Christian A. Hallman, CBC
Consultant
SERVICES GROUP
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Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
After 15 years in construction, what’s a recurring finding in your investigations that most people in the industry don’t expect?
The recurring finding that still surprises people is that the obvious damage is rarely the whole story. Most people expect one clear cause, but many failures come from small construction or maintenance issues that existed long before the claim or incident. Things like poor flashing, improper drainage, bad transitions, or deferred maintenance may not look significant at first, but when the right event happens, they become the weak point.
How does investigative cost estimating differ from code compliance review, and what unique evidence or challenges does cost estimating present over the latter?
Code compliance asks, “Does it meet the required minimum standards?”. Investigative cost estimating asks, “What repair scope is necessary, reasonable, supported by the evidence, and efficient?”. Estimating has to connect field findings to real repair costs: access, sequencing, labor, materials, quantities, and market pricing. The challenge is separating event-related damages from pre-existing conditions, maintenance issues, code upgrades, or betterments to give the clearest picture possible.
What’s the one thing every building owner should know about construction that could save them from a costly problem down the road?
Every building owner should understand that maintenance is not optional and there is no such thing as maintenance free – it is either planned or it becomes forced. I often say “You’re going to get cut either way; you might as well control when it happens.” Small issues like drainage, sealant, roofing, flashing, and moisture intrusion rarely fix themselves. Spending intentionally on upkeep costs far less than waiting until the building decides for you.
Background
Mr. Christian Hallman is a Certified Building Contractor in the state of Florida. Mr. Hallman has over 15 years of experience in construction, damage evaluation, mitigation, and restoration.
The above industry experience consists of handling contract and project management, construction documentation, building code compliance, construction site supervision, safety compliance, property insurance claims, property restoration, structural restoration, construction, restoration, and mitigation cost estimating for residential, multi-family, commercial, healthcare, educational, and hospitality construction projects. His vast experience in the construction industry includes experience in project management, scheduling, project take-offs, staging, and hands-on knowledge and skill of construction trades, including concrete retaining walls (gravity retaining walls); foundations and masonry; rough and finish carpentry, cold-formed metal framing, and drywall; electrical and plumbing installations; roofing; and interior and exterior finishes, coatings, and fenestrations. His knowledge and direct experience extend to the finished landscape, including pool care.
Mr. Hallman has extensive industry experience in concrete footings; concrete masonry unit (CMU) and cast-in-place concrete foundations; wood foundations; wood framed-floor systems; floor and roof truss systems; low-slope and steep-slope roof assemblies and coverings; masonry; interior and exterior wall coverings; single-family residence construction, custom home building; multi-family building construction; and healthcare construction. He has worked in the restoration construction field as an estimator, supervisor, operational trainer, tradesman, and project manager to repair and restore properties following large-loss disasters such as floods, fires, tornados, hurricanes, and biohazards.
Mr. Hallman has worked in and with the insurance industry for over 7 years as a contractor, tradesman, estimator, supervisor, and project manager. He has experience in residential, commercial, healthcare, and educational claim handling, dispute resolution, site inspections and investigation, damage assessment, and catastrophe events; and Xactimate and Symbility estimating software. He has conducted large loss estimate reviews to determine accuracy in damage assessment, cost of total damages, and accuracy and efficiency in repair protocols.
Education and Certifications
- Florida Certified Building Contractor License: CBC1267609
- Florida Licensed Home Inspector: HI15667
- Certified Healthcare Remediator – Supervisor: 163475-20250515-1141
- IICRC-Certified Water Damage Restoration: 70004197
- Certified Pool Operator