Construction Risk Assessment and Forensic Services in Chicago, Illinois

VERTEX is a global leader in forensics, project advisory, compliance, and regulatory consulting services with a widespread presence across the Midwest. Our Illinois office is located in Chicago, offering valuable services to insurance carriers, law firms, sureties, commercial real estate owners, developers, property managers, as well as financiers, bankers, and insurers. Each project is handled with utmost attention to detail and with urgency. Our top-tier expertise in civil and structural engineering, construction and contracts, accounting, compliance, regulatory details and other niche skills offers you the right team for any project.

VERTEX offers comprehensive multidisciplinary solutions to projects and clients across the region. Our specialties for the healthcare industry and hospitals, multinationals, industrial owners and managers, and attorneys make us stand out in the professional services and AEC industry. Regarding the public sector, we take great pride in our work experience within higher education development, renewable resources, environmental cleanups, server farms, and bridge and highway design.

Forensic services and expert witnesses

Construction, environmental, engineering, and architectural expert witness services and other forensic consulting for AEC and contract matters are some of the essential services we provide to our Chicago clients. Thanks to the rich experience acquired through diverse types of disputes, VERTEX experts and specialists have you covered, whether the service you need is related to architecture, construction, civil engineering, contracts, accounting, or environmental and natural disasters.

Our multidisciplinary team is ready to take on any litigation or claim, investigate and gather all the technical evidence and facts, do the necessary analysis to determine the cause of failure, build a strong case, and present in court if necessary. Having a solid expert opinion resolves matters faster .

Environmental and construction due diligence

Environmental and construction due diligence is one of the essential components to any real estate transaction or financing, and to construction or development planning. It consists of a thorough investigation to evaluate environmental and property conditions and identify, prevent, or mitigate any potential risk associated with the real estate property or real estate development in question. It’s conducted by experts with extensive multidisciplinary knowledge or a team of professionals with expertise in different scientific fields. Due diligence services can be requested by certain government entities, as well as private contractors, owners, land developers, lenders, and other property or real estate stakeholders.

The environmental and property due diligence process aims to determine the presence of any of the possible recognized environmental conditions (RECs). The experts conduct their research by following the standards established by ASTM. Following ASTM guidelines and rules is necessary as property must be assessed according to a particular set of standards. After gathering the requisite data per ASTM standards, our Chicago environmental and construction due diligence experts provide a due diligence report.

Environmental loss control consulting

Environmental loss control is a method of containing and mitigating environmental risks and hazards that could arise from construction efforts, present danger to the public and environment, and cause various types of loss for policyholders and insurance companies. Exposure to hazardous materials and waste, chemical spills, mold or water intrusion, fires, or contamination are only some of the possible scenarios that can be prevented or mitigated.

Prevention or risk control is undoubtedly preferable to dealing with the consequences when the incident already happens. Prevention can be accomplished by integrating applicable methods and performance improvements into construction industry practices. VERTEX’s environmental loss control team in Chicago offers consulting and environmental remediation services. It proactively engages in prevention and alleviation efforts to reduce the risk of their occurrence or mitigate the severity of their consequences. Our team employs safety and risk management assistance to identify situations and conditions that could lead to undesirable consequences and losses.

Industrial hygiene services in Chicago

Industrial hygiene consulting firms like VERTEX utilize sampling and testing to evaluate and identify risks from various building materials, from construction activities and even from the natural environment, such as radon gas. Through sampling and testing, industrial hygienists aim to identify risks and protect the well-being and health of building occupants, construction site workers and community members living near active construction sites.

The job of industrial hygienist companies is to apply their expertise, adhere to health standards and regulations, and make sure that the workforce and the community aren’t impacted by various hazards that could be present on a construction site, within a building or naturally occurring in the environment. Those hazards might include:

• Chemical ones, like fumes or vapors.
• Biological, like bacteria or viruses.
• Physical, like radiation or heat.
• Air contaminants, like aerosols or fibers.

After identifying any potentially present risks, VERTEX experts compile data, analyze data alongside compliance and regulatory standards, provide reports and provide recommendations about optimal remediation, as required. When for active construction, VERTEX collaborates with project and construction site management to implement and integrate those programs and monitor progress. These effective practices help mitigate risks, protect workers, and local community members.

Construction risk assessment & monitoring

Since every construction project carries the possibility of unforeseen events and circumstances, our Chicago construction risk management team provides in-depth analysis and inspections to ensure that the project will run smoothly. People in the industry know that construction is a risky business; heavy machinery and equipment, large numbers of workers and external factors create a dynamic site with numerous moving parts that need careful monitoring to keep everyone safe and the work advancing according to plan.

This is why bringing an experienced team of experts and consultants in the early stages of a construction project can bring great value with risk assessment and monitoring services. Construction experts and technical professionals go over any potential risks, possible solutions, and suitable courses of action so project stakeholders can minimize challenges by responding in a safe and cost-effective way.

There are many aspects of a construction project to consider, but depending on the particularities of each construction program, they typically include:

• Environmental risks, both internal and external.
• Project risks.
• Financial risks.
• Legal risks.

Planning during the preconstruction phase and exploring all possible scenarios can prevent workflow disruption and delays, and optimize the owner’s ROI. Continuous risk monitoring and clear communication with the stakeholders and other involved parties are also essential parts of the process, and make mitigating potential mishaps easier and faster.

Property condition assessments

Property condition assessment (PCA) or property condition reporting (PCR) is one of the phases of a real estate due diligence. When it comes to commercial real estate, various types of building structures and other properties, or planning projects like renovations, being fully aware of the condition of the property in question is the deciding factor when determining how to proceed. Property condition assessment reports can, for example, help estimate renovation costs and help with budgeting or projecting a return on investment.

VERTEX’ experts in Chicago conduct investigations following the industry-accepted guidelines of ASTM. Following ASTM standards help divide the assessment process into four main stages:

• Interviews and documentation reviews.
• Walk-through surveys.
• Opinion about the costs needed to remedy any physical deficiencies.
• The completion of the Property Condition Report (PCR).

If the ASTM guide is meticulously followed, the client can rest assured that they will receive a PCR that provides the most accurate estimate and information about the property they might want to purchase, lease, maintain, renovate, or finance.