Mr. Matthew Furlong, CBC, RBC, CFC, ICC member, OSHA 10 & 30
Mr. Matthew Furlong is the owner of Först Consulting Group based out of the company’s Washington, D.C. metro office. He specializes in forensic engineering, scientific investigations, technical report writing and expert witness testimony for construction claims and litigation matters. Mr. Furlong has over 20 years of experience with new construction, project coordination and design, remodeling, and field inspections of building systems for residential, multi-family, and commercial low and high-rise properties. He has successfully completed or has been involved in more than 600 projects.
His experience and background range from high-end new custom home construction, interior renovations and additions to green building and energy efficient homes, historical renovations, timer-framing, and creating elaborate custom interiors in prestigious estate-sized homes.
Mr. Furlong provides services in the forensic investigation field related to construction deficiencies, building code compliances, contract review and analysis, construction delay analysis, and construction injury investigation. This includes building pathology, structural capability, home energy performance, EIF’s and stucco, insulation and attic ventilation, siding/facades and rain screens, water and air infiltration, vapor retarder/barriers, infrared thermography, moisture management, exotic hardwoods and failed shower systems.
As an expert witness, Mr. Furlong applies his extensive knowledge and expertise of building and construction practices, as well as job-site health and safety in order to provide the consumer and the legal community with relevant opinions and professional advice.
His responsibilities within Först Consulting Group are to provide our clients with expertise in construction defect forensic investigation, litigation support, building and mechanical inspections, give overall oversight including upper level project management for all inspections and investigative projects, and expert legal support services. Additionally, Mr. Furlong’s expertise in Code Analysis also contributes to our performance of transition/warranty evaluations for our community clients.
Mr. Furlong is a Certified Forensic Consultant, Class A Contractor in the state of Virginia, and is trained in emergency management with FEMA. He has received numerous letters of achievement and has successfully demonstrated to manage multi-million-dollar contracts within budget.
Mr. Furlong has served as an expert witness since 2014 and is qualified to provide reliable expert testimony and findings of fact for depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings
Specialties include:
- Building Pathology
- Building Codes
- EIFs and Stucco
- Home Energy Performance
- Insulation and Attic Ventilation
- Infrared Thermography
- Water and Air Infiltration
- Moisture Management
- Failed Shower Systems
- Exotic Hardwoods
- Vapor Retarders/ Barriers
- Frozen Water Pipe Issues
- Structural Performance
- Siding and Rain Screens
- Forensic Expert Witness Services
Please visit our comprehensive website for additional information: https://forstconsultingllc.com/
or call 703-268-8699
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Building Codes
- Building Contractor Liability
- Construction
- Construction Damages
- Construction Insurance
- Scheduling Delay & Analysis
- Solar Energy
- Structural Engineering
- Wood Products & Lumber
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: State Licenses:
Virginia Class 'A' Residential and Commercial Building Contractor: License # 2705 141942A
Washington, DC General Contractor: License # 410518000158
Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor #: PA148193
Independent Education:
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) member: Student ID: 1575541
• Foundations of Courtroom Testimony – 16 Hour Course
American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI) member: Student ID: 117164
• Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC)
International Code Council (ICC) member ID: 8789900
• B1 Residential Building Inspector certified
• E1 Residential Electrical Inspector certified
• P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector certified
• M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector certified
• R5 Residential Combination Inspector certified
• B2 Commercial Building Inspector certified
Hillsdale College:
• Successful online completion of Constitution 101 – The Meaning and History of the Constitution
Professional Associations:
• American Bar Association (ABA) member: Member ID: 03135408
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) member: Member ID: 3223151
• International Code Council (ICC) member: Member ID: 8789900
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI): Member ID 12623217 (expired)
Demonstrated Safety, Awareness, and Emergency Management:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training:
• OSHA-10 Hour certified
• OSHA-30 Hour certified
• OSHA-7505 Introduction to Accident Investigation certified, 7.5 contact hours
• OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS) certified, 1.0 contact hour
• Successful online completion of Fall Protection for Construction, 1.0 hour
• Successful online completion of Electrical Safety, 1.0 hour
• Successful online completion of Lockout/Tagout, 1.0 hour
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training:
• IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness (POI) certified
• IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS) certified
