The number one, absolutely most important thing that I do, is give you a truthful evaluation of your situation based on a thorough and highly knowledgeable inspection of the failure.  I do forensic engineering very well, but I place honest and completely candid communication with my client regarding the failure I’m evaluating above everything else.  I told one client, “look, if this is your insured’s fault, I’m going to tell you “pull out your checkbook”.  I will not lie to you or for you, I will not stretch the truth, and I will not materially change what I say in a report for anyone.  I will be the first person to tell you if I find out I was wrong about something, and that does happen from time to time, usually due to learning new information or finding out I was initially misinformed about something.  

If you have exposure on account of a loss, I know that you are far better off knowing that up front, before you spend time and treasure trying to defend against something that you are going to loose.  I have only one asset that is of supreme worth - my integrity.  If I loose that, I might as well hang it up - I’m worthless as a forensic engineer after that.  I am always conscious of that fact.

I’m an electrical engineer by education, and a forensic engineer by experience.  Most of the work I do involves fires and electrical failures, such as panels, switchgear, transformers, electrical/electronic controls, and battery and solar power failures.  “Fires” is inclusive of all fires, because it is necessary to be a top-notch fire investigator in order to really investigate so-called “electrical fires” - many fires that are just too difficult for less experienced fire investigators (mostly in public service) are called “electrical” instead of “I really can’t figure it out”, or (particularly for public service) “I don’t have time to really figure this out.  I’m going for the obvious”.  

Forensic training has taken me to some very unusual places - pipe breaks (starting because of electrolytic corrosion), RV failures (starting because of electrical systems failures), extreme weather damages to electrical systems (some electricians want to replace anything that has ever been wet - and that’s not always necessary), and even drilling rig failures (and other electro-mechanical equipment).  I also investigate vehicle and heavy equipment fires and failures - nearly everything on a vehicle is connected to or controlled by the electrical system, so that was a natural expansion.  Of course, things like shocks and electrocutions, lightning strikes, and HVAC failures fall right into my “sandbox” (as the lawyers like to say).  

I have been trained in (and taught) thermographic image interpretation, and National Electrical Code and other related Codes, both interpretation and compliance.  For several years I did Reliability Engineering for one long-term client, which involves configuration control, maintenance procedures, and Root Cause Analysis - for the most part, I consider those to be extra tools in my toolbox for figuring out problems and putting together excellent reports - excellent reports keep you out of court most of the time, and help you win when you do have to go to court.

I stay away from structural engineering, but I will send you to an excellent colleague.   I’m not a chemist, so I get help with failures that turn out to be caused by chemical reactions (other than batteries).   I’ve been trained in roof hail damage, and I know the difference between damage from hail and damage from a ball peen hammer, but there are a lot of roof engineers - especially in the South (hail country).  I’ve done “source of moisture” and “source of soot” inspections - the former because it ties into thermography,  the latter because of fire investigation expertise, but I also know where my limits are.  If I know someone who can do your inspection better than I can, I’ll tell you.  And if I don’t, I will tell you what my limits are before you hire me.

Our current hourly rate is $395.  There are special rates for long-term contracts, and we do negotiate rates for special jobs.  The most common negotiated rate is for inspections on smaller losses that do not have sufficient “reserve” to justify more than a fixed amount unless subrogation is very likely, after an initial evaluation.  In those cases, we will often “cap” our price for the initial investigation - usually between $4000 and $5000, depending on travel costs.

Most of the time, I can be on a job site within one or two days.  There are exceptions, for example if I’m scheduled for a court appearance, or a deposition, or have a previously scheduled inspection.  That is rare, however.  One of the advantages of living in Idaho is that we are not booked up for weeks in advance like most forensic engineers in cities - I’m not really sure why that is, other than a perception that Idaho is somewhere on the other side of Mars.  It’s really not.  I’m usually closer (time wise) to a major airport (Salt Lake City) than I would be if I lived in northeast Dallas, because here, there is just no traffic.  

I am licensed and registered as a Professional Engineer currently in 8 States.  I’ve been a Professional Engineer since 1991.  I have been licensed and registered in seven other States over the years, but I only maintain licensure in those States where I do most of my work (and the renewal process is somewhat streamlined).  Licensure by reciprocity in other states is generally a relatively simple and quick procedure, although it takes six months or more in some States.  

Because I got to choose. 😂😂😂  I know it’s cliche, but it’s the truth.

Seriously, when I was located in Dallas, Texas, I had a lot more incoming business, and worked a lot harder than I do now, and I made a lot more money.  But I don’t live to work overtime and make money, there is much more to life than that.  I did jobs from Florida to Washington, North Dakota to Texas, and after a while, I realized that anywhere I lived, I’d be just as close to my work as I was in Dallas.  

Then my second grandson was born, and where my wife wanted to be was close to him.  So, here we are.  (He’s a great young man.)

Idaho is a wonderful place to live.  We try to keep it a secret, but I’ve never been in a place with so many good neighbors, so little hustle and bustle, and I’m a country boy at heart.  I live here because it’s where I belong.  I don’t have any trouble socializing with or competing with city folks, but I sleep better where I can’t hear traffic all night, and I like that driving anywhere locally takes less than 30 minutes.