This week, we bid a fond farewell to our colleague and friend, Dave Rinker, who will be leaving Xpera to enjoy his well-deserved retirement.
This week, we bid a fond farewell to our colleague and friend, Dave Rinker, who will be leaving Xpera to enjoy his well-deserved retirement.
Topics: News, Quality Assurance
Last summer, we shared the news that Xpera Group was acquired by The Vertex Companies, Inc. (VERTEX), a global provider of forensic consulting, ...
SUBJECT: Construction Delay Claims for South Orange County Community College District
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, California, Construction Claims, Hendrik Prinsloo
Until very recently, hardly anybody in the real estate business in San Diego County talked about industrial property. It was the forgotten child. It was right up there with self-storage and vacant land in Jacumba.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Industrial Construction
I was recently asked to participate in a panel discussion on the topic of California’s SB 721 and SB 326 as part of a rare joint event.
Topics: California, Brian Hill, Building Codes and Standards, Balcony, Multifamily, Publications, Code Compliance Review, Residential Construction
Quality Assurance (QA) has been one of Xpera’s signature service offerings for nearly a decade. The service itself actually pre-dates the formation of Xpera, going back 20 years, under the leadership of Director of Quality Assurance John Kyrklund.
...Topics: QA, John Kyrklund, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality management, Residential Construction
“Delay always breeds danger,” said Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, one of the greatest writers of all time. This statement made in the 16th century still holds true today, especially in the construction industry.
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Hendrik Prinsloo
When acquiring new real estate or managing an existing property portfolio, it is essential to have the critical information needed to make smart decisions. Xpera has been assisting clients with the physical aspects of due diligence with property condition ...
Topics: Property Condition Assessment, vertex
Last year’s wildfires destroyed thousands of homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of households in California’s Wildlife Urban Interface (WUI) zones. The wildfires represent the most expansive and destructive series ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, Market Research, California, Fire-Resistive Construction
To say that 2020 was a difficult year would be an understatement. From an economic standpoint, it was on par with the 2008 financial crisis. However, there are a couple of major differences.
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, United States, Publications
If you have been following our series of articles about balcony inspection laws in California, you are well aware of the fact that water trapped inside unvented balcony soffits can result in damage to the interior wood structural components, which can lead to ...
Topics: California, Law, Scott Riffenburgh, Balcony, Water Intrusion Investigation
SUBJECT: Construction Dispute Involving Custom Luxury Home
Topics: Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, California, Steve Hill, Custom Homes, From Our Case Files, Custom Home Construction
Many contractors we work with have corporate bylaws or internal due-diligence protocols in
place that require a third party to oversee building enclosure QA/ QC aspects of a project. Even when architects or developers have their own consultant on board, many ...
Topics: General Contractor, Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Kirk O'Brien, Quality Assurance
“The storyteller makes no choice
Soon you will not hear his voice
His job is to shed light
And not to master
Since the end is never told
We pay the teller off in gold
In hopes he will come ...
Topics: Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Brian Hill, Construction Claims, Publications
In 2020, when we announced that Xpera Group was acquired by The Vertex Companies, Inc. (VERTEX) we told you that this move would allow us to ...
Topics: Surety Claims, vertex
The party scene in downtown San Diego may not be as vibrant as it was pre-COVID, but that has not stopped the construction industry from moving forward with vigor. We have recently updated our database of projects in downtown and remain somewhat amazed at how much ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Market, Commercial Construction, Residential Construction
As 2020 draws to a close, we would like to thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to the year ahead and wish you and your ...
Topics: Announcements, News, Video
As Xpera Group celebrates its 11th anniversary, we have some exciting news to share. Xpera has been acquired by The Vertex Companies Inc. (VERTEX), an employee-owned AEC firm headquartered in Weymouth, MA with offices throughout North America.
Topics: News
Here we are, months into the COVID-19 crisis and life goes on.
Topics: Economics, San Diego, Market Research
By understanding key terms in California’s balcony laws (SB721 and SB326), owners and managers can avoid being misled by less informed service providers – or worse.
When California first passed SB721, and later SB326, there were ...
Topics: California, Law, Balcony
SUBJECT: Negligent Property Condition Assessment Involving Failing Balconies
LOCATION: Seattle, WA
CLIENT: Jack Leer, Partner, Caldarelli Hejmanowski Page & Leer, LLP San Diego, CA
...Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Balcony, From Our Case Files, Property Condition Assessment, Pacific Northwest
“Waterproofing disasters can often be prevented with the stroke of a pen.”
Topics: Specialty Experts, Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, Kirk O'Brien, Water Intrusion Investigation
When buying real estate, completing a thorough due diligence investigation is paramount. After the acquisition closes, the property is yours – along with all of its unique benefits and challenges. At that point, it is too late to address issues with the previous ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Property Condition Assessment, Bill Kennedy
In early-2019, I wrote an article for Xpera’s newsletter about regional shopping centers in San Diego County.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research
The impact of COVID-19 on Americans has been intense and will likely be long-lasting. A new, heightened awareness of the dangers of infectious disease could impact the decisions that we make for years to come. This is especially true in terms of where people ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Market Research, Trends, Rami Chehabi
We are pleased to announce the addition of a distinguished new member to Xpera Group. Hendrik Prinsloo, Ph.D., has joined our Forensics Group team as manager of scheduling and delay analysis.
...Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Hendrik Prinsloo
Rami Chehabi has joined the Xpera Forensic Group, focusing on research and analysis to support the evaluation of thousands of property loss claims resulting from California wildfires. Chehabi has ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Claims, Construction Forensics, News, Property Loss, Rami Chehabi
Xpera Group welcomes Yaron (Ron) Tov, AIA, an architect with more than 25 years of experience providing forensic architectural services to property owners, builders, architects, contractors and other ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Architecture, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Member Spotlight, Ron Tov
This article on extrapolation in construction litigation was originally written & published years ago by the author. The last republishing of the article was at the 2014 West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar.
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Publications, Construction Defect Claims
Whether you're buying a property or you're looking for real estate investment opportunities, having a consultant who does in-depth evaluations can save you from trouble. However, if things have gone wrong and you unfortunately end up in a real estate dispute, ...
Topics: Valuation
COVID-19 has forever changed America’s image of what constitutes a safe residential community. Once considered the epitome of the America Dream, ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, California, Bill Kennedy
The impact of the COVID-19 has been far- reaching, not only on the health and well-being of society but also on different spheres of the business sector. The construction industry is no exception and has not escaped the havoc created by the pandemic.
...Topics: Project Management Practices, Construction Delay Claims, Construction Management, Risk Management, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Hendrik Prinsloo
The impact of COVID-19 on our economy is unmistakable. Is it like 1929? I think not. Is it very serious? Absolutely. But, to accurately gauge the severity of the situation, we need to look at the national economy, first and ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, California, Publications
By Ted Bumgardner, Justin Cox and Brian Hill
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Real Estate Development, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Publications
In multi-family residential buildings, Exterior Elevated Elements (EEEs), such as balcony decks, upper landings or walkways, must be evaluated as part of compliance under recently passed California laws,
Topics: CM/Development Services, Apartments, Condominiums, Brian Hill, Balcony, Publications, Construction Defect Claims
41-UNIT LUXURY CONDOMINIUM PROJECT SAN DIEGO, CA
Services: Building Envelope and Quality Assurance Services
Topics: Building Envelope, Steve Easton, John Kyrklund, Condominiums, Quality Assurance, Client Spotlight, Featured Project - BE
As a fairly new country (compared to, say, those in Europe and Asia), the United States started out with very few cities. In 1800, almost the entire population lived in rural areas. As industrialization took off, the economic shift produced the rise of ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, San Diego, Apartments, Affordable Housing, Publications
Multi-family investments have always been a safe haven for investment dollars. But, is this changing?
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Apartments, Multifamily, Publications, Real Estate Asset Management, Bill Kennedy
ENR Webinar Recap
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, General Contractor Standards, Litigation, Construction Claims, Publications
I recently had the opportunity to prepare a utility demand forecast for the Otay Water District. After completing my on-line research and chatting with a few border-friendly clients, I took the occasion to spend a day at the border.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, San Diego, Market Research, California, Land Development
This is the first installment in a series of articles from our Building Envelope Group
addressing ways to improve practices in waterproofing design and construction.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, Kirk O'Brien, Quality Assurance, Publications, Water Intrusion Investigation, Architecture Design Defect Analysis
Passed in September 2019 and taking effect this month, California Assembly Bill 1482 puts a cap on rental increases for apartments. For tenants’ rights and affordable housing advocates, this is seen as a major win. For apartment owners and ...
Topics: CM/Development Services, Property Owner/Manager, Apartments, Rental Property, California, Brian Hill, Law, Scott Riffenburgh, Multifamily, Publications, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management
For the AEC industry in California, 2020 will be a year of change. As of January 1, the 2019 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) is in effect for all new construction and renovation projects.
Topics: Architecture, Construction Forensics, California, Green Building, Energy, Title 24, Sustainability, Law, Publications
Alan Nevin is an Advisory Board Member for UCSD's Real Estate Development Department.
There’s a battle afoot among University of California campuses when it comes to enrollment growth. UCSD is currently in third place ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Land Development
Many of us are familiar with the terms “El Niño” and “La Niña” from our local weather reports. These periodic changes in surface temperatures over the Pacific create two distinct weather patterns in California. La Niña years are typically dry, and sometimes create ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Forensics, John O'Donnell, Residential, Property Loss, Water Intrusion Investigation
The Mamas and the Papas got it right!
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, Market Research, California
One thing that has certainly changed over the 30 years that I have been providing expert witness analysis and testimony on construction disputes has been the size of the files we work with. The unit of measure for case documents has evolved from the Banker’s Box ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction, Construction Legal Issues, Publications
Architects design places where people live, work and play, but their creative process isn’t done in a vacuum. It relies on input from the developer and other stakeholders, as well as their own design knowledge and experience. However, for a building project to be ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Architecture, Market Research, Feasibility Study, Valuation, Publications, Residential Construction
Xpera Group is pleased to announce the recent addition of Bruce Bergman, AIA, to our Construction Consulting and Real Estate Advisory division. He brings with him over 34 ...
Topics: Architecture, Risk Management, Construction Forensics, Construction Consultant, News, Sustainability, Member Spotlight, real estate advisory
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Stephen Wilson, California, Los Angeles, Quality Assurance, Construction, Quality management, Custom Homes, Custom Home Construction, Residential Construction
Subject: Federal Breach of Contract & Delay Claim Resolution
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction, From Our Case Files, Breach of Contract Claims, Featured Project - CS
Building a high-quality home doesn’t happen by accident. It takes an entire team of skilled professionals, both in the planning room and in the field, working together to craft a structure that will last for generations.
