Inspections

Building Pathology Inspection

Building pathology is the study of building defects and their remediation—much as medical pathology studies disease and its treatment. We think of it as a holistic approach to building science and its deficiencies, and it forms the foundation of our inspection services.

As a construction expert, Först Consulting Group understands in detail how structures are assembled from start to finish, and how they are used, maintained, and occupied.

Buildings can suffer from many issues, including patent defects—which an inspection can reveal—and latent defects, which are often not apparent to the eye.

Diagnose Problem Areas

A thorough Först Consulting Group building pathology inspection seeks out both patent and latent defects through a range of testing methods. We look for materials affected by environmental conditions and examine the mechanics of the systems within the building, factoring in the risk of future failure.

Our in-depth knowledge of building codes and construction practices—combined with eight ICC inspector certifications and advanced inspection technology—lets us diagnose problem areas accurately.

Building Pathology Inspection Includes:

Common pathologies behind defects include design deficiencies, specification errors, material deficiencies, workmanship errors, environmental and external factors, maintenance and repair shortfalls, deterioration, and improper use.

Issues we inspect for include, but are not limited to: building cracks, dampness or water intrusion, corrosion or mold, thermal efficiency, suspected construction or code-compliance errors, occupant well-being, and noise problems.

Building pathology inspection supports: pre-sale inspection, liability and risk assessment, symptom analysis, code compliance, workmanship review, forensic evidence, and expert witness testimony.

Construction Defect Inspection

If you think you’ve spotted a construction error, address it quickly—before it gets sealed inside a wall or grows into something far more serious. Early detection and remediation is the key to a sound, healthy building.

Only a construction expert like Först Consulting Group can identify and confirm defects both inside and outside your home or building. With specialized training and advanced equipment, we know how to detect and verify defects that stem from contractor error, design flaws, or material failure.

Identify Construction Defects

Unfortunately, some contractors and subcontractors—whether through intent or inexperience—cause defects. Some cover up an error to save cost, hide a mistake, or hit a deadline; others simply lack the knowledge to recognize that their work falls short. And sometimes it’s the equipment or materials that fail.

Once a defect is suspected, the burden falls on you to prove an error occurred. A contractor may insist the work was done correctly, which can lead to a dispute—and potentially a legal claim if it can’t be resolved.

Evidence to Resolve Disputes

A construction defect inspection provides the evidence needed to resolve a dispute with your contractor, or to help you and a construction attorney build a case that will hold up in court.

At Först Consulting Group, we place a high priority on staying current with new building practices and products. We attend seminars, complete ongoing coursework, and review hundreds of manufacturer specifications—because knowing exactly what to look for is what separates a real finding from a guess.

Pre-Drywall Inspection

Inspect Behind the Walls

Many construction shortcuts and errors happen behind the walls, which is why a pre-drywall inspection is so valuable—it’s the last time everything inside those walls will be visible before it’s sealed up and out of sight.

During the inspection, Först Consulting Group examines framing along with electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, checking placement, code compliance, construction quality, and energy efficiency. We also inspect against manufacturer installation requirements, which—given today’s technology—can be surprisingly complex. Improper installation can lead to system failure or a voided manufacturer’s warranty.

Items inspected include, but are not limited to:

  • Framing; trusses, studs and joints
  • Electrical systems; wiring
  • Heating and cooling systems; ductwork
  • Plumbing systems; piping; sprinkler systems
  • Insulation
  • Code compliance
  • Installation requirements
  • Foundation attachments

Private Pre-Sale Home Inspection

When you sell your home, the buyer will hire a home inspector to review it in detail—with the goal of finding issues they can use to renegotiate the price in their favor.

If you’re considering listing, a pre-sale inspection helps you identify the issues that would otherwise become the buyer’s negotiating leverage. Knowing about a problem in advance lets you fix it on your own schedule and budget, and removes objections before they’re ever raised.

In-Depth Pre-Sale Inspection

Rather than waiting to see what the buyer’s inspector turns up, engage Först Consulting Group for a private, in-depth pre-sale inspection—especially valuable if you’ve completed your own improvements over the years.

Först will:

  • Check for code compliance
  • Examine for construction issues
  • Inspect HVAC and electrical systems, kitchen areas and fireplaces
  • Search for items that could affect the sale of your home

Construction Expertise

Först Consulting Group is not your typical residential home inspector. We’re construction experts who ran our own construction company for many years before becoming consultants—so we read a building differently.

We perform a site walk-through that can take from an hour to several hours for a single room, and from several hours to several days for a whole house, depending on size, to surface any and every potential issue.

Complete Reports Provided

After the inspection, you receive a highly detailed report of our findings—what we found, along with recommended methods, estimated costs, and materials lists for remediating each issue. With that in hand, the negotiating power sits squarely in your corner.

Stucco Inspection

Water trapped invisibly behind stucco can create a host of problems, quietly eating away at a structure from the inside out. Left alone, it leads to expensive repairs and unhealthy mold, both inside and out.

A typical inspection checks stucco visually for obvious defects. A Först Consulting Group stucco inspection goes further—performing more thorough, targeted testing specifically for moisture intrusion. That matters most in climates where humidity runs high.

Potential Issues

Reliability and durability depend heavily on how the stucco was installed. Each layer has to be applied correctly. When it isn’t, the problem may stay hidden for years before symptoms surface. Water can permeate failing stucco or become trapped between layers with no way to escape or “breathe”—and nowhere to go but into interior walls, framing, and finishes.

Stucco problems stemming from installation errors or water intrusion can include:

  • Cracks
  • Buckles, blistering and peeling
  • Mold
  • Contaminant stains
  • Weeping stains beneath window exteriors

Inspection and Report

Först Consulting Group inspects stucco for correct installation, flashing, ventilation, and drainage, along with the seals around doors and windows—using infrared thermal imaging and digital probe moisture meters to see what a visual check alone would miss.

Afterward, we provide a complete written report on your stucco’s performance, malfunctions, moisture intrusion, energy losses, and any structural damage, with detailed photos documenting every problem area.

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