• IS-200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident certified
• IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) certified
• IS-800.b National Response Framework certified
• WMD/ Terrorism Awareness for Emergency Responders (AWR-160) certified
Additional Certifications:
• Certified Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Notary Registration: 7759776
• EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator, certificate number: R-I-106481-13-00097
• Designing and Constructing Flood-Resistant Buildings: 6.5 CEU’s
• 2018 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Seminar: 6.0 CEU’s
• 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Seminar: 6.0 CEU’s
• NAUI Rescue Diver certified
• PADI Public Safety Diver certified (introduction to underwater forensics, rescue and recovery)
• Successful completion of the Virginia Boating Safety Course
• Emergency Vehicle Operator III licensed (EVOC III)
• Farm Equipment and Heavy Machinery Extrication certified
• Employed as an on-site EMT and ERT for the Federal Government during the construction of the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency building in Springfield, Virginia
• Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (expired license): First responder to accidents, incidences, and injuries; provided basic life support and transport; pre-hospital patient care reporting
• Michigan Stated Licensed Automotive Technician (expired license)
Factory/ Manufacturer Training:
• Schluter Systems
• James Hardie Siding
• Marvin Doors and Windows
• Simpson Strong-Tie
• Trex Decking
• Blueprint Robotics
• Pella Windows and Doors
• Nest Pro
• Wedi Corp.
• Signature Door
• ThermaTru Doors/OSI
• CertainTeed
Awards/ Recognitions/ Achievements:
• Numerous letters of satisfaction from Karl Rove – Senior Advisor/ Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush
• Special Tribute from House of Representatives, State of Michigan
• Awarded a one-year scholarship to Associated Builders & Contractors apprenticeship program
Media Contributions/ Publications:
• Middleburg Life Magazine – August 2018 issue, “A Dream Gone From Bad to Good”
• Loudoun Now - July 2017 issue, “Forst Consulting Group Forms in Bluemont”
• Viva Tyson’s Magazine - September 2017 issue, “Be Your Own Best Advocate”
• Avid blog post content and personal contributor to Forst Consulting website
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: • American Bar Association (ABA) member: Member ID: 03135408 (expired)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) member: Member ID: 3223151
• International Code Council (ICC) member: Member ID: 8789900
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Business ID: 236021983
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Greater than 100
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Forensic engineering, building code and contract analysis, scientific investigations, failure analysis, technical reporting, and expert witness testimony for construction claims and litigation matters.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 90%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 10%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 3
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2023
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: Approximately 30
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: Nine years.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Forensic engineering, building code and contract analysis, scientific investigations, failure analysis, technical reporting, and expert witness testimony for construction claims and litigation matters.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: $325.00 per hour out-of-court
$500.00 per hour in court - Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: 1.) We require a $6,500.00 initial retainer for the first 20 hours of consulting.
2.) $325.00 per hour for all site inspections, consulting services, reading, and discovery information sent and evaluated, as well as any written reports or estimates you may desire.
3.) Should this matter lead to any form of litigation, our rate for professional testimony is $500.00 per hour for any time spent providing a deposition, in court, or at arbitration, payable one week prior to my appearance. In addition, all expenses are to be paid in full for consulting services prior to my appearance.
4.) $2,500.00 minimum fee for providing a deposition, should it be requested by opposing counsel. This should be payable as a deposit against five (5) hours of time, and must be paid one week prior to the deposition. Should the deposition continue longer than five hours, then our standard $500.00 per hour fee will be applicable.
5.) All travel expenses to be reimbursed as per the Fee Schedule (travel time plus .65.5 cents/mile - 2023 IRS mileage). - Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: $2,500.00 minimum fee for providing a deposition, should it be requested by opposing counsel. This should be payable as a deposit against five (5) hours of time, and must be paid one week prior to the deposition. Should the deposition continue longer than five hours, then our standard $500.00 per hour fee will be applicable.
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Travel time plus .65.5 cents/mile - 2023 IRS mileage.
John Cowherd
Cowherd, PLC
john@cowherdplc.com
703.201.4179
James C. Judkins
Cowles, Rinaldi, Judkins & Korjus
10521 Judicial Drive
Suite 204
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-385-9868 Ext 102
Fax 703-385-4353