Topics: John Kyrklund, Quality Assurance, Quality management
Australia is now in its 28th consecutive year without a recession. The population of Australia is pushing 25 million, almost the same as the population of Southern California.
Why can’t we in Southern Californians emulate Australia?
Topics: Economics, California
We are proud to announce that William Kennedy, CPA, one of California's leading land development consultants, has joined the ranks of Xpera Group.
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, News, Member Spotlight
When we first reported on SB 721, California’s balcony bill requiring inspection of Exterior Elevated Elements (EEEs), the draft included condos and other “common interest development” buildings. That provision was removed, however, in an amendment before it was ...
Topics: California, Law, Balcony
Experienced attorneys usually have go-to sources for construction and engineering experts. However, cases in construction litigation can be curve-balls, where the expertise required is different from initial expectations or the issues are complex and need deep ...
Topics: Civil Engineering, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction Legal Issues, Engineering, Construction Defect Claims
Subject: Sub-Contractor Claim Resolution
Client: Randy Finch and Andrea Petray, Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP, San Diego, CA
Expert: Ted Bumgardner
Topics: Surety Claims, Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files, Featured Project - CS
Over the past decade, more than 1,000 golf courses have closed across the country. In all honesty, many of them should never have been built. They were built solely to facilitate the marketing of new homes or new hotels, but never made economic sense. Between 2002 ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Market Research, real estate advisory
In this industry, we know quite well that Mother Nature can be tough on buildings, even in generally temperate regions like California. The main purpose of any built structure is to shelter us from the harshest of conditions, to act as a shield against cold, heat, ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, Construction Forensics, Publications, Water Intrusion Investigation, Damage Assessments, Building Materials
Over the past couple of years, we’ve written extensively about how the proper inspection of balconies, decks and other exterior elevated elements (EEEs), can prevent unnecessary risks to the life-safety and health of building occupants. As you may know, ...
Topics: Construction Safety, California, Construction Legal Issues, Law, Balcony
You could say it was the party of the decade (for Xpera)!
Once again, the Xpera Group team is expanding to serve the needs of clients in our various specialty groups.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Construction Forensics, News, San Diego, Los Angeles, Quality Assurance
2019 marked the 26th anniversary of West Coast Casualty’s Construction Defect Seminar
(WCCCDS), which took place in May at the Disneyland Hotel. As we have done every year
since our founding a decade ago, Xpera was a sponsor of the event and many of our key ...
Topics: Defects Analysis, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Claims, Construction Defect, Construction Defect Claims
This spring, the Xpera team was pleased to join many of our clients, colleagues and friends at the annual Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
Topics: Events, Production Homebuilder, PCBC, Trends
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that John McGinnis, one of Xpera’s founding investors, passed away on May 16.
For creating residential subdivisions, getting a tentative map approved is a major milestone where many regulatory issues from various agencies are resolved and the remaining conditions to final approval become known. The subject of tentative map life for ...
Topics: Entitlement / Land Use, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Law, Land Development, Bill Kennedy
Those of us who develop or own buildings, seeing the property utilized to its fullest and contribute to the community is a satisfying feeling. While there is often a financial benefit to maximizing the use of a property, in the big picture, buildings and property ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, real estate advisory
Crime dramas and police procedurals have taught people how essential forensic science can be for solving crimes. But the field of forensics goes far beyond fingerprints, DNA, ballistics and tool imprint analysis. With exception of a handful of cases, forensic ...
Topics: Construction Forensics
Fall-related accidents are associated with high-risk industries such as roofing and construction, but they can also occur in other work environments that aren’t normally associated with workplace accidents. While most jobs don’t require working on elevated ...
Topics: Walkway Auditing, Risk Management, Facilities Management, Property Condition Assessment
The construction process involves many moving parts and a diverse team of professionals working together. With this era’s shortage of skilled labor, the process is fragile, so complications can easily create delays or even total standstills in the construction ...
San Diego isn’t Manhattan or San Francisco and never will be. But, it can be built out with higher-density building product that will accommodate a broad range of buyer and renter types.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research
We are pleased to announce that Kirk O’Brien, an award-winning architect and past president of the AIA San Diego Chapter, has ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, Los Angeles, Kirk O'Brien, Water Intrusion Investigation, Architecture Design Defect Analysis
At the core of most construction-related lawsuits is the plaintiff’s burden to establish the failure of the defendant to exercise reasonable care, resulting in actual damages to a person or entity that the defendant owed a duty of care.
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Publications
Strategies for achieving better outcomes and saving costs in high-stakes legal disputes
Topics: Computer Forensics, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Brian Hill, Construction Claims, Construction Legal Issues
Subject: General Contractor vs. Sub-Contractor Claim Resolution
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files, Construction Defect Claims, Featured Project - CS
As many of you are aware, California Senate Bill 721 is an issue we have been following closely here at Xpera for the last couple of years. Signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown last September and made effective January 1, 2019,
Topics: Construction Safety, California, Brian Hill, Law, Balcony, Steve Grimes
Our Quality Assurance (QA) team is always looking to up its game—including expanding and updating our skills and depth of ...
