BERT L. HOWE & ASSOCIATES, INC. NATIONWIDE: 800.482.1822





PROVEN PERFORMANCE
PROVEN SOLUTIONS

NATIONWIDE 800-482-1822

CORPORATE OFFICES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

5415 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim Hills, CA 92807
714.701.9180

LAS VEGAS

3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy
Suite 500
Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
800.928.1822

PHOENIX

2375 East Camelback Road
Suite 600
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
800.305.6440

SALT LAKE CITY

2150 South 1300 East
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
800.482.1822

SACRAMENTO

180 Promenade Circle
Suite 300
Sacramento, California 95834
916.569.8400

SAN ANTONIO

17806 IH 10
Suite 300
San Antonio, Texas, 78257
210.540.9017

SAN DIEGO

402 W. Broadway
Suite 400
San Diego, California 92101
619.890.7782

DENVER

4600 South Syracuse
9th Floor
Denver, Colorado 80237-2719
800.248.4096

HOUSTON

800 Town and Country Blvd.
Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
713.264.8221

MIAMI

1688 Meridian Avenue
Suite 600 & 700
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
800.783.1822

CORPORATE PROFILE

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
Founded in 1993, Bert L. Howe & Associates, Inc., is a full service construction claims and litigation support firm focused on construction defect claims, construction expert witness testimony, general construction investigation and dispute resolution. As a multi-disciplinary construction consulting firm, BHA is dedicated to providing industry-leading service to legal and insurance professionals engaged in the full spectrum of construction-related claims.

Drawing from more than 25 years experience, and more than 7000 construction related expert witness designations, the construction experts group at BHA provides an integrated claims support solution. BHA leverages from this considerable body of experience, providing construction-related trial support and expert consulting services to the nation's most recognized litigation practitioners, Fortune 500 builders, commercial general liability carriers, owners, construction practice groups, and a variety of state and local government agencies.

The Experts Group at BHA is comprised of credentialed construction professionals, and includes recognized experts in the fields of repair cost estimating, forensic architecture, civil and structural engineering, general contracting, construction management and scheduling, roofing, waterproofing, building envelope systems, and construction methods and materials. These experts have provided our clients with the highest level of service and expertise in the full range of construction-related claims, including:

DELAY CLAIMS
COST ESTIMATING
PERSONAL INJURY
CIVIL ENGINEERING
EXPERT TESTIMONY
GENERAL CONTRACTING
FORENSIC ARCHITECTURE
ROOFING & WATERPROOFING
BHA CAPABILITIES
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DELAY CLAIMS

The Construction Experts Group at BHA delivers comprehensive delay claim analysis to an industry increasingly focused on project schedule performance. Delay claims have consistently been key provisions of construction contracts. Schedule performance is critical to cost effective project completion; subsequently, claims have become more frequent when delays are experienced. Delay claims are, by nature, complex and document-intensive, with contracts commonly including detailed provisions addressing the components of delay and liquidated damages. BHA is uniquely staffed and qualified to provide analysis and expert testimony on all delay related issues, including critical path scheduling, no damages for delay clauses, acceleration, compensable vs. non-compensable delays, change order and RFI impacts, design issues and impacts, disruption, resultant construction defects, contractor/owner standard of care, weather, labor disputes, material shortages, Force Majeure, and termination.

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COST ESTIMATING

The Construction Experts Group at BHA utilizes proven methodologies of analysis, quantifying, costing, and opining on matters of cost, means, methods and standards of practice related to the entire range of construction defect claims. At BHA, the cost estimating process is typically applied where disagreements exist in the scope of work and realized costs of a project. It is also employed in cases where a fair value for a scope of repairs must be determined, calculated and defended. Cost estimating requires significant experience and skilled analysis to interpret information contained in construction drawings and other common written instruments containing technical data, such as specifications and testing reports. BHA's professional experience across all construction disciplines provides our clients with the technical expertise necessary to efficiently navigate the assorted challenges influencing the increasingly complicated environment of personnel, materials, and equipment of today's projects

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PERSONAL INJURY

BHA Personal Injury Experts provide attorneys, insurance carriers, general contractors, and the construction industry at large investigative and forensic services for liability, workers' compensation, insurance claims, fraudulent death claims, and other circumstances which could result in litigation.

