Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Consulting & Technical Advisory Services
CONSULTING SERVICES & PRICES
Projects involving Structural Insulated Panels often require experienced technical guidance to ensure systems are designed, manufactured, and installed correctly. Questions around engineering, manufacturing processes, installation planning, code compliance, and long-term system performance can significantly affect project outcomes.
PGS Consulting LLC provides independent consulting focused exclusively on Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), EPS geofoam, and advanced building systems. We work with manufacturers, builders, architects, developers, homeowners, and legal teams who need clear answers and practical solutions.
Many clients come to us when a project involves uncertainty. Engineering questions, documentation gaps, manufacturing challenges, or field performance concerns can slow progress and increase risk. Our role is to bring clarity to those situations and help teams move forward with confidence.
This page outlines the consulting services PGS provides and the typical pricing structure used for most engagements.
Clarity, structure, and experienced guidance for teams who need building systems to work the first time.
SIP & Advanced Building Consulting Services
PGS Consulting LLC provides consulting services that support Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) systems across engineering, manufacturing, installation, and long-term performance. Our work focuses on helping project teams develop clear documentation, reliable systems, and practical solutions that improve outcomes in both production and the field.
Rather than providing templates or partial frameworks, PGS Consulting develops complete, ready-to-use documentation and system guidance that teams can implement immediately. This may include engineering review, manufacturing quality systems, installation guidance, or technical documentation that supports code compliance and consistent performance.
The consulting services outlined below are organized into several categories that reflect the most common areas where manufacturers, builders, architects, and project teams need experienced SIP consulting support.
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Clear, engineering-informed systems that support compliance, performance, and long-term reliability.
Typical services include:
SIP structural engineering project evaluation
Review of load paths and structural design for snow, wind, and seismic forces
Interpretation of regional building code requirements
Guidance on product evaluation reports and compliance documentation
Technical review aligned with building science principles
Coordination with licensed PEs, EOR’s
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Strong manufacturing systems are the foundation of consistent, compliant production — in SIPs and beyond.
Typical services include:
Plant layout and workflow optimization
Equipment selection and fabrication strategy
Quality control and QA system development
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Work Instruction (WI), and Form Report (FR) systems
Product evaluation report alignment
Troubleshooting production inefficiencies
Performance validation and compliance support
Production documentation
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Clear, field‑ready documentation improves installation quality, reduces callbacks, and supports long‑term performance.
Typical services include:
Builder Best Practice documentation
Field‑ready installation guides
Publication‑grade PDFs
Installation guidance
Construction‑phase layout support
Field documentation
Installation best practice guidance
Construction-phase layout assistance
Troubleshooting installation challenges
Commissioning oversight
Blower door testing and air-sealing validation
Performance verification prior to finish installation
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For manufacturers, associations, and multi‑party groups, PGS provides structured, research‑driven support.
Typical services include:
SIP and geofoam product selection consulting
Alignment with insulation and performance goals
Constructability evaluation
Budget-performance balancing
Manufacturer coordination
Regulatory and code‑pathway roadmaps
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When a system fails — structurally, thermally, or through moisture intrusion — clients need more than a diagnosis. They need a clear, engineering‑informed plan to repair the issue safely, efficiently, and permanently.
Forensic repair analysis is where engineering, building science, installation knowledge, and field experience converge. This is not litigation support (that lives in the Expert Witness section). This is technical problem‑solving for clients who need answers and a path forward, not a courtroom strategy.
Typical services include:
Root cause analysis
Field investigation and documentation
Structural and building‑science evaluation
Moisture and air‑sealing diagnostics
Assessment of installation deviations
Evaluation of manufacturing or material defects
Determination of failure pathways
Repair strategy development
Remediation design and sequencing
Coordination with engineers, contractors, and insurers
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Clear, unbiased, technically grounded analysis for legal teams, insurers, and dispute resolution professionals.
Typical services include:
Structural failure investigation
Code compliance analysis
Manufacturing defect review
Installation performance evaluation
Technical report preparation
Expert witness testimony for litigation and arbitration
Consulting Pricing & Engagement Structure
Every project is different, but most engagements follow a predictable structure. These ranges reflect the value, risk reduction, and complete systems delivered at each phase.
Phase-Based Pricing
Phase 1 — Engineering & Compliance Systems
Typical Range: $5,000 – $45,000
This phase delivers the first major reduction in uncertainty.