Topics: News, Quality Assurance
Construction contractors live with risk every day, both in workplace safety and a whole slew of financial risks and legal disputes. It’s no secret that many private-owned construction companies end up closing shop in less than a decade, smaller contracting firms ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Risk Management, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims, Construction Defect Claims
Construction projects usually have a clearly defined start date – it normally occurs days after the Notice to Proceed date – yet when you ask the project manager when the project will be complete, the answer may sound ambiguous. That is because there are different ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Claims, Risk Management, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims
Last month, Alan Nevin was a guest to Wealth Legacy Group's podcast with R.J. Kelly. The discussion went into a wide variety of economic topics such as car and home sales, how millennials are going to impact the wider economy, demographic shifts occurring ...
Topics: Economics, Events, Alan Nevin, In The News, real estate advisory
We have some exciting news to share about the Xpera leadership team as we kick off our 10th year in business in 2019.
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, News, Steve Grimes, Management Team
Next generation of high-rise buildings might use advanced engineered wood for structural integrity and sustainability, but what are the risks?
Topics: Architecture, Brian Hill, Building Codes and Standards, US Green Building Council, Sustainability, Scott Riffenburgh, Publications, Commercial Construction, Building Materials
It’s no secret that water intrusion can spell disaster for a building. In fact, leak damage is the single biggest driver of construction defect litigation. As projects and regulations become increasingly complex, it is more difficult than ever to maintain quality ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Steve Easton
As construction professionals, we tend to focus a lot of our time on new buildings. It can be easy to forget that they represent a very small segment of the overall industry. Most people live and work in structures that were built decades ago, benefiting from the ...
Topics: Construction and Maintenance, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory, Property Condition Assessment
Once upon a time, regional shopping centers were king. They were the destination for everyone’s shopping. They had a real purpose.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Real Estate Asset Management
California is no stranger to introducing hundreds of new laws each year. 2018 proved to be even more ambitious than usual, with several areas of legislation impacting the construction and real estate industries.
Topics: Real Estate Development, California, Law, Commercial Construction, Residential Construction
Most properties do not stay the way they’ve been built. Shifts in the real estate market, demographics, and the way people live and work over the years play a major role in whether a building stays in high demand or is able to stay rented at a rate that keeps up ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Asset Valuations, Real Estate Asset Management
In construction litigation and construction claims one term gets brought up time and time again: standard of care. Standard of care analysis is often used when there’s a delay, the building(s) have construction defects or when a party alleges that someone breached ...
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, General Contractor Standards, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Building Codes and Standards
The architectural world in November started with a bang with AIA San Diego's Design Awards ceremony, which celebrated the region's outstanding architecture and design. The event was held at The Alexandria at Torrey Pines, next door to the Farmer & The Seahorse ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Architecture, Events, San Diego, California, Sustainability
When people think about design, construction and real estate, “innovative” and “forward-thinking” probably aren’t the first words that come to mind.
Topics: Construction Safety, Construction Management, Risk Management, Brian Hill, Quality Assurance, building science, Construction, Innovation and Technology, Trends, insurance, Commercial Construction, Residential Construction
Suffolk has a lofty company vision:
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, San Diego, Steve Easton, Quality Assurance, Client Spotlight
Subject: Property Valuation & Investment Strategy
Topics: Specialty Experts, Alan Nevin, Property Owner/Manager, Testifying Expert, Market Research, Rental Property, From Our Case Files, Asset Valuations, Real Estate Asset Management, Featured Project - CS
We have all heard the old adage:
Topics: Project Management Practices, Construction Management, CM/Development Services, Tim Ireland, project assessment
Those who have visited our website the past few weeks may have noticed something new. We have reorganized our pages relating to Real Estate Consulting Services, which was previously listed as CM/Development Services. We have revamped this group of services to ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, CM/Development Services, Website, project assessment
While San Diego’s construction industry is bustling with activity, it is important to sometimes step away from the office and job site and participate in the community.
Topics: community
October 22 Update: Since writing this article, the City council today has decided to rescind the short-term rental regulations with a vote 8-1.
Last year, HomeAway, the vacation rentals brand owned ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Rental Property, Residential, real estate advisory
In late September, the San Diego Global Partnership had put together their first ever conference called the Global Investment Forum. The forum brings together both public and private organizations to explore opportunities in Southern California and Baja California ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Events, Alan Nevin, San Diego, In The News
Those who have followed our series of articles about balcony risk are well aware of the incoming legislation. The Balcony Bill, formally known as California Senate Bill 721, has been amended close to a dozen times, but finally passed in the state legislature with ...
Topics: Balcony
Modern commercial and residential buildings often include spaces below ground level. The areas below the grade level are often used for parking, utility rooms, storage for maintenance and tunnels for services and communication conduits. As part of the building ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Assurance
Doing everything right the first time around can seem expensive, especially when the change orders roll in during a project’s plan reviews or during the course of construction. It’s not easy to agree to the extra costs since they ultimately impact the ROI. The ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Assurance, Water Intrusion Investigation
In recent years, the real estate business has become increasingly exacting for individuals involved in it, and the need for real estate development consulting firms has never been higher. ...
Topics: Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Many businesses and individual investors understand the value of hiring attorneys and accountants for handling specific tasks. When it comes to real estate, even some experienced developers are still not quite sure why they should hire the services of a real ...
Topics: real estate advisory
When a business sets a goal, they may not have all the resources and knowledge to perform the tasks in order to reach it. The business would often reach out to one or more consultants who have the expertise in that plays a part in ...