Services Include:

Accidents - Pedestrian & Parking Structures/Lots
Construction - Commercial, Residential, Safety, & Industrial
Insurance Claims
Slip & Falls
Product Liability
Site Accident Investigation
Site Safety Analysis
Accident Prevention
Photography- Construction, Vehicle, Site, & Aerial
Site Condition Inspection
Accident Reconstruction Analysis

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EXPERT TESTIMONY

Bert L. Howe & Associates, Inc., is a full service construction claims and litigation support firm focusing on construction defect claims, construction expert witness testimony, general construction investigation, and dispute resolution. The Experts Group at BHA is comprised of credentialed construction professionals, and includes recognized experts in the fields of repair cost estimating, forensic architecture, civil/structural engineering, roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope systems.

BHA provides nationwide construction-related expert support services to the nation's most recognized construction litigation practitioners, Fortune 500 builders, commercial general liability carriers, owners, construction practice groups, and a variety of state and local government agencies.

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CIVIL ENGINEERING

The Engineering Group at BHA specializes in furnishing comprehensive forensic civil engineering and structural engineering services necessary for supporting legal actions. Utilizing industry-recognized standards and accepted technological methods, BHA provides clients a credible cost-effective resource geared toward explaining, identifying, and designing corrective measures.

BHA is engaged in a multitude of civil engineering-related litigations involving evaluation of regulatory requirements, surveys, licensing, training, building code violations, standard of care issues, and defective specifications, and is a recognized presence in the construction claims community.

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GENERAL CONTRACTING

The Experts Group at Bert L. Howe & Associates, Inc., delivers effective solutions to the myriad claims arising from all types of construction-related litigation. Licensed general and engineering contractors work in integrated organizational alliance with the firm's design experts to provide our clients with vital information and concise explanation of complex defect claims. BHA provides general construction investigation, expert witness testimony, and claims-related support services to national builders, sub trades, building product manufacturers, and construction claims professionals nationwide.

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FORENSIC ARCHITECTURE

The Architects Group at Bert L. Howe & Associates, Inc., draws from the experience gained through more than 5,000 expert designations in a wide variety of construction defect and claims litigations. Leveraging from this considerable body of experience, BHA provides architectural standard of care analysis and testimony to the nation's most recognized construction litigation practitioners, Fortune 500 builders, commercial general liability carriers, owners, construction practice groups, and a variety of state and local government agencies.

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ROOFING & WATERPROOFING

The roofing and waterproofing experts at BHA are among the most highly regarded roofing expert witnesses in the construction forensics community. State-licensed professionals working in conjunction with the firm's architectural, general contracting, and engineering resources afford clients a comprehensive claims support solution geared toward the rapid resolution of roofing and waterproofing claims. The roofing consultants are currently designated experts in a number of residential, commercial, and government litigation projects throughout the country.

DELAY CLAIMS
COST ESTIMATING
PERSONAL INJURY
CIVIL ENGINEERING
EXPERT TESTIMONY
GENERAL CONTRACTING
FORENSIC ARCHITECTURE
ROOFING & WATERPROOFING
Over 20 Years of
EXPERIENCE
Thousands of
EXPERT DESIGNATIONS
Meaningful Cost & Productivity
IMPROVEMENTS

BHA EXPERTS GROUP

The Experts Group at BHA is comprised of a diverse and multi-talented group of construction professionals, bringing years of design, project management, and hands-on trade experience to bear in every designation. Each expert also brings a highly-developed understanding of the unique challenges presented by construction and building design-related claims, an understanding that can only be garnered through extensive participation in this highly specialized arena.

As a result of the collegial approach taken by BHA in assessing and addressing case and client-specific needs, coupled with the diversity of experience and expertise marshalled under the BHA umbrella, the legal or claims professional utilizing the Construction Experts Group at BHA not only benefits from the key designated consultant, but also the combined and shared knowledge of the entire team.

BHA is steadfast in our mandate that all members of the Construction Experts Group maintain all current credentials, seek out additional training on new construction techniques and materials in the industry on a continual basis, and encourages and nurtures the free flow of information amongst our associates.

