Practice Area

Construction Defect Expert

Identifying defects, tracing their cause, and quantifying the cost to correct work that fails to meet the contract, the plans, or the code — for commercial and residential projects across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

What an engagement covers

A structured path from complaint to opinion

Defect matters turn on the difference between what was promised, what the code requires, and what was actually built. The analysis follows a consistent path so the opinion is defensible and clear.

  • A written opinion linking the defect to its probable cause
  • Building-code and standard-of-care analysis to support it
  • Cost-to-correct estimates in a form the court can follow
A construction site with structural and finish work in progress
1

Review the governing documents

The contract, plans, and specifications that define how the work was required to be done.

2

Interpret the building codes

The applicable codes and standards the work is required to meet.

3

Inspect the work

A field visit to observe the condition of the work and the subject area.

4

Identify cause and extent

An opinion on the probable cause and the scope of the deficiency.

5

Quantify the correction

Cost estimates for the work needed to correct the identified defect.

Common matters

Defect Categories We Address

From single-family homes to commercial buildings.

Water Intrusion

Roofing, envelope, flashing, and drainage failures that let water into a structure.

Structural & Foundation

Issues with foundations, load-bearing elements, and structural integrity.

Envelope & Weather-Tightness

Walls, windows, and exterior systems that fail to keep weather out.

Finishes & MEP

Deficient finishes, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

Code Compliance

Whether the completed work conforms to applicable building codes.

Cost to Correct

Estimating the cost of the work required to bring the project into conformance.

Construction Defect FAQs

Work that fails to conform to the contract, the plans and specifications, or applicable building codes — such as water intrusion, structural or foundation issues, envelope failures, and deficient finishes or MEP work.

I review the governing documents, interpret the applicable building codes, inspect the work, then identify the probable cause and extent of the deficiency and, where appropriate, the cost to correct it.

Yes. I prepare cost estimates for completed work and for the work needed to correct the identified deficiencies, grounded in the project record and field conditions.

Yes. Interpreting applicable building codes and assessing whether the work conforms to them is a core part of defect and code-compliance matters.

Hassan Consulting Group

Concerned about a construction defect?

Send a brief description of the project and the concern. We'll review the record and advise on next steps.

Request a Consultation

Or call (703) 898-0204 — Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.