Certified Damage Consultants for Commercial Property Claims

Independent Property Damage Assessment, Documentation & Claim Support

When a commercial property is damaged, understanding the full scope of the loss is critical.

Building Damage Consultants provides professional property damage consulting and damage assessment services for commercial property owners, property managers, businesses, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals involved in complex property losses.

As Certified Damage Consultants, we specialize in investigating and documenting commercial property damage, develop detailed scopes of work, analyze estimates, identify areas of damage that may not be immediately apparent, and provide the technical documentation needed to support a property insurance claim.

What Is a Certified Damage Consultant?

A Certified Damage Consultant is a professional who evaluates and documents the physical condition and damage to a property following a loss.

Our job is to help answer an important question:

What was damaged, what will it take to repair or replace it, and what documentation supports the scope of the loss?

A property damage assessment may involve much more than identifying what can be seen during a quick inspection.

Commercial properties can contain multiple structures, roofing systems, mechanical systems, specialized equipment, building finishes, contents, and business operations that may all be affected by a loss.

Our consultants examine the property, document the damage, develop the scope of work, and organize the information necessary to understand the loss.

What Does a Certified Damage Consultant Do?

Our work can begin immediately after a property loss or later when questions arise about an existing insurance claim.

Depending on the circumstances, our services may include:

 

Property Damage Inspection

We conduct detailed inspections of the affected property to identify and document damage.

Our inspections may include:

  • Building exteriors
  • Roofing systems
  • Interior finishes
  • Ceilings and walls
  • Flooring
  • Mechanical systems
  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC systems
  • Equipment
  • Business personal property
  • Contents
  • Other affected components of the property

The objective is to develop a clear understanding of the property's condition and the extent of the loss.

Damage Documentation

 

Thorough documentation creates a record of the property and the damage following a loss.

Documentation may include:

  • Photographs
  • Video
  • Measurements
  • Room-by-room documentation
  • Roof documentation
  • Site documentation
  • Damage inventories
  • Repair scopes
  • Supporting reports
  • Estimates and other claim records

For larger commercial properties, organized documentation becomes especially important because a loss can involve numerous rooms, systems, structures, and categories of property.

Scope of Damage

A property insurance estimate is only as good as the scope behind it.

We analyze the property to determine what work may be required to restore the damaged areas. This can include identifying materials, quantities, labor, equipment, access requirements, demolition, removal, replacement, and other components of the repair process.

Building Damage Consultants are built for better commercial claim outcomes

Estimate Review & Analysis

If an insurance company or contractor has already prepared an estimate, we can review it against the documented condition of the property.

Our review can identify potential differences involving:

  • Missing damage
  • Incomplete quantities
  • Missing trades
  • Incorrect measurements
  • Incomplete repair scopes
  • Items that may require additional documentation
  • Differences between the documented condition and the proposed repairs

The purpose is not simply to create a larger estimate. It is to determine whether the estimate accurately reflects the documented scope of work.

Advanced Damage Assessment

Some damage cannot be adequately evaluated through a visual inspection alone.

When appropriate, specialized inspection methods and technology can help identify conditions that may otherwise be difficult to observe.

Depending on the loss, this may include:

  • Thermal imaging
  • Moisture detection
  • Aerial or drone documentation
  • Detailed roof inspections
  • Digital photography
  • Measurement and mapping technology
  • Other specialized documentation methods

The appropriate inspection method depends on the property and the nature of the loss.

Commercial Property Damage Consulting

Commercial property losses are often more complicated than residential losses.

A commercial claim may involve a building, multiple structures, equipment, inventory, tenant spaces, specialized systems, and the financial consequences of interrupted operations.

That's why commercial property damage assessment requires a systematic approach.

We work with property owners and decision-makers to document losses involving:

  • Office buildings
  • Retail properties
  • Apartment and multifamily properties
  • Hotels and hospitality properties
  • Restaurants
  • Churches and nonprofit facilities
  • Industrial properties
  • Warehouses
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Commercial complexes
  • Other large or complex properties

Our focus is on understanding the entire property loss, not simply the most obvious visible damage.

Types of Property Damage We Assess

Our consultants can assist with a wide range of property losses, including:

Storm Damage

Wind, hail, severe weather, and other storm-related property damage.

Roof Damage

Commercial roofing damage, including damage that may require detailed inspection and documentation.

Water Damage

Water intrusion, plumbing losses, leaks, and resulting building damage.

Fire & Smoke Damage

Building, contents, equipment, and other property affected by fire and smoke.

Large Property Losses

Complex losses involving substantial damage, multiple structures, or numerous categories of property.

Commercial Property Damage

Damage affecting businesses, commercial buildings, facilities, and income-producing properties.

When Should You Hire a Property Damage Consultant?

Consider bringing in a Certified Damage Consultant when:

  • Your commercial property has experienced significant damage.
  • The extent of the damage is unclear.
  • You need an independent assessment of the property.
  • You want comprehensive documentation of the damage.
  • You have concerns about an insurance estimate.
  • You believe portions of the damage may have been overlooked.
  • Multiple buildings or systems are involved.
  • You need a detailed scope of work.
  • Your claim involves a large or complicated loss.
  • You are preparing for an insurance appraisal.
  • An attorney, property owner, or other professional needs an independent damage assessment.

You do not necessarily have to wait until there is a disagreement with the insurance company.

Early documentation can provide a stronger record of the property's condition and the scope of the loss.

Our Approach to Property Damage Consulting

At Building Damage Consultants, we believe a good property damage assessment begins with facts, documentation, and attention to detail.

Understand the Loss

We learn what happened, when it happened, what property was affected, and what questions need to be answered.

Inspect the Property

We conduct an appropriate inspection of the affected areas and systems.

Document the Damage

We create detailed photographic, video, measurement, and written documentation.

Develop the Scope

We identify the work necessary to repair or replace the damaged property.

Estimate the Loss

Where appropriate, we develop or analyze detailed repair estimates using industry-standard estimating practices.

Support the Claim Process

We provide the documentation and technical information necessary to support the claim and help the policyholder understand the loss.

Why Building Damage Consultants?

Building Damage Consultants combines property damage expertise, estimating experience, public adjusting, appraisal, and claim consulting.

Our professionals include licensed public adjusters, certified damage consultants, registered property loss/damage appraisers, and umpires.

We have experience with complex property losses and understand that a commercial property claim can affect much more than the building itself.

It can affect:

Your property.
Your operations.
Your employees.
Your tenants.
Your customers.
Your revenue.

That's why we look beyond the obvious damage.

Your Property Damage Is More Than a Number

A property damage estimate is important, but the estimate is only one part of understanding a loss.

The quality of the underlying inspection, documentation, scope, measurements, and supporting evidence can influence how clearly the loss is understood.

Our role as Certified Damage Consultants is to provide an independent, detailed assessment of the physical damage and the work required to address it.

When appropriate, that assessment can become an important part of a larger property insurance claim.

Need an Independent Assessment of Your Property Damage?

If your commercial property has been damaged, Building Damage Consultants can help you understand the scope of the loss and determine what documentation may be needed.

We specialize in commercial property claims and complex property damage assessments.

Request a Claim Review

833-61-CLAIM (833-612-5246)
info@bdc.claims