay of building science, architecture, engineering, and construction.
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Architectural Consulting
We provide design and technical consulting for teams of professionals from pre-design through close-out of a diverse line of project types from residential to large commercial/high-rise, for new and restoration projects. We perform comprehensive reviews of design, provide recommendations for use of appropriate building materials, weatherization details, and independent reviews of work during the construction phases.
BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTING
Our services and areas of expertise include:
- Peer reviews of drawings and technical specifications
- Shop drawing and materials submittal reviews
- Construction phase quality assurance observations and reporting
- Field mock-up performance testing
- Hygrothermal modeling of roofs and walls
CODE CONSULTING
As a voting member of the Building/Structural Advisory Committee to the Florida Building Commission, our principal consultant Bob Bitterli was part of the team that literally wrote the code. Ivy Group is extremely well-versed in researching and forming opinions on issues concerning building codes, as well as state and federal accessibility, and fire codes, and can advise during new construction and renovation or repair of any type of building.
BUILDING ENVIRONMENTS CONSULTING
Building environmental issues, such as poor indoor air quality, impact human performance, health, and happiness. Ivy Group’s consulting services in the area of building environments help building owners and managers understand the significant interactions between buildings and the people who work and live in them. We can get to root of building environmental problems, and help determine a course of action and the expected ROI of improving your building’s environment.
design + Construction Litigation
When legal disputes arise out of building projects, you need professionals with proven expertise in construction defect analysis and expert witness testimonies. In over 20 years of delivering consulting and expert services for construction defect cases and claims, our architects, engineers, and building scientists have developed a stellar reputation for delivering highly credible opinions. We work with attorneys and insurance companies representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
Building Forensics
In our 30+ years, Ivy Group has gained a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of buildings. We apply architectural knowledge and building sciences to investigate and analyze physical evidence in buildings. This background enables us to provide top-tier forensic investigation and analysis of design & construction defects that involve a variety of possible causes and influencing factors.
We use the latest testing and analysis techniques to pinpoint the cause of mold, rust, corrosion, decay, wood rot, deterioration, microbial activity, and other building damage and defects.
Our origins as primary architects set the stage for highly credible expert opinions in construction cases and claims. We provide Reports of Findings and Expert Opinions, as well as design and construction reviews and research, for attorneys and insurance companies representing plaintiffs and defendants.
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
We will thouroughly review construction documents (plans, specifications, addenda) as well as Construction Administration documents (RFIs, submittals, proposal requests, supplemental instructions, construction change directives, change orders, certificates of completion, substantial completion and final completion), and provide our Expert Opinions and Analysis.
EXPERT REVIEWS
In today’s complexity of design and construction we are often asked to review other expert’s findings and opinions. We will provide our opinions, whether we oppose or support, and offer them with confidence and clarity.
DEPOSITIONS
Our forensic consultants are experienced and adept at presenting findings and reports in depositions when needed. This is a valuable skill that is difficult to come by. You can be sure that we will present only the most precise, relevant, and unbiased testimony needed for your case.
LEGAL GRAPHICS
Building upon a strong background in visual and verbal communication, our legal graphic designer provides our experts and clients with understandable and attractive presentations that convey technical information in a way that educates those unfamiliar with technical details, to prove a point.
TRIAL CONSULTING
It has been said that if you can’t explain something to a 6-year-old, then you don’t understand it very well yourself. Attorneys can rely on Ivy Group’s communication skills and techniques to ensure that any audience – judges, juries, clients or opposing experts – can understand complex and unfamiliar concepts and practices. Our detailed understanding of the facts, combined with our visual and verbal communication experience, allows us to convey a perspective that resonates with the audience and helps them make informed decisions.
We can apply this expertise to areas of a case that may be outside of our expertise with buildings, and our prowess in effectively communicating the facts of the case can greatly benefit the outcome of a mediation, trial or other resolutions.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Flexibility is the key to effective consulting services. We will negotiate a specific scope of service to best serve the needs of your construction case or claim.
- Attend relevant meetings
- Observation, investigation, and testing
- Form opinions and record observations
- Communicate with other parties as directed
- Testify in deposition, negotiations, trial
- Research and advise on building and accessibility code issues
- Reports, photographs, drawings, presentation graphics
NOTE: We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice of any kind.
forensic invesitgations
The gathering of information and materials for evidence is one of our specialties. Our team will plan, coordinate and perform Moisture Intrusion Testing, Destructive Investigations, and removing and storing of material samples.
