Shepherd Consulting Services

Shepherd Consulting Services has a long history of assisting the insurance industry in the inspection and analysis of damages caused by wind, fire, hail, earthquakes, snow and ice on commercial and residential buildings.   We specialize in handling the typical to the very complex property damage claims.  If you have a very complex property damage claim, John Shepherd is the consultant you need.  With his years of experience, expert knowledge of the industry standards and analytical skills he has become well-known in the industry as the go-to consultant for complex claims.

Consulting services provided (depending on the project claim):

• Visual Interior Inspection: We conduct an inspection of the interior of the building and identify the location of any visible interior water damage.

• Visual Exterior Inspection: We conduct a thorough visual inspection and evaluation of the existing exterior walls, roofing, and/or waterproofing components that are suspected of being damaged and/or allowing water to enter into the building.

• Below-Grade Inspections: We have extensive experience in identifying the cause and origin of below-grade leakes in basements and subterranean parking structures. This type of inspection may include excavation of the exterior below-grade walls.

• Condensation Analysis: If the property damage claim includes water damage that has no likely exterior source of water entry into the building, we will conduct an analysis of the buildings attic and/or crawlspace ventilation, and the buildings roof system to determine if condensation is the cause of the observed damage.

• Leak Investigation: While not all claims have water damage to the interior of the building, where such damage does occur we will conduct a visual leak investigation to determine the most likely source/cause of the water damage.  Such investigations may include the use of an infrared camera and/or one or more types of moisture meters.

• Written Report: We prepare a written report that includes our findings, analysis, conclusions and repair recommendations.  Such a report will identify the cause of the loss, the cause of the damage observed, including whether the condition(s) observed were the result of a sudden and/or accidental failure,  a construction installation defect, negligence (such as a lack of maintenance), or from normal wear and aging of a building envelope component.

• Repair/Replacement Cost Estimates: John Shepherd is a licensed roofing contractor in both California and Arizona.  When damage to roofing, waterproofing and decks are determined to have been caused by a covered loss, we will provide a written cost estimate and scope of repair for any work needed to correct the damage conditions, provided such is requested by the client.

• Invasive Testing and Water Testing: Occasionally a property damage claim may require water testing and/or invasive testing of a building envelope component to identify the cause of damage and whether the cause is related to a covered loss.  Such testing is more common with earthquake and fire damage claims, though this testing may also be needed in some wind damage claims, especially those resulting from hurricanes or tornados.

• Documentation:  The findings of each inspection are documented via digital photographs and on floor and roof plans, and occasionally elevations (I didn’t quite understand what that last part meant).

• Research: We conduct research as needed for the specific claim.  Depending on the needs of the claim, research may include:

• Obtaining weather history for a given time period to document rainfall, wind speeds and/or the location of a specific hail zone.

• Obtaining building permit history to determine the exact age of a roof or when modifications (such as new windows or an HVAC unit) have been made to the building.

• Obtaining historical satellite or fixed-wing photographs (via Pictometry) to evaluate specific conditions on a roof several years prior to a loss date.

• Talking to contractors who have made modifications to the building within a specific time period prior to the date of loss.

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