Topics: Real Estate Developer, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
When it comes to diversifying your portfolio, many commercial real estate consulting firms as well as sophisticated wealth management firms advise investing in ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Commercial Real Estate Broker/Agent, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Bob Dylan said it best: “The times they are a-changing.” They certainly are in the construction industry, particularly with regard to skilled labor availability and material costs.
Topics: Economics, CM/Development Services, Cost Estimating, James Weber
I have been accused of reading tea leaves to assist in my forecasting prognostications. Fortunately, the state of the economy is such that by simply using the government’s most mundane data, I can forecast with some degree of certainty the status of the economy ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Market Research
The old adage that “Time is Money” has never been more true than as it relates to the development and construction of revenue producing properties. Between the Owner’s debt service expense on multi-million-dollar loans, lost revenue and the Contractor’s ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of West Coast Casualty’s annual Construction Defect Seminar. Prior to its acquisition by Xpera, Roel Consulting Group was a founding sponsor of this leading educational event and Xpera has proudly continued to support WCC ever ...
Topics: Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Brian Hill, Construction Claims
Our Quality Assurance team is proud to have a long working history with many of our clients. In fact, it’s not unusual for these relationships to span 10 years, 15 years or longer. That is the case with two of our current homebuilder clients, ...
Topics: Quality Assurance, Building Codes and Standards, Client Spotlight, Code Compliance Review, Residential Construction
Xpera is pleased to welcome two more seasoned members to the Building Envelope team.
Topics: Building Envelope, News, Quality Assurance
Several years ago, we did an analysis to predict which zip codes would have the fastest return to pre-recession levels for single-family homes. That analysis looked at all 90 zip codes in San Diego County. The results indicated that the higher the SATs for the ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego
Real Estate Development is not for the faint of heart. Whether it's a spec house, high-rise complex or a master planned community, economics dictates that if it doesn't meet some form of demand when it's completed, you will have a hard time making good returns no ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Market Research
Decks are beautiful additions to any type of home – be it a house, a condo or an apartment. It’s a versatile space that is especially coveted in the Californian climate. However, decks have to be properly built and maintained, otherwise they become serious and ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Water Intrusion Investigation
Any kind of investing, including real estate, brings most value if you can walk the fine line between maximizing gain and minimizing risk. However, finding the golden balance is something only you can do (alone, or with the help of a real estate advisor in ...
Topics: Finance, Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Real Estate Portfolio Analysis, Real Estate Asset Management, real estate advisory
Through my work in construction forensics over the past 20 years, I have had a front row seat to over 1,000 construction lawsuits, claims and other disputes. From allegations over defective design, manufacture or installation, to claims of delay or cost overruns, ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Trends, Publications, Construction Defect Claims
In April, the Xpera team had the opportunity to give a presentation to the San Diego Defense Lawyers group on the subject of construction delay claims.
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, News, Construction Claims
Please join us in welcoming the latest additions to our Building Envelope Group.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Water Intrusion Investigation
There is a whole lot of building activity happening right now at UC San Diego, and Xpera is proud to once again be a part of the action.
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Quality Assurance, Featured Project - BE, Code Compliance Review
Over the years, Xpera Group has been involved in a consulting capacity in numerous wildfires throughout California, with our most prominent engagement involving the 2007 fires in Southern ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Claims, Cost of Repair, Alan Nevin, Cost Estimating, Custom Homes, Residential, Property Loss, Economic Damages / Loss of Value, Custom Home Construction, Reconstruction, Residential Construction
Subject: Stair/Balcony Construction Analysis
Client: Matthew J. Speredelozzi, Esq, San Diego, CA
Expert: Stephen Wilson, Xpera Building Envelope Group
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Stephen Wilson, Building Codes and Standards, From Our Case Files, Construction Defect Claims, Featured Project - CS
Our esteemed director of economic and market research, Alan Nevin, is once again making headlines for his industry leadership and accomplishments, this time on an international scale.
Topics: Entitlement / Land Use, Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, News, In The News, Market Research
We are thrilled to announce that Tony Fulton has joined Xpera’s diverse team of experts.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Finance, Construction Management, Architecture, Member Spotlight, Tony Fulton
If you were to peruse a list of building awards over the past 10 years, you’d see that a sizable portion of the projects hold LEED and/or other sustainability certifications. There’s no doubt that more businesses are deciding to invest in sustainability for their ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Energy Management Systems, Green Building, Building Codes and Standards, US Green Building Council, Sustainability, LEED, Code Compliance Review
Xpera Group is proud to exhibit once again at West Coast Casualty’s Annual Construction Defect Seminar in Anaheim. This highly anticipated event, now in its 25th year, brings together well over 1,000 of the nation’s top construction attorneys and insurance ...
Topics: Events, Construction Forensics, News, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Law
A testifying expert can be a tremendous asset to your case. Read on to find answers to the most common questions relating to expert witnesses in construction cases, but feel free to reach out to us if you’d like answers that pertain directly to your case.
...Topics: Specialty Experts, Testifying Expert
Given the complexity of construction projects, it’s understandable they are fraught with possibility of claims. Actually, at least one quarter of construction projects go through a claim. Claims equal delays, frustration, financial losses and strained or ruined ...
Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Claims, Construction Claims, Breach of Contract Claims, Construction Defect Claims
Every construction project owner wants to get the highest possible quality at least possible cost. Positioning a construction project like that, you may be tempted to wonder whether ...
