Invasive Testing for Forensic Engineers and Building Investigations
Disciplined openings, clear documentation, and clean restoration on occupied Texas properties
Invasive testing is how a forensic engineer confirms what is behind the cladding. Shepperd Construction’s cross-trained crews open stucco, brick, stone, siding, windows, balconies, and roofs to your protocol, document every location, and restore each opening so the building stays watertight and residents stay in place.
- Built to Your Testing Protocol
- Actionable Cost of Repair Estimates
- Confidential Handling
Invasive testing, also called destructive testing, is the controlled removal of finishes and building materials at selected locations so a forensic engineer can inspect concealed conditions such as flashing, sheathing, framing, and waterproofing. Each opening is documented, then restored.
The Evidence Behind Every Defect Finding
Visual inspections and moisture readings point to a problem. Invasive testing proves it. When a construction defect claim depends on what is inside a wall, the quality of each opening, and of the record made there, shapes the strength of the engineer’s findings.
Shepperd has supported forensic engineers and attorneys on field testing across Texas for 12 years. Many of these projects are tied to active claims, so we keep project details confidential and stay in our role: we open, document, and restore. Cause and conclusions belong to the engineer.
Cross-Trained Crews
One crew opens and restores stucco, masonry, siding, windows, and roofing, so no condition is out of reach.
Disciplined Documentation
Each location is photographed and logged as layers come off, to the engineer's protocol.
Clean Restoration
Openings are closed and weather-protected, then restored to match the surrounding finish.
When Invasive Testing Is the Right Next Step
Testing is usually scoped by the engineer after a visual survey. These are the situations where it earns its cost:
- Leaks or damage keep returning after repairs
- Moisture readings or infrared show wet areas behind the cladding
- An engineer needs to confirm flashing, barrier, or framing conditions
- A construction defect claim needs field evidence
- An insurer needs to separate defect from storm damage
- A board needs a reliable scope before funding reconstruction
- Balconies, decks, or walls show cracking, rot, or movement
If your HOA board is still looking for an engineer, our guide on how to hire a forensic engineer for an HOA is a good place to start.
Where Test Openings Are Made
Openings go where the engineer expects the strongest evidence: under window sills and at window heads, at floor lines and roof-to-wall transitions, at balcony and deck connections, and at penetrations. Common materials include stucco and EIFS, brick and stone veneer, siding, windows and doors, balconies, and roofs.
At each location we remove layers in sequence so the engineer can see how the assembly was built, from cladding to barrier to sheathing. Where the protocol calls for it, we coordinate water intrusion testing at the same opening. Findings then feed the engineering report and, later, the repair scope.
Who We Support in the Field
Invasive testing serves several parties at once. We work to the protocol and keep the record clean for all of them.
Forensic Engineers
Openings, access, and restoration to your protocol, from crews who understand what you need to see.
Construction Defect Attorneys
Field evidence documented carefully, plus cost of repair estimates that support the case.
HOA Boards & Owners
Testing coordinated around residents, with clear notices and a building left watertight. See our HOA work.
Invasive Testing Services
Our field support covers the full cycle of a testing program, from access to restoration and pricing.
Selective Openings
Controlled removal of cladding and finishes at engineer-selected locations.
Layer-by-Layer Exposure
Cladding, barrier, flashing, and sheathing exposed in sequence for inspection.
Photo & Location Logs
Each opening photographed and recorded to support the engineer's report.
Water Testing Coordination
Spray or flood testing at openings when the protocol calls for it.
Temporary Protection
Openings weather-protected and secured while testing is underway.
Restoration of Test Locations
Each opening rebuilt and finished to match the surrounding wall.
Difficult Access
Rope access, swing stage, and lifts for upper elevations.
Cost of Repair Estimates
Quantified repair scopes and pricing based on the engineer's criteria.
How a Testing Program Runs
Every program follows the engineer’s protocol. Our job is to make it run cleanly on an occupied property.
We review the testing plan, locations, and access needs, and plan resident notices.
Crews open each location in sequence while the engineer observes and records conditions.
Every location is photographed and logged, with measurements taken as directed.
Openings are restored, and we turn the engineer's repair criteria into a cost of repair.
Why Engineers and Attorneys Trust Shepperd
- 12 Years of Experience
- 500 Projects Completed
- Offices in Dallas, Austin & San Antonio
- 100% Licensed & Insured
Invasive Testing Across Texas
Dallas
Testing support for engineers and attorneys across Dallas and the DFW Metroplex.
Fort Worth
Openings at brick veneer and stone cladding across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Austin
Openings and restoration on multifamily and commercial buildings in Central Texas.
San Antonio
Testing on stucco and EIFS systems across San Antonio and South Texas.
Related Services
Testing is the first step. These services carry the findings through to a priced, finished repair.
Water Intrusion Testing
Controlled testing that finds where rainwater enters before a repair is scoped.
Building Envelope Repair
Engineer-led repair and reconstruction of exterior walls, windows, and transitions.
Preconstruction Services
A prioritized, costed repair plan before your board commits to the full scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the controlled removal of building materials at selected locations so concealed conditions can be inspected. A forensic engineer chooses the locations, a contractor makes the openings, the engineer documents what is found, and the openings are restored.
Yes. The terms are used interchangeably in building investigations. Both describe opening the building to see conditions that visual and non-destructive methods cannot confirm.
The forensic engineer. Locations are chosen from the visual survey, moisture readings, and the claim or question being investigated. We advise on access, sequencing, and resident impact, but the protocol is the engineer’s.
No. Cause and conclusions belong to the engineer. Our role is the field work, the documentation that supports the engineer, restoration of every opening, and cost of repair estimates based on the engineer’s repair criteria.
Yes, in almost all cases. We schedule interior access in advance, keep work areas protected and clean, and close exterior openings so units stay weathertight while the investigation continues.
Each opening is rebuilt in the same layers it was opened in, with barrier and flashing lapped back into the existing assembly, then finished to match the surrounding cladding. Openings that must stay open for further testing are weather-protected in the meantime.
Cost depends on the number of openings, the materials involved, access method and building height, interior work, and how restoration is finished. We price the program once the engineer’s protocol and locations are set.
The engineer reports the findings and writes repair criteria. We turn those criteria into a quantified cost of repair, and when the project moves forward, into building envelope repair or broader reconstruction.
Plan Your Testing Program
Tell us about the property and the testing protocol
Share the property type, the engineer’s protocol or the questions being investigated, and your timeline. We will plan access, openings, and restoration around the building. Prefer to talk first? Use our contact page.
- Built to Your Testing Protocol
- Actionable Cost of Repair Estimates
- Confidential Handling