You receive clarity, direction, and a compliant engineering pathway.
Phase 1B — Manufacturing & QC Systems
Typical Range: $7,500 – $65,000
This is one of the highest‑value phases.
You receive complete, ready‑to‑deploy QC and manufacturing systems that strengthen compliance and consistency for years.
Phase 2 — Documentation & Field Systems
Typical Range: $7,500 – $40,000
You receive publication‑grade, field‑ready documentation that reduces installation errors, callbacks, and disputes.
Phase 3 — Advisory Support (Optional)
Typical Range: $3,000 – $7,500 per month
This phase provides continuity, refinement, and ongoing technical guidance.
Clients are paying for access to our judgment, not hours.
Phase 4 — Field Deployment (Optional)
Typical Range: $5,000 – $12,500 per month
This phase ensures systems perform as intended in the field.
We provide installation guidance, verification workflows, and on‑site support.
Forensic Repair & Remediation Planning Pricing
Forensic repair analysis follows the same phase‑based structure but uses a slightly different pricing model because the work is highly technical, investigative, and documentation‑heavy.
Phase 1 — Forensic Engineering & Root Cause Analysis
Typical Range: $3,000 – $22,000
Phase 2 — Repair Strategy & Remediation Design
Typical Range: $4,000 – $30,000
Phase 3 — Field Verification & Implementation Support (Optional)
Typical Range: $3,000 – $7,500 per month
Phase 4 — On‑Site Investigation or Oversight (Optional)
Typical Range: $3,000 – $12,500 per month
Expert Witness Services
Clear, unbiased, technically grounded analysis for legal teams, insurers, and dispute resolution professionals.
PGS Consulting LLC provides independent expert witness services for legal teams, insurers, and dispute resolution professionals involved in construction and building system disputes.
Joe Pasma, PE brings more than 40 years of experience across structural engineering, manufacturing systems, installation oversight, and forensic investigation. This cross-disciplinary background allows him to evaluate technical issues from the perspectives of engineering design, manufacturing processes, and field construction.
The goal of expert witness work is straightforward: To help courts, arbitrators, and legal teams understand what happened, why it happened, and what the technical evidence shows.
Areas of Expertise
Expert witness services may involve technical analysis across several areas, including:
Structural Engineering and Code Compliance
Structural failure analysis
Load path evaluation for snow, wind, and seismic conditions
Code interpretation and compliance review
Engineering design evaluation
Manufacturing Systems and Quality Control
Production defects and material inconsistencies
Quality control system failures
Manufacturing workflow and documentation review
Product evaluation report alignment
Installation and Field Performance
Installation errors and constructability issues
Moisture, air sealing, and thermal performance concerns
Layout and assembly deviations
Commissioning and verification failures
Forensic Engineering and Failure Investigation
Root cause analysis
Multi-factor failure scenarios
Documentation review and reconstruction
Field investigation and evidence evaluation
SIP System Expertise
Structural Insulated Panel engineering and design
SIP manufacturing and production processes
SIP installation practices and performance failures
SIP code compliance and evaluation reports
Expert witness work is fundamentally different from project‑based consulting. It requires rapid response, deep analysis, and availability for legal timelines.
Fee Structure for Expert Witness Services
Hourly Rates
Expert witness services typically range from $300 to $650 per hour, depending on:
case complexity
urgency
scope of analysis
required testimony
Specialized forensic engineering may exceed this range.
Retainer
Most cases require an upfront retainer of $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on:
expected hours
timeline
depth of review
Retainers cover initial case review, consultations, and early analysis.
Report Preparation
Detailed engineering or forensic reports typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on complexity.
Court Appearances & Testimony
Courtroom testimony may include additional preparation time and typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 per day, plus travel.
Travel Expenses
Mileage: $0.70 per mile (within 650 miles)
Airfare & lodging: charged at cost
Per diem: $75 per day
Daily travel fee: $500 (applies to travel days, on‑site days, and unavoidable layover days)
Joe Pasma, PE, brings more than 40 years of experience spanning SIP structural engineering, manufacturing systems, installation oversight, and forensic engineering. His cross-disciplinary background allows him to connect engineering intent, manufacturing realities, and field execution — providing practical, technically sound guidance at every stage of a project.
Reducing risk. Improving performance. Delivering clarity.
Let’s Work Together
If you're interested in working with Joe, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.