An ongoing series exploring cases involving Xpera Group’s team of experts.
Subject: Property loss evaluations for hundreds of properties destroyed or severely ...
Topics: Cost of Repair, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Cost Estimating, From Our Case Files, Property Loss, Featured Project - CS
First, the basics. The Critical Path Method, or CPM, is the most commonly used scheduling technique in the construction industry today, designed to minimize delays and enhance accountability, so that projects can progress most effectively and efficiently.
...Topics: Construction Delay Claims, Construction Forensics, Construction Claims, Publications
In Fall 2017, Xpera’s Building Envelope Group began consulting work for the University of California, Irvine. Our team is providing roofing and building envelope waterproofing expertise for two capital ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, News, Featured Project - BE
California Senate Bill 721, which would mandate the inspection of elevated exterior elements (EEEs) for all multi-family projects with at least three units, is moving forward.
Topics: California, Brian Hill, Construction Legal Issues, Law, Balcony
The State of California is known for many great things, including sunny weather, proximity to the ocean, an incredibly robust economy, technological innovation, leadership in sustainability initiatives, and some of the best real estate on the planet. For better or ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, California, Construction, Construction Legal Issues, Law
Xpera Group recently provided the Douglas Wilson Companies with an interesting fiscal impact study for its Sweetwater Vistas project in Spring Valley. The 218-unit townhome project will be built on land formerly planned as part of The Pointe master-planned ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, CM/Development Services, San Diego, Market Research, Feasibility Study
It was with heavy hearts that we bid farewell in December to our friend and colleague Bill Kopperud, who passed away after an off-road accident.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Building Envelope
The Xpera team was thrilled to once again work with San Diego Habitat for Humanity on a recent affordable housing project in our community.
Topics: News
When a case requires forensic building investigations for finding construction defects, how do you find and choose the expert witness to work with?
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction Defect
Alan Nevin, Xpera Group's Director of Economic & Market Research, just published his 2018 Economic forecast for the United States and California. As one of the nation's top Real Estate Economists, Mr. ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, News, Market Research, Housing Permits, California, Video, Trends
Merriam Webster dictionary defines expert as “having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience”. However, an expert isn’t always a good expert witness. And many can testify to the fact that a good expert ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, Construction Legal Issues
James Weber joined Xpera Group as director of cost estimating in 2015. He is our “go-to-guy” for all things cost-related, including feasibility studies, forensic review, value estimating, expert witness testimony and estimating oversight.
Topics: Electrical, Cost of Repair, Cost Estimating, James Weber, Member Spotlight
Having an effective Quality Assurance program for construction with clear and well established procedures goes a long way in constructing a building that will stand the test of time. No matter how great the superintendent or professional workforce may be at their ...
Topics: QA, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality management, Publications
About a year ago, I had the honor of representing Xpera Group at Zweig Group’s annual Hot Firms conference, which celebrates the top architecture, engineering and construction consulting firms in the country. In her opening keynote address, Zweig’s director of ...
Topics: Construction Forensics, Brian Hill, Innovation and Technology, Trends, Publications
A penny saved is a penny earned. And a process for finding and preventing wasted dollars on major construction contracts is a worth its weight in gold. It's called construction auditing.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Cost Estimating, Patricia Campbell, Construction Auditing
Design-Build has become a very popular project delivery method for both the private and public sectors within the construction industry. As a modernized take on the “master builder” model that has served mankind for millennia, the contract creates a single ...
Topics: Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Construction Legal Issues, Publications, contracts
The toll of natural disasters over the past several months has been shocking. While we watch the evening news with empathy for the victims of flooding, fires and earthquakes, I’m sure many of us are asking ourselves what would we do in similar circumstances.
...Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Risk Management, Construction Forensics, Publications, Property Loss, Damage Assessments
Over the past few years, Xpera Group has become increasingly active in downtown San Diego construction.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Developer, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research
Leaks are more than a nuisance. Damage caused by water intrusion is the single most costly driver of construction defect litigation, totaling billions of dollars over the last 20 years. That’s why it’s critical to ensure that a property’s building envelope systems ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Quality management
Alan Nevin was recently interviewed by Chad Dannecker on The American Dream TV Show, shown at Cox Channel 4 San Diego.
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego
Recently Alan Nevin took a dive analyzing the latest report by the Population Reference Bureau to see how the United States fares in comparison to the rest of the industrialized world. The major trend that is impacting the industrialized world's economy is the ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, In The News, United States, Trends
In May, over 1,200 construction law professionals from across the United States gathered for West Coast Casualty’s 24th annual Construction Defect Seminar in Anaheim, CA. Numerous legal and insurance industry thought-leaders presented the latest developments in ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Testifying Expert, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Defect, Law
Subject: Projects in Distress
Attorney: David Cardone, Founding Partner, Dunn DeSantis Walt & Kendrick
Expert: Ted Bumgardner
Topics: Specialty Experts, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, Testifying Expert, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files
“We have a problem.” How many times have we all gotten that call?
Topics: Project Management Practices, Construction Management, CM, Ted Bumgardner, CM/Development Services, Construction Claims
Alliance Residential is one of the largest privately-held multifamily real estate companies in the United States, with a $15 billion portfolio across 19 states and 29 metropolitan markets. As an active buyer, builder and manager, the firm credits a proactive risk ...