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Matthew J. Nardella
Architect

Forensic Architecture, Construction Claims Evaluation, Construction Consultant

Mark Chapman
Civil Engineer

Construction & Design Consultant General Building Contractor

John D. Tolman
General Contractor

Construction Cost Standard of Care Expert, Certified Professional Estimator (ASPE)

John M. Springman
Architect

Construction and Design Forensic Analysis,Construction Defect & Claims Expert

Donald MacGregor
General Contractor

General Construction Investigation Builders Standard of Care Expert

Alan D. Sturm
General Contractor

Cost Estimating Expert, Fire, Flood, & Catastrophic Loss Specialist

Jerry Miles, P.E.
Civil Engineer

American Concrete Institute - Associate
Licensed Professional Engineer (CA,TX,UT)

Matt Stiefel, P.E.
Civil Engineer

Licensed California Geotechnical Engineer,
Licensed Professional Engineer (CA,NV)

Brian Vann
General Contractor

Water Infiltration, Mold, & Catastrophe Claims Specialist Construction Standard of Care Expert

David L. Suggs
General Contractor

Construction Claims Specialist Certified Professional Estimator (ASPE)

Leo Barana
Certified Building Inspector

Insurance Claim Expert, Construction Claims Evaluation

Bradley W. Hughes
General Contractor

Standard of Care Expert, Roofing & Waterproofing Claims Specialist

Kirk Guesnon
Construction Specialist

Data Support Specialist, Construction Claims Evaluation, Certified Building Inspector

Terry Ingo
General Contractor

Cost, Construction Standard of Care Expert, Certified Estimating Systems Trainer/Consultant

Jorge Porter
Certified Building Inspector

Construction Standard of Care Expert, Construction Estimator

Chris Lopez
Inspection Specialist

Construction Claims Expert, Data Support Specialist

Robert Brockway
Senior Construction Project Manager

Construction Estimator, Scheduler, Construction Risk Management

Jeannette Arakaki Hotta
Architect

Construction Estimator, Scheduler, Insurance Claim Expert

BHA PROJECT TYPES
CUSTOM HOUSING

While many aspects of custom home construction are closely related to their production housing counterparts, a high-end custom, or "spec," home does present certain unique challenges.

Custom homes are designed to stand apart architecturally, and they also "stand apart" forensically. With over 20 years experience investigating and analyzing custom home claims, the Construction Experts Group at BHA brings a seasoned understanding of the subtle, yet pertinent, issues associated with custom home projects.

From the unique contract language and subcontractor scopes of work associated with special finishes and assemblies to a comprehensive appreciation of the materials and methods often incorporated into high-end architectural designs, to the nuanced approach often required when inspecting custom homes, BHA designees bring the talent and experience required to ensure that these complicated and challenging projects are addressed with professionalism and alacrity.

PRODUCTION HOUSING

The Construction Experts Group at BHA is engaged in a wide spectrum of production housing-related construction claims. The firm has been retained to provide expert investigation, consulting, and testimony by a diverse clientele consisting of both public and privately held developers, recognized subcontractors, real estate investment trusts, and design professionals.

The architects, engineers, general and specialty contractors at BHA deliver a comprehensive multi-disciplinary expert support solution to clients concerned with all forms of production housing-related disputes. BHA experts bring a wealth of hands-on experience to bear on our residential designations, with many staff members having worked in the residential construction trades as project managers, superintendents, or in executive roles with major developers.

BHA, through designation on a multitude of production housing cases, brings an unequaled understanding of the interrelationships between developers, general contractors, and subcontractors. This, along with a comprehensive knowledge of contractual scopes of work and local standards of care and practice, positions BHA as the clear leader in analyzing subcontracts, preparing contractual scope analyses, and producing scope-based allocations of exposure. The Construction Experts Group at BHA is engaged by many Fortune 500 builders throughout the country.

COMMERCIAL HOUSING

In today's economic environment, construction-related litigation involving commercial and industrial projects are growing more and more prevalent. Delay claim cases, particularly in the public sector, are becoming more commonplace. With a vast amount of experience across all types of non-residential projects, the Experts Group at BHA stands ready to assist parties engaged in the development, construction, repair, or remodel of commercial and industrial spaces.

BHA's experience base encompasses the full range of commercial development, including heavy industrial and manufacturing, aerospace and tech (including clean rooms, server spaces and telecommunications and broadcast facilities), warehousing, retail and mixed-use facilities, and prefabricated structures.

The Experts Group at BHA brings a heightened understanding of commercial construction management and scheduling (including CPM), scheduling delay analysis, prime and subcontract agreement scope and interrelationships, and the myriad construction documents encountered on non-residential projects, including boilerplate and manuscript general conditions, project specifications and bid packets, submittals, RFIs, change orders, schedules of values, and progress payment requests.

