Construction Science Forensics | Building Envelope Forensics, Cause & Origin, Scope & Repair Cost

Nate MacIntyre of Construction Science Forensics taking a moisture reading on a stucco wall from scaffolding above a Pacific Northwest lake. Headline: We find why buildings fail. Building envelope forensics, cause and origin, defensible scope and repair cost.

Independent building-science investigation for owners, insurers, attorneys and HOAs. Science-backed findings you can put in front of an adjuster, a board, or a jury.

Request an investigation Read the technical papers

What we do

Four pillars of property loss forensics.

Every engagement answers the same four questions, in order: what is damaged, why it failed, exactly what it takes to fix it, and what that costs. Each answer is documented so it holds up under scrutiny.

Property loss assessment

Objective damage documentation for owners, insurers and counsel. Moisture mapping, thermal imaging, invasive testing and photo-indexed field records.

Cause & origin

Science-backed root-cause investigation. We separate the failure mechanism from its symptoms and trace it to the design, material, workmanship or maintenance decision that produced it.

Scope of work

Specification-ready repair documentation. Elevation-keyed, detail-referenced scope that a contractor can bid and an insurer can approve without interpretation.

Cost of repair

Defensible, itemized restoration budgets built from the scope, current unit pricing and explicit assumptions — so every line can be traced and defended.

Services

From the first site visit to the witness stand.

CSF works across the full life of a building problem — evaluation, investigation, repair documentation, cost, and testimony — so nothing gets lost in a hand-off.

Building inspection & evaluationCladding, roofing, windows, decks, waterproofing
Cause & origin investigationWater intrusion, envelope and structural failures
Property loss assessmentDocumentation for insurance claims
Scope documents for restorationBid-ready repair specifications
Cost estimatingItemized, defensible repair budgets
Construction litigation supportExpert reports, deposition and trial testimony
Deviation analysisAs-built versus plans, codes and manufacturer requirements
Moment capture analysis (MCA)Time-stamped forensic imaging of a condition
Property condition assessmentDue-diligence and asset condition reports
Pre-purchase inspectionsResidential and multifamily
QA/QC construction managementThird-party envelope observation during construction
Construction cost managementBudget control through repair and rebuild
UAV / drone servicesFAA-licensed aerial documentation and 3D modeling

About

Led by Nate MacIntyre.

Principal consultant and head of CSF's building science division.

Nate has spent his career on both sides of the building envelope — building it, and figuring out why it failed. Before founding CSF he held roles at MC Consultants, Forensic Building Consultants and Trammell Crow Residential, and he has taught envelope detailing and construction-defect risk to architects, contractors, insurers and attorneys at venues including the NAHB International Builders' Show, RIMS and AGC.

The CSF team brings more than 50 years of combined experience. Most of our work comes from referrals from attorneys, adjusters and past clients — the strongest measure we have of the work holding up.

Nate MacIntyre on LinkedIn

Credentials

Role: Principal Consultant, Construction Science Forensics
Licensing: Oregon CCB licensed contractor
UAS: FAA remote pilot certificate 4113677
Safety: OSHA construction safety & health certification
Speaking: NAHB IBS, RIMS Western Regional, AGC, Cincinnati Insurance Construction Defect Seminar, MC Consultants West Region
Testimony: Expert reports, deposition and trial support in construction defect matters

They have tremendous experience, they are knowledgeable, good advocates for their clients, and very professional.
Lowell McKelvey, McKelvey Kozuma Burke PC

CSF has provided me with critical testing, analysis and reports on a timely basis consistently for years. I would recommend CSF to any professional or private client without reservation.
Stephen N.

Smart, nice, professional people. I've used them for years, they are excellent consultants, particularly in construction defect litigation support.
Rob Wilkinson, Ball Janik

Contact

Tell us what the building is doing.

A short description and a few photos are enough to start. We'll tell you what an investigation would involve and what it would cost before anyone books a site visit.

Phone: (503) 313-5961
Nate: [email protected]
General: [email protected]
Office: 10940 SW Barnes Rd., #210
Portland, OR 97225
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm Pacific

Service area

OregonWashingtonAlaskaHawaiiTexasFlorida

Client reviews

What it's like to work with CSF.

“Nate diagnosed an issue that had gone unresolved in my home for over a year, with real clarity and confidence. The report was thorough, well-organized and easy to understand.”
Debbie Burnett

“They inspected the windows, siding, roof and attic spaces thoroughly and explained every finding in a way that was easy to understand. Highly recommend.”
Karin Schaffer

“Nate explained what he was seeing and the science behind it, and gave me clear next steps. Kind and easy to work with.”
Sarah Radka

“CSF called out hidden defects and poor construction practices that could have cost us thousands if left unaddressed. Every homeowner should consult them.”
bareaneye

“Having Nate as a second measure during our remodel opened our eyes to cost-effective ways to reduce water damage risk. Avoided a lot of future headaches.”
Kris DeSylvia

“Very responsive and easy to talk to, clearly knowledgeable in all things construction, and quickly helped us resolve our issue. Ten out of ten.”
Suzanna Wootton

“Highly responsive, knowledgeable and detailed — a top-notch experience easing the pain of navigating complex building challenges and construction defects.”
Chris M.

“Knowledgeable and professional, also kind and patient — answered all of my questions in ways I could easily understand.”
E B

“CSF has provided critical testing, analysis and reports on a timely basis, consistently, for years. I'd recommend them without reservation.”
Stephen Nieman

“Thorough, explained the whole process, and after an hour-long drive home still had a 10-page detailed report to us by 9pm. Absolutely excellent.”
Mountain Home Construction

“A very thorough job. Professional, and answered all of our questions as needed. Great job!”
Jimmy

“We needed a building science expert to inspect the envelope of our rental. Nate was able to explain what was happening and why.”
Zach Hillegas

“Amazing company! Can't say enough good things about how they've helped us.”
Mary Toops

Four pillars of property loss forensics.

Property loss assessment

Cause & origin

Scope of work

Cost of repair

From the first site visit to the witness stand.

Led by Nate MacIntyre.

Credentials

Tell us what the building is doing.

Request an investigation

Every paper, one shelf.

What it's like to work with CSF.

Backed by specialists across every discipline.

We find why buildings fail. Building envelope forensics — cause and origin, defensible scope and repair cost.

Four pillars of property loss forensics.

Property loss assessment

Cause & origin

Scope of work

Cost of repair

From the first site visit to the witness stand.

Led by Nate MacIntyre.

Credentials

Tell us what the building is doing.

Request an investigation

Every paper, one shelf.

What it's like to work with CSF.

Backed by specialists across every discipline.