Forensic Investigation &
Expert Witness Services
When construction goes wrong, you need an independent expert who can determine what happened, why, and what it will cost to fix. KSW provides the technical authority that homeowners, attorneys, and courts rely on.
01. Building Defect Analysis
Building Defect Analysis
Construction defects require systematic investigation to identify root causes, responsible parties, and accurate repair costs. KSW conducts thorough forensic investigations of building failures, from water intrusion and structural concerns to code violations and workmanship deficiencies. KSW’s investigative scope includes window and roof water intrusion testing, post-construction defect identification, and documentation with professional-grade photography, testing data, and written analysis that translates complex technical issues into clear, defensible conclusions.
02. Home Inspection
Home Inspection & Condition Reports
KSW provides comprehensive building condition assessments for three primary situations: properties being prepared for sale, properties under consideration for purchase, and commercial spaces being evaluated for new tenant occupancy. Our reports go beyond standard home inspections, covering structural systems, building envelope performance, mechanical systems, environmental control inspections, and code compliance with the technical depth that only a Licensed Architect and experienced construction manager can provide.
03. Expert Witness Testimony
Expert Witness Testimony
As a licensed architect with 39 years of direct construction field experience across residential and commercial projects, Steve Kiss provides authoritative expert witness services recognized in California and Hawaii courts. We support depositions, mediations, arbitrations, and trial testimony with rigorous technical analysis. Our work includes damages assessment and quantification, contractor negligence evaluation, payment forensics and fee reasonableness analysis, schedule delay quantification, and detailed cost-to-cure estimates.
04. Areas of Expertise
Areas of Expertise
Our forensic expertise spans the full range of construction disputes and building failures: water intrusion and moisture damage investigation, residential and commercial construction defects, contractor negligence and workmanship evaluation, cost overruns and billing dispute analysis, HOA claims and common area assessments, code violations and regulatory compliance, and budget and schedule forensics. KSW also provides forensic construction management, reviewing contractor payments and billing post-construction to identify irregularities, overcharges, and improper payments that may support legal claims.
Whether the issue involves structural concerns, envelope failures, mechanical systems, or project management problems, we bring deep technical knowledge and litigation experience to clarify complex construction issues.
05. For Attorneys & Legal Professionals
For Attorneys & Legal Professionals
Attorneys and legal professionals rely on KSW for independent technical review and expert reports that withstand scrutiny. KSW provides damages assessments developed in conjunction with legal counsel, completed project independent review and reporting, site inspections with professional-grade photo documentation, and written analysis that translates complex construction issues into clear, defensible conclusions. Our reports serve as the authoritative technical foundation counsel needs to evaluate claims, support settlement decisions, and build persuasive litigation strategies.
06. Southern California & Hawaii
Southern California & Hawaii
KSW provides forensic investigation and expert witness services throughout San Diego County, Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and Southern California. We also serve clients and legal professionals throughout Hawaii. For projects outside these regions, we can discuss potential engagement on a case-by-case basis.
07. Remediation Coordination
Remediation Coordination
Once defects are identified, the real work begins. KSW manages the full remediation process from contractor selection through final repair verification, coordinating repairs for three common situations: sale preparation, new purchase readiness, and new tenant occupancy. KSW develops repair scopes, solicits qualified contractors, oversees corrective work with digital photo documentation, and ensures the work is completed to professional standards and properly documented for insurance, legal, or resale purposes. Also see our pre-construction planning services for prevention-focused approaches.
Client Testimonial
“Steve has assisted me successfully on multiple matters involving troubled construction projects and disputes with general contractors.”
Scott R. Omohundro, Partner at Procopio
Construction litigation counsel · San Diego, California
Ready to Move Forward?
Whether you need a forensic investigation, condition report, or expert witness for litigation, we're ready to provide the independent technical analysis your situation requires.
Or call 619.972.3615