HIGH-RISE & MID-RISE

High-rise and mid-rise projects present their own unique challenges when investigating and responding to construction defect and other construction-related claims. Curtain wall assemblies, sophisticated environmental and mechanical systems, vertical ingress and egress, as well as proprietary roofing and waterproofing systems, all contribute to the complexity of competently collecting data and preparing robust responses to allegations. Below-grade parking, site amenities, and dedicated infrastructure provide additional challenges to experts engaged on these cases.

For the forensic investigator, the large number of subcontractors, specialty trades, unique materials and architectural treatments, combined with the added management and scheduling parameters demanded during original construction, all require a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the construction processes and procedures inherent in high-rise and mid-rise development.

With experience in a multitude of mid- and high-rise developments across numerous jurisdictions and geographies, the credentialed Construction Experts Group at BHA is ideally suited to address these unique challenges: providing industry-leading professional services with the highest level of customer care.

INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS

The Experts Group at BHA is uniquely sensitive to the special care required when addressing construction-related claims involving places of worship. Churches, synagogues, and related facilities all require an appreciation for religious and cultural sensitivities, traditions, and protocols. As with other specialized construction types and occupancy groups, these facilities also have unique code requirements that demand the highest level of competence in investigation, interpretation, and analysis of alleged conditions.

BHA's depth of experience in providing service to those legal and insurance professionals engaged in claims involving places of worship is second to none. Our commitment to providing the highest level of professional service in a dignified and respectful manner, while vigorously investigating alleged issues, is unparalleled in the industry.

MUNICIPALITIES

Construction-related litigation involving public or municipal projects is becoming more prevalent. Delay claims for example, are becoming the most common claim on public projects. With unequalled experience across all types of Federal, State and Local projects, the Experts Group at BHA is uniquely qualified to assist parties engaged in the development, construction, repair, or remodel of public or municipal projects. BHA's experience base comprises the full range of project development, including heavy industrial and manufacturing, aerospace and tech (including clean rooms, server spaces and telecommunications and broadcast facilities), warehousing, mixed-use facilities, and prefabricated structures. The Experts Group at BHA applies decades of industry leading experience in the understanding and analysis of municipal project construction management and scheduling, including CPM analysis, scheduling delay analysis, prime and subcontract agreement scope and interrelationships, and unique construction document requirements encountered on public projects. BHA is uniquely qualified to provide expert analysis on any public project.

CUSTOM HOUSING
PRODUCTION HOUSING
COMMERCIAL HOUSING
HIGH-RISE & MID-RISE
INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS
MUNICIPALITIES

BHA PROJECT GALLERY

Eckstein Residence

A $1.7 million home in Paducah, Kentucky. Allegations of water intrusion and mold.

Firman Residence Chino Hills

Firman Residence Chino Hills, California

Mann Residence Santa Monica, California

Mann Residence. Santa Monica, California

Creamer Residence, South Carolina

Creamer Residence, South Carolina

Altezza at Newport Coast HOA

Altezza at Newport Coast HOA, California

Los Angeles Custom Home Beverly Hills, California

Los Angeles Custom Home Beverly Hills, California

Selby Residence

Selby Residence

Vasquez Residence Anaheim Hills

Vasquez Residence Anaheim Hills, California

Glassman Residence Newport Beach

Glassman Residence Newport Beach, California

Amburn Residence

35,000 sf home, located in Mount Pleasant, SC. Alleged defects include failure of the EIFS exterior cladding causing water intrusion and substantial damage to framing materials.

Dickens Senior Housing Project Sherman Oaks, California

Claims included water intrusion through roofing assemblies, stucco wall and window systems, and membrane waterproofing materials at public courtyards and walkways over the parking structure.

Duncan Residence, South Carolina

45,000 sf plantation home, involving allegedly defective EIFS siding. BHA provided an evaluation of defects and repair costs. BHA assisted in settlement of a $750,000 for less than $80,000.

Lish Residence Twinsburg, Ohio

EIFS exterior cladding, alleged window issues, and other building code deficiencies. BHA performed an evaluation of the plans, construction documents, and installation. BHA observed and documented removal and replacement of system.