From swing stages on 30+ story high-rises to single-family homes across Florida, we dig deep to find and document the root cause of the issues.
- Building Enclosures
- Windows – Installation, Flashing, Sealants
- Wall Systems – Sheathing, Waterproofing, Stucco Installation
- Roof Systems – Tile, Shingle, Mod-Bit, EPDM, Built-up Roofing
Remediation Solutions
As licensed architects and engineers, Ivy Group can provide a range of remediation services when mold, rust, corrosion, wood rot, microbial activity, or other types of damage or defects are found in a building.
REMEDIATION DESIGN
Often we are hired to pinpoint the cause(s) of building defects. Once we complete our investigation and analysis, the technical knowledge we’ve gained about a building makes us uniquely suited to design repairs and restorations. We are able to provide blueprints that take into account the unique issues that created problems in the first place and will prevent the issue from reoccurring.
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
ESTIMATING AND SCHEDULING
We can provide unbiased estimates of probable costs for necessary maintenance, repair or replacement.
Tools & Methods
We use the latest state-of-the-art testing methods, with analysis rooted in a holistic understanding of the interplay of building science, architecture, engineering, and construction.
MOISTURE INTRUSION ANALYSIS
One of the most important aspects of any building or structure designed for human occupancy is to keep it dry. Moisture intrusion is the leading cause of design and construction claims worldwide, accounting for over 70% of all claims and lawsuits. Our investigation starts at the roof and continues to flashings, sealants, windows, doors, and walls. We analyze all elements of the building envelope in determining moisture intrusion issues. Our firm works with clients in a multi-stepped process to analyze, diagnose, remediate and monitor moisture intrusion repairs for our clients. We also work with qualified mold remediation experts and industrial hygienists to effectively diagnose and correct more significant problems.
THERMAL IMAGING
Poor or inadequate insulation, moisture, building envelope leaks, and substandard work are costly to residential and commercial buildings alike. Air or moisture intrusion may pose a threat to the building’s life-cycle and efficiency. Air tightness and thermal imaging testing are important quality control measures when building or renovating a facility. Heat losses in buildings can account for up to 50% of the total energy consumption and come from air leakage through chimneys, attics, wall vents, and poorly sealed windows/doors.
RILEM TUBE TESTING
The RILEM tube test is conducted according to the RILEM Commission 25, PEM, Test Method 1154 to evaluate a masonry structure’s resistance to wind-driven rain. It can identify a potential problem, the possible points of entry, the approximate rate of absorption, and the approximate wind speed required to produce entry. Unlike other tests that detect the presence of moisture, the RILEM tube test quantifies the rate of moisture penetration in a masonry wall structure.
MICROSCOPY
Close inspection and identification of particles and fibers, paint thickness, stucco mix, and other building components allows us to better understand the causes of building or component failure and develop remediation recommendations.
HYGROTHERMAL ANALYSIS
A computational analysis of building envelope components, which provides a realistic calculation of the transient coupled one and two dimensional heat and moisture transport in multi-layer building components exposed to natural weather. It is based on years of research regarding vapor diffusion and liquid transport in building materials and has been validated by detailed comparison with measurements obtained in the laboratory and on IBP’s outdoor testing field.
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
Our experience in architecture and claims allows us to effectively review a set of construction documents (plans, specifications, addenda) as well as review construction-related follow-up documents (requests for information, submittals, proposal requests, supplemental instructions, construction change directives, change orders, certificates of completion, substantial completion and final completion), and to comment on their relevancy in a claim or case.
OUR SERVICES
Remediation Services
When repairing building damage and defects, we are trusted experts who can help prevent recurring issues.
learn more
Construction Litigation
We are known for our highly skilled building forensic investigations and outstanding expert witness work.
learn more
Architectural Consulting
Peer technical reviews and consulting on building enclosures, codes and building environments,
learn more
Inspections
Our consultants are experts on the latest codes, standards, and facility management practices.
learn more
Tools & Methods
We use the latest state-of-the-art testing methods, with analysis rooted in a holistic understanding of the interplay of building science, architecture, engineering, and construction.
learn more
