Services : Amento

Services

Building Investigations & Forensics

Building Investigations & Forensics

Leveraging the latest tools in science and technology to assess, identify, and determine source problems, and establish events leading to the failure of various types of building components.

Property Condition Assessment
We engage in comprehensive visual review and assessment of your property to evaluate the health and performance of its buildings, and identify any maintenance or repair needs.

Diagnostic Testing
Our Building Forensic Specialists perform noninvasive testing and analysis to trace water leaks, organic growth, or other issues back to their source, leading to sound solutions and repairs. Our Team utilizes knowledge and experience, as well as various methods and techniques to diagnose the problem.

Building Investigation
The Amento Group Team plans and leads intrusive openings of various building components, by peeling back material layers to determine underlying conditions, material damage, installation methods, general performance, and overall assembly longevity. Information gained during investigations is utilized by our Construction Project Managers to make recommendations, and by our Architectural Team to make design decisions and improve the accuracy of our drawings.

Project Planning & Scope Development

Establishing specific project goals, deliverables, tasks, schematic scopes of repair, estimated costs, and preliminary timelines to set your project up for success.

Schematic Scope of Repair
Our Team prepares schematic scopes of repair, which are high-level written scopes that generally define project repairs, repair locations, and materials. This information is utilized to procure rough order of magnitude pricing, establish initial project budgets, and provide a road map for project decision making.

Rough Order of Magnitude Pricing and Estimated
Project Budget We work with local remediation contractors to procure rough order of magnitude pricing for our schematic scopes of repair. This pricing is integrated into an estimated project budget that is used to make decisions, prioritize repairs, complete value engineering, and initiate preliminary financing discussions.

Preliminary Project Timeline and Schedule
Many tasks need to fall into line to ensure the project will be on track and schedule. Our Construction Project Managers assess these tasks early, and update project timelines often, to establish achievable project goals from the onset.

Construction Management

Construction Management

Effective management of your project’s scope, schedule, and budget is the key to establishing quality, function, and safety goals from conception to completion of your project.

Budget and Schedule Oversight
Our Construction Project Managers provide laser-focused project budget and schedule review and oversight for every project. Monthly updates are provided to the Client during construction to ensure the project is on track.

Scope Oversight
Our Team has a wealth of historical construction knowledge that lends to constructability, sequencing, and creative problem solving to support the Architectural Team and contractors. Construction Project Managers host weekly construction meetings and make regular site visits to ensure the project is on course with expectations established in the Construction Documents.

Maintain Client Engagement
Every project has risks, challenges, and surprises, so we remain in regular contact with our Clients throughout construction. Our Construction Project Managers are committed to explaining the process, answering questions, and stepping in to guide difficult decisions as your project moves forward.

Architecture

Functional and aesthetic repair designs and details to strengthen the future integrity of your building enclosure, all while keeping long term performance and future maintenance in the forefront.

Design
Our primary focus is building enclosure remediation of existing buildings. We are sensitive to the particular look of a building and how it may change as it is enhanced to properly fight water intrusion. Our Architectural Team develops waterproofing and repair details that are functional, practical, and aesthetic, with special attention to waterproofing measures designed for the Pacific Northwest.

Document Production
Our architectural drawings, details, and specifications provide project-specific ‘scope of repair’ documents that routinely deliver accurate and consistent pricing from contractors. Our Architectural Team completes comprehensive in-house peer reviews of our documents to ensure cohesive and accurate work product is issued for bidding, permitting, and construction. This integrated process historically reduces the number of requests for information and potential change orders on our projects.

Construction Administration
Our Architectural Team actively participates in the construction process. We work closely with the construction crew to ensure the Construction Documents are followed during all aspects of construction. We provide oversight during construction by completing site visits, answering contractors’ questions, and providing direction.

Amento Group architecture team members working together.

Engineering

Two garogoyles on the exterior of the Fischer Studio Building

Engineering

Ensuring life safety and property preservation are maintained by providing structural design for stability, strength, and serviceability.

Design
A broad spectrum of structural design solutions are possible. Our Structural Engineering Team prepares structural solutions that are effective, while considering the economic impact to your project. Our structural design approach is methodical, employing careful attention to detail and documenting structural analyses in a clear and concise manner.

Document Production
Our Team provides repairs for various challenging projects, including, but not limited to: 1) repairs to structural building components associated with remediation projects; 2) new construction; 3) additions and alterations to existing buildings; and 4) seismic rehabilitation of buildings, earth retaining structures, special projects, cladding anchorage, pedestrian bridges, and miscellaneous structures. Emergency repair and shoring design are frequently encountered during remediation projects. Our Structural Engineering Team can respond immediately, saving valuable time on a project’s schedule.

Construction Administration
Our Structural Engineering Team engages during construction administration when structural needs arise, such as if framing damage is found or framing varies from what was anticipated. Our Team works closely with the Architectural Team and contractor to preserve the integrity of the existing building structure and overall design intent.

Claims Consulting

Litigation support and expert witness testimony including analysis of construction claims and defects, schedule delays, impacts and associated damages, and dispute resolution.

On-The-Job Dispute Resolution
The highest return on your consultant investment occurs when a problem is solved before it morphs into a prolonged and contested dispute. We work with owners, contractors, and design professionals to identify, analyze, and resolve potentially costly disputes before parties are polarized.

Claims Preparation and Analysis
Our team of multi-disciplined professionals has the requisite experience, knowledge, and skills to operate in today’s sophisticated claims environment. We utilize this extensive expertise to prove or defend complicated financial, impact, and delay claims.

Expert Testimony and Litigation Support
Some claims and disputes may escalate further, requiring mediation, arbitration, or a judicial hearing. When used in any of these forums, our analytical and presentation skills can help your project and legal team deliver a factual and compelling account of your position.