Mission Ridge Apartments Las Vegas, Nevada

BHA was able to successfully allocate responsibility to multiple sources outside the insured's scope of work, resulting in a savings to the carrier in excess of 96% off the mediation demand.

University Of California Riverside V. Barnhard

A high pressure line break caused flood and erosion to UCR's new science building. Repairs required extensive excavation, recompaction, and repair to site and building.

Alta Mar Homeowners Association

Single family residential housing development.

KB Homes San Diego

KB Homes San Diego, California

Dominguez Hills HOA

Dominguez Hills, California HOA

Single family residential housing development.

Single family residential housing development.

Savannah Temecula, California

Multi-family residential housing development.

Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California

BHA was engaged to provide General Contracting and Architectural expert witness and trial support services relevant to multifaceted damage and defect claims asserted against the builder

Pepperdine University Malibu, California

A high pressure line break cased flood and erosion to UCR's new science building. Repairs required extensive excavation, recompaction, and repair to site and building.

California State University

Science Building - California State University, Fullerton, California

Fraternity San Diego, California

Fraternity Owners Association San Diego, California

Pepperdine University Malibu, California

Pepperdine University Malibu, California

Educational Facility Santa Barbara, California

Educational Facility Santa Barbara, California

101 Ocean Condominiums

101 Ocean Condominiums, California

701 Ocean Homeowners Association

701 Ocean Homeowners Association, California

City Front Terrace

City Front Terrace Homeowners Association San Diego, California

Forest City

Forest City California Residential Development San Diego, California

1018 Fourth Street

1018 Fourth Street Santa Monica, California

SSR Marlowe LLC

SSR Marlowe LLC Los Angeles, California

Bacara Resort

Construction defect and claims analysis - 73 acre five-star resort property with varied configurations of one, two, and four story villas, with spa, restaurant, convention halls and appurtenant guest and recreation facilities.

Georgian Hotels Group

Georgian Hotels Group

Las Vegas Club Hotel

A $5,000,000 remediation analysis of EIFS cladding and related exterior fenestration at the hotel tower portion of the casino. Specialized protocols were developed in order to accomplish exterior repairs without disruption of normal hotel and casino operations.

Skyline Wesleyan Church

Skyline Wesleyan Church

Holy Virgin Mary Church

Holy Virgin Mary Church

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California

Catholic Healthcare

Regional Medical Center Located in Southern California

Northern California Surgery Center

Northern California Surgery Center Turlock, California

California State Hospital Atascadero

Located on California's Central Coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Atascadero State Hospital (ASH) is a maximum security, forensic facility serving the entire state of California.

Hemet Valley Medical Center

The Experts Group at BHA provided site investigations, construction claims analysis, expert witness, and mediation support services in connection with complex multi-million dollar construction defect litigation.

San Bernardino Medical Center

Repair protocols developed by BHA were implemented resulting in substantial savings to insurers and continual, uninterrupted hospital operations during mold abatement remediation and repair.

Gilmore Farmers Market Los Angeles

Gilmore Farmers Market Los Angeles, California

International Coffee & Tea Los Angeles

International Coffee & Tea Los Angeles, California

Lady Footlocker

Lady Footlocker

Montalvo Shopping Center Ventura

Montalvo Shopping Center Ventura, California

Nadas Gas

Nadas Gas

Oxnard Unified School District

Oxnard Unified School District Oxnard, California

Coachella Valley Unified School Cochella, California

BHA services included, investigation and evaluation of alleged construction defect issues on behalf of general contractor.

Burns Pacific School, Southern California

BHA provided site inspections, claims analysis, construction expert, and cost estimating services in connection with claims asserted against the general contractor.

McFarland Unified School District

McFarland Unified School District

Ivycrest Montessori School

Construction defect and claims litigation involving a private Montessori school complex, library, auditorium and appurtenant structures.

Rio School District

Rio School District

Sage Hill School Newport Coast, California

A private coed college preparatory day school. BHA provided general construction investigation, expert witness/trial support services in connection with a complex construction defect litigation.

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DIGITAL INSPECTION SOFTWARE
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Let us show you why we are the industry leader

Significant cost savings through the use of our proprietary analysis software is passed on to the client.

Photos and inspection data are incorporated into detailed reports after inspection and are accessible the next day.


Ability to thoroughly and accurately determine exposure.

Analysis and pertinent case documents are available to clients 24 hours a day on the secure client access portal.

It all begins with utilization of
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