Who We Serve
Attorneys
Reliable causation, liability, and standard-of-care analysis for complex construction defect cases.
Technical Clarity for Complex Disputes
Construction defect disputes often hinge on what happened at the interfaces, sequencing, and scope boundaries. At DAI, we provide forensic architecture support for attorneys, including construction defect investigation, building envelope failure analysis, and standards-based opinions structured for technical and legal scrutiny.
We help legal teams translate technical records, field conditions, and building science into documented findings to support resolution discussions, mediation, or trial proceedings.
What We Help You Answer
- What failed, where it failed, and the probable cause of the observed damage based on available evidence
- Whether conditions are consistent with design, construction, maintenance, or manufacturing standards
- How scope boundaries, sequencing, and trade interfaces affected responsibility
- Whether work aligned with applicable standards of care and accepted industry practices
- What information is missing, what it could change, and what steps reduce uncertainty
- What repair approaches are technically reasonable and consistent with the identified conditions
Matters We Commonly Support
- Multi-Family Type I, III, and V construction
- Academic Institutions
- Retail and Entertainment Facilities
- Single family, tract and super-custom
- Water intrusion, waterproofing, and building envelope failures
- Cladding, roofing, fenestration (doors and windows), and flashing disputes
- Moisture pathways, mold conditions, and recurring leak history tied to causation
- Fire-rated assemblies and separation conditions
- Construction sequencing, substitutions, workmanship, and change-condition disputes
- Competing expert opinions requiring technical reconciliation and record-based review
- Liability allocation questions where multiple contributors may be present
How We Work With Attorneys
1) Case intake and theory alignment
We review allegations, claim postures, and case objectives, then define the technical questions that matter most.
2) Project record review
We evaluate drawings, specifications, submittals, RFIs, photos, reports, repair history, and key correspondence to establish a documented timeline and project baseline.
3) Targeted field investigation (as needed)
We document conditions focused on alleged failure mechanisms, interfaces, and potential contributing factors.
4) Analysis and opinion development
We connect the record and observations to technical reasoning, building science, and standards of care, then identify probable causal pathways and factors influencing responsibility allocation.
5) Reporting and litigation support
We provide written findings and, when requested, support mediation, deposition preparation, and trial proceedings.
Deliverables Legal Teams Typically Need
- Written technical memorandum or expert report
- Annotated exhibits, photo documentation, and condition narratives
- Timeline summaries, causation pathways, and responsibility mapping narratives
- Targeted questions for opposing experts and project participants
- Support for mediation strategy, settlement evaluation, and trial preparation
Systems and Conditions We Commonly Evaluate
Our forensic architecture work frequently involves the building envelope and high-risk interfaces, including roofing, waterproofing (horizontal and vertical), cladding systems, doors and windows, balconies and terraces, below-grade conditions, penetrations and terminations, and fire-rated or separation assemblies.
We focus on how systems interact in the field, including sequencing, scope boundaries, and compatibility between adjacent materials.
Related services
When to Engage Us
We support matters from early case evaluation through deposition and trial. Many clients bring us in when they need to evaluate a theory of causation, reconcile competing expert opinions, or identify what records and site observations will matter most. Early engagement can reduce cost by narrowing issues, clarifying next steps, and identifying gaps before positions harden.
What You Receive
Depending on posture and scope, we provide a technical memorandum or expert report structured for the case posture, annotated exhibits and photo documentation, causation narratives and timelines, and concise summaries that support mediation, settlement evaluation, or trial preparation.
Our findings are tied to the project record and observed conditions, with documented rationale and supporting references.
Who We Serve
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Get Technical Guidance
If you need causation, liability, or standard-of-care analysis for a complex construction defect matter, Domeier Architects can help you evaluate the record, investigate conditions, and support resolution with professional opinions.
FAQs
What types of cases do you support most often?
We commonly support construction defect disputes involving building envelope failures, water intrusion, cladding, roofing, fenestration, waterproofing, product failures, design liability and scope or cost conflicts.
Do you work on plaintiff and defense matters?
Yes. We support legal teams on all sides, providing independent technical analysis tied to the project record and observed conditions.
Can you help early, before litigation escalates?
Yes. Early technical review can help refine theories, identify missing information, and evaluate resolution options before costs rise.
What do you need to begin?
Typically drawings/specs, key photos, repair history, prior reports, and any pleadings or claim summaries. We can begin with available materials and identify information gaps as part of the review process.
Do you provide expert testimony support?
Yes. When requested, we provide support for mediation, deposition preparation, and testimony consistent with the needs of the matter.
How do you communicate findings to non-technical audiences?
We focus on clear, documented reasoning, using exhibits, annotated photos, and plain-language explanations that tie back to facts and standards.