Topics: Building Envelope, BE, Steve Easton, Quality management, Client Spotlight
In the eyes of this economist, the last president to make a significant impact on the economy was President Carter. He ignored his economists’ advice and allowed inflation and interest rates to soar, resulting in a three-year recession that almost destroyed the ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Market Research, Market, California
Within Xpera Group, there are so many team members that keep each of our service groups running smoothly and efficiently. You may hear their voices on the other end of the phone or see their names pop up in your email inbox, but we’d like to take a moment to ...
Topics: QA, Quality Assurance
Part 3: Industry Issues Series
Topics: Specialty Experts, Architecture / Engineering, Construction Forensics, Brian Hill, Balcony, Publications
The following is a guest column from Jeff Cavignac, president of San Diego insurance brokerage firm Cavignac & Associates, who has been a trusted colleague and service provider for Xpera Group for a number of years. We thank ...
Topics: Architecture, Litigation, California, Law, insurance, Publications
Slips, trips and falls are the most common accidents to occur in the workplace and in public spaces. One of the most effective ways to identify and handle the risk of slip and fall claims is by having a Certified Walkway Auditor perform a Walkway Audit. Yet, few ...
Topics: Walkway Auditing, Risk Management, Stephen Wilson, building science, Publications
Xpera Group's Alan Nevin was interviewed and featured in a segment this week on ABC 10News San Diego. A recent study on housing has reported that the metro-area needs to add around 72,000 apartment units by 2030. However Mr. Nevin has informed 10News that the ...
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Apartments, In The News
Have you explored our website recently? If not, now would be a great time.
Topics: Announcements, News, Website
This is Part 2 of our three part series. You can read from the beginning here and the last article
Topics: Ted Bumgardner, Apartments, California, Brian Hill, Building Codes and Standards, Balcony, Publications
This is a supplement of Part 2: Hidden Dangers of Wood-Framed Cantlilevered Balconies of our three Part Balcony Series. You can ...
Topics: Apartments, California, Building Codes and Standards, Balcony
Xpera CM is proud to be working with The Richman Group of California to provide construction management services on three exciting projects in Southern California.
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services, News, San Diego, California, Featured Project - CM
Xpera Group is pleased to announce Jeff Asher as our newest member. He joins our forensics and litigation support team as a structural engineer with more than 35 years of experience in the construction and design industry.
Topics: Structural Engineering, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Jeff Asher, Member Spotlight
Xpera CM is wrapping up a two-year construction management project for Wakeland Housing and Development Corp. in San Diego.
Atmosphere is a new affordable housing community in downtown San ...
Topics: Building Envelope, CM, CM/Development Services, News, San Diego, California, Affordable Housing, Featured Project - CM, Featured Project - BE
At Xpera Group, our business model is simple: We listen to our clients’ needs and tailor our services to fit those needs. As a company, that means we’re continuously growing and evolving, adding new areas of expertise to make us even more of a “one-stop-shop” for ...
Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Alan Wilson, Building Systems Commissioning
Most industry professionals who have been around the block a few times will tell you they’ve seen it all. That is, until they’re surprised by a major problem they’ve never encountered before. When these surprises involve waterproofing issues, the ripple effects ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Waterproofing Systems, Architecture, News, Steve Easton, Kirk O'Brien, Quality Assurance, AIA
If the Empire State Building took less than 14 months to construct back in the 1930s, why does it often take years to build a custom home?
Topics: Construction Management, CM/Development Services, California, Custom Homes, Publications
As most of my students and audiences have learned over the years, for an industrialized nation to prosper, it is necessary to have two children born for every mom and dad. If that birth rate falters, the economy of the nation cannot grow and prosper on a long-term ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, Market Research, Trends, Publications
An ongoing series exploring cases involving Xpera Group’s team of experts.
Subject: Construction Claim & Contractor Licensure
Attorney: Christopher Frost, Partner, Eisner Jaffe, ...
Topics: Construction Lawyer, Alan Nevin, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, California, Construction Claims, From Our Case Files, Featured Project - CS
John O'Donnell is a civil engineer with over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sector.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Civil Engineering, Testifying Expert, John O'Donnell, Member Spotlight
Quality is the goal of every building project. For builders, ensuring that they got every detail just right is a huge responsibility—not to mention financial liability.
That’s why Quality Assurance is a critical part of our service offerings at Xpera ...
Topics: Production Homebuilder, QA, John Kyrklund, Quality Assurance, Client Spotlight
Our City San Diego Magazine recently hosted a seminar focused on the apartment industry, as the first in a series of real estate seminars for its subscribers and guests.
Topics: Economics, Events, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Apartments, In The News, Market Research, Multifamily
There was much buzz going on in Austin, Texas in late-March as Procore Inc. held its third annual Groundbreak construction conference at the downtown convention center and made its big reveal—Construction OS.
Topics: Construction Management, Events, Construction, Innovation and Technology, Groundbreak
Xpera Group is an annual sponsor of the UCSD Economics Roundtable, which provides a valuable forum for local business professionals and community leaders to exchange ideas and information with worldclass economists and financial experts.
Topics: Economics, Alan Nevin
It has been one year since we lost our friend and colleague, Michael Burgess. He was our trusted “go-to” man for mechanical engineering expertise. He had a real passion and talent for problem-solving ...
Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Construction Forensics, Construction Defect, White Paper, Publications
In 2017, southern San Diego County (often called South County) has started a major "development binge" according to Alan Nevin, Xpera Group's director of Economic and Market Research.
Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, San Diego, In The News, Market Research, California
Our construction management company, Xpera CM, recently provided strategic ...
Topics: CM, CM/Development Services
We are pleased to announce that Tim Ireland has joined the Xpera CM team as ...
Topics: Construction Management, CM, News, Tim Ireland, Member Spotlight
I’m a numbers guy. Analyzing data helps me make sense of the world ...
Topics: Defects Analysis, FS, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, Construction Defect, Publications
Over the last few years, we have seen a surge in apartment construction, ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM/Development Services, Construction Consultant, San Diego, Apartments, California, Condo Conversion, Condominiums, Building Codes and Standards, Law, Publications
This is the beginning of our Three Part ...
Topics: Waterproofing Systems, FS, Ted Bumgardner, Construction Forensics, QA, Balcony, Publications
Xpera CM has managed many high-profile building projects over the last ...
Topics: Waterproofing Systems, CM, CM/Development Services, San Diego, David Pallinger, Custom Homes
What a year! Xpera’s Quality Assurance division achieved a record 4,000 ...
Topics: QA, News, John Kyrklund, InSpec®, Quality Assurance
In the spirit of giving back to our community, this November, the Xpera ...
Building envelope consulting has long been one of our most sought-after ...
Topics: Building Envelope, Architecture / Engineering, Risk Management, News, San Diego, Steve Easton, Kirk O'Brien, AIA
Xpera Group was once again recognized by the Zweig Group, this time with a ...
Topics: Events, BE, CM, FS, RE, QA, News, Press Releases, David Pallinger, Brian Hill
This Fall, we invited Xpera’s entire roster of construction experts to our ...
Topics: Specialty Experts, Events, FS, Alan Nevin, Construction Forensics, News, Testifying Expert, Bruce Beardsley, Ron Whitehead, Xpera Headquarters, Construction Claims, Video, Steve Hill
“Better to be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.” - Aesop
Getting an education in the intricacies of managing a complex custom home construction project can be a very expensive ...
Topics: Standard of Care Claims, Construction Management, *, CM/Development Services, Construction, White Paper, Custom Homes, Publications
Our Director of Economic Research, Alan Nevin has just published his 2017 economic forecast for San Diego and California. As we begin another year, we look ahead at the market forces shaping the county and the golden state such as California housing ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, *, Alan Nevin, San Diego, Market Research, Housing Permits, California, Video, Trends
This Saturday, November 12th, Xpera CM's project, Lofts on Landis was featured in San Diego Green Building Council's 2016 Green Homes Tour as a celebration of sustainability. It is the only multi-family affordable housing development to be on the ...
Topics: Events, CM, News, San Diego, Apartments, Chula Vista, Brian Hill, Affordable Housing, Green Building, Sustainability, SDGBC, Thor Kamban Biberman, LEED, 2016, Featured Project - CM
California has acted as America's spearhead in Greenhouse Gas reduction using a wide range legislative and executive mandates. While both institutions and the building industry create and follow methods to satisfy the mandates, sometimes they get ...
Topics: Real Estate Development, CM, San Diego, BIA, California, Construction Legal Issues, Sustainability, Publications
Something special happens in San Diego in October. More than two dozen organizations, local partners and non-profits come together in a collaboratively-operated initiative to create a fun month-long program called the San Diego Architecture and Design Month. ...
Topics: Architecture, Architecture / Engineering, Events, BE, CM, RE, San Diego, Innovation and Technology, LEED, Trends
We are pleased to announce that Scott Riffenburgh, a recognized leader in the energy management and green building space, has joined the Xpera member network as a sustainability expert.
Topics: BE, CM, RE, QA, News, Green Building, Sustainability, LEED, Scott Riffenburgh, Member Spotlight
Remember when the 2013 building codes went into effect? There was a rush to permit new projects because the new codes were going to increase capital costs for new construction. Home builders complained that their margins were shrinking and they couldn’t compete ...
Topics: Energy Management Systems, BE, CM, RE, QA, Sustainability, Scott Riffenburgh, Publications
Alan Nevin is often asked to speak to various professional organizations about economic matters, particularly those relating to the state of the real estate market. It’s a subject near and dear to his heart, as Xpera’s director of economic and market research.
...Topics: Real Estate Development, Alan Nevin, In The News
Without data you’re just another person with an opinion.
W. Edwards Deming
Introduction
The Great Divide is a book about America and tomorrow. It is a compelling ...
Topics: Economics, Real Estate Development, Market Research
Following several months of retrofitting and renovations, the Xpera team has settled into our beautiful new office building at 10911 Technology Drive in Rancho Bernardo.
We have all heard the expression, “Just the facts, ma’am.” But nowadays, simply presenting the facts in a case is not enough.
Topics: Specialty Experts, Construction Forensics, Construction Consultant, Testifying Expert
Camp Anza is more than just another successful project for our construction management arm, Xpera CM. It’s a victory for veterans. The former military camp has been given new life as a housing community for those who served.
Topics: Construction Management, BE, CM, CM/Development Services, RE, News, Press Releases, Featured Project - CM
When the new 317-room Pendry Hotel opens in downtown San Diego this fall, its owner, The Robert Green Company, can be confident that its building envelope system is ready for the elements.
Topics: Building Envelope, *, BE, San Diego, Featured Project - BE
