55+ Years of Architectural Expertise
Schedule a Consultation

Forensic Architect Expert

David Erik Chase, AIA, NCARB

Voice of an Architect

11/07/2024 Florida Apartments – Conversion to Condo Owner
11/07/2024 Contemporary Architect’s Standard of Reasonable Care
11/07/2024 Construction Project Negligent Claims: Three Guiding Principles for Forming an Expert’s Opinion
01/18/2025 Contractor Responsibilities..... Pre-Shovels in the Ground
03/10/2025 How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Owner/Architect Contracts
03/28/2025 Importance of Clear Architect's Specifications in Design and Construction Phases
04/05/2025 Latent Defects and When Do They Become Legal Issues?
05/07/2025 Understanding the Role of Warranties in Post-Construction Disputes
02/19/2026 “DESIGN ARCHITECT vs. ARCHITECT of  RECORD”… Why?

cLICK HERE FOR THE LINKS
David Chase
DAVID ERIK CHASE AIA

Construction Defects - Architect Standard of Care*


Design professionals and constructors owe a duty and standard of care to any Claimant.

So… did they perform this duty consistently delivering services defined by not only time and place,
but also, as required in their mutual contractual promises.

A breach is when Parties fail to exercise a reasonable level of duty and standard of care defined by contracted
obligations, code compliance, and/or published building standards to protect the public’s Health, Safety, and Welfare.

Determining causation of a designed or constructed defect, deficiency, or omission
will identify any or all Parties' negligent actions…...... and the benchmark consideration for damages.

 *David Erik Chase, AIA, is not an attorney and does not offer legal advice. The concepts opined throughout this website are his own.

1

DUTY / STANDARD OF CARE OF CARE

A systematic investigative process to discover possible construction defects and if there was a general duty of care existing to Plaintiffs and/or Defendants? Was there a more defined and higher degree of code-compliant services required, in the contract provider's agreements? Were the promised scopes of services general or detailed? Were the deliverables and schedules clear and reasonable? Did the design professionals and constructors commit qualified and experienced personnel throughout the project, to execute the specific project type and apply the QA/QC necessary resources?

2

BREACH OF DUTY / STANDARD OF CARE

A detailed and comparative analysis to be undertaken regarding construction defects, accessing the obligations owed to any Party, and breached by another Party. Undertaking a 360-degree document review process, including the design and construction phases, will help determine whether the duty was carried out reasonably or negligently. By testing the design intent against actual construction documents and construction phases, the alleged building components and system defects will reveal facts, to assist in determining if any specific Party actions fall short of a standard and duty of care ....and therefore negligent Party actions.

3

DAMAGES -CONTRIBUTION OR CAUSATION

Typical to any Complaint action, regarding construction defects, the discovery may be ongoing. So, it is probable that after the Duty of Care and Breach of Duty steps, a preliminary opinion will evolve based on facts at that time. Suspicion of negligent causation and responsible Parties may result in a Preliminary Report. This would be derived from due diligence findings that construction defects were code non-compliant, patent, and/or latent, and were more likely than not, a failure of design errors, omissions, and/or… material defects by constructors with code-non-compliance, workmanship defects, improper safety standards, etc...

55+

Years of Architect Expertise

20+

Years as a Forensic Architect

140+

Expert Witness, Arbitrator & Complex Construction Cases

21

Licensed in 21 States & District of Columbia

"Forensic Architect
Case Experience & Expertise"

CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS - ARCHITECT STANDARD OF CARE

  • ADA Accessibility Compliance

  • Architect’s Liability

  • Architectural Agreements

  • Architect’s Standard of Reasonable Care

  • Betterment

  • BOMA

  • Building Code Minimums

  • Building Envelope Water Leakage & Intrusion 

  • Building Mold

  • Breach of Contract

  • Change Directives & Orders

  • Circular Stair Deficiencies

  • Component & System Failures

  • Complex Construction claims

  • Construction Defects, Deficiencies & Omissions

  • Copyright Infringement

  • Design Consultant Errors & Deficiencies

  • Entitlements

  • Floor Systems

  • Florida 718 Statutes for Condominiums

  • Negligence

  • Requests for Information

  • Standard of Care

  • Sound Transmission Issues

  • Wrongful Death

Maintains Architectural Licenses

21 States + District of Columbia

Forensic Architect Expert David Erik Chase, AIA has the knowledge, credentials, resources, and experience to understand your specific circumstances regarding construction defects in over 21 US states. By pursuing a forensic construction expert, your chances of a successful outcome are insurmountably greater.

Speak With David (561) 558-3517
Updated Map of locations

Focused Analytical Forensic Expert- Architect Witness Services

Call Today (561) 558-3517
Testimonials
Google Reviews

David Erik Chase stands out as a premier choice in the realm of forensic architecture for construction defects, due to his extensive experience and steadfast commitment to excellence.

With licensures in over 20 states and a career spanning decades, David offers unparalleled expertise that is crucial in comprehensive investigations and resolution of complex construction disputes. His approach integrates meticulous attention to detail with a profound understanding of both architectural principles and legal standards. Clients can trust that each case is handled with the utmost diligence, ensuring that potential liabilities are meticulously evaluated and responsibly addressed.

Choosing David as your forensic architecture expert allows unique, dedicated services not found through conventional networks. Operating independently, David underscores his commitment to providing unbiased, thorough analyses tailored specifically to his client's needs.

His comprehensive document review process guarantees that every aspect of a project, from initial design intents to final construction outcomes, is assessed against industry standards and regulatory codes. By aligning with David, you are assured of receiving insights backed by decades of firsthand architectural involvement, aimed at resolving disputes and safeguarding interests effectively.