Building Forensics, Product Evaluation & Expert Consulting
Dan Rapp Forensic LLC
36+ years Construction | 16+ years Forensic Consulting | Plaintiff & Defense | Deposition, Arbitration and Trial Testimony
Areas of Practice
Product & Material Investigations
Evaluation of building products and materials involving performance, deterioration, installation, operating conditions, and failure mechanisms.
Services may include field investigation, destructive examination, material sampling, laboratory testing, review of manufacturer requirements, development of testing methods, and analysis of whether observed conditions relate to material performance, installation, system operation, or other contributing factors.
Construction Defects
Investigation of residential, multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use construction involving building envelopes, roofing, waterproofing, exterior cladding, windows and doors, decks and balconies, concrete, plumbing systems, workmanship, and construction sequencing.
Investigations may include comparison of plans and specifications with as-built conditions, review of applicable codes and standards, analysis of manufacturer installation requirements, and evaluation of construction performance.
Premises & Construction-Condition Investigations
Evaluation of physical conditions associated with alleged injury events, including sidewalks, walkways, stairs, ramps, parking lots, changes in elevation, lighting, handrails, guardrails, accessibility conditions, and construction-site conditions.
Investigative methods may include field measurement, photography, LiDAR scanning, three-dimensional modeling, review of applicable codes and standards, and documentation of the physical environment.
Construction Cost & Insurance Claim Review
Review of construction repair scopes, contractor estimates, insurance claim estimates, Xactimate pricing, quantities, reconstruction costs, invoices, change orders, betterment, and code-upgrade costs.
The objective is to evaluate whether the proposed scope and associated construction costs are supported by the observed conditions and the work reasonably required.
Technical Investigation & Testing
A distinguishing aspect of Dan Rapp Forensic LLC is the ability to combine traditional building investigation with hands-on testing and technical development.
Mr. Rapp has experience developing testing protocols, coordinating laboratory analysis, preparing representative material samples, designing testing fixtures, creating three-dimensional models, and presenting technical information visually. His forensic work has included collaboration with mechanical, civil, and structural engineers, specialty consultants, materials specialists, laboratories, contractors, and manufacturers.
Experience That Began in the Field
Before focusing on forensic consulting, Mr. Rapp worked extensively in construction and general contracting. His responsibilities included reading plans and specifications, interpreting building codes and manufacturer requirements, estimating, purchasing, sequencing, subcontractor coordination, quality assurance, inspections, punch-list work, warranty work, and diagnostic investigation.
That field background remains central to his forensic work today.
It allows construction-related questions to be evaluated not only from the standpoint of written requirements, but also with an understanding of how buildings are actually assembled, sequenced, operated, repaired, and maintained.
Expert Consulting & Litigation Support
Dan Rapp Forensic LLC provides consulting and expert services in both litigated and non-litigated matters.
Services may include:
- Initial case review
- Document and construction-record analysis
- Site investigation
- Destructive testing
- Evidence documentation
- Material sampling
- Testing protocol development
- Laboratory coordination
- Technical analysis
- Three-dimensional modeling
- Demonstrative exhibits
- Expert reports
- Deposition testimony
- Arbitration
- Trial testimony
Mr. Rapp has provided services for both plaintiffs and defendants and has testified in deposition, arbitration, state court, and federal court matters.Investigations may include comparison of plans and specifications with as-built conditions, review of applicable codes and standards, analysis of manufacturer installation requirements, and evaluation of construction performance.
Investigation Methods
Depending upon the matter, the investigative process may include:
- Document review
- Site inspection
- Photography
- Field measurements
- LiDAR scanning
- Destructive investigation
- Material sampling
- Moisture investigation
- Laboratory testing
- Three-dimensional modeling
- Code and standards research
- Manufacturer literature review
- Technical analysis
The scope is developed around the questions presented and the physical evidence available.That field background remains central to his forensic work today.
It allows construction-related questions to be evaluated not only from the standpoint of written requirements, but also with an understanding of how buildings are actually assembled, sequenced, operated, repaired, and maintained.
Clear Technical Communication
Construction disputes frequently involve complex assemblies and interactions that are difficult to describe with words alone.
Mr. Rapp's forensic work includes the use of photographs, diagrams, three-dimensional models, mockups, and visual graphics to explain construction conditions and technical concepts in understandable terms.
This approach can assist attorneys, insurers, property owners, judges, jurors, and other non-technical participants in understanding how a building was constructed, how a condition developed, and why the condition may be significant.