Building Consultant/General Contractor

Keystoneforensics; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Keystone Experts & Engineers is seeking Building Consultants for a flexible, remote, part-time 1099 contract role. Ideal candidates have a background in construction, general contracting, estimating, or insurance claims.

You will evaluate property damage, prepare professional estimates and reports, and provide expert insights for insurance carriers, attorneys, and stakeholders. This position offers remote work and occasional travel, with opportunities to serve as an expert witness when required.

Qualifications

• Experience in general contracting, construction, home remodeling, mitigation, or related fields.
• Contractor’s license (if required in your state).
• Hands-on experience with insurance-related repairs or claims estimating.
• Proficiency in construction estimating methods (time & materials) and software-based systems.
• Familiar with industry software such as Symbility, Matterport, DocuSketch, and Hover.
• Prior experience preparing estimates and proposals, including large-loss projects.
• IICRC certification and/or mitigation contracting experience is a plus.
• Strong written communication to produce detailed, professional reports.
• Ability and willingness to travel for field inspections and CAT events.
• Physically capable of accessing roofs and crawl spaces.
• Any experience with expert testimony, depositions, or published industry articles is a plus.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to assignments promptly, typically scheduling inspections within 24 hours.
• Conduct onsite property inspections (often with engineers) within 7 days of assignment.
• Access rooftops, crawlspaces, and other challenging environments to conduct full evaluations.
• Prepare detailed photo reports, cost estimates (using Xactimate or similar), and written reports within 7 days post-inspection.
• Collaborate with Keystone’s Managing Building Consultant during the review and approval process, responding within 24 hours of report feedback.
• Occasionally travel to perform CAT (Catastrophe) event evaluations.
• Participate in joint inspections and communicate effectively with policyholders, engineers, and claim adjusters.
• Act as an expert witness, when required, and provide credible testimony based on your construction experience.

Skills

General contracting

Construction

Home remodeling

Mitigation

Insurance claims estimating

Symbility

Matterport

DocuSketch

Hover

Expert testimony

Travel willingness

Tools

Symbility

Matterport

DocuSketch

Hover

Job description

When answers matter most, Keystone Experts & Engineers deliver. Keystone specializes in forensic engineering and investigative services for commercial and residential structures, vehicles, and products. Our multi-disciplinary team includes highly experienced engineers, architects, fire investigators, contractors, and industry experts strategically located across the country to serve a national client base.

Keystone provides streamlined, fact-based forensic consulting services designed to meet our clients’ needs with clarity, accuracy, and timeliness. Our reports are tailored to client specifications and backed by expert analysis, ensuring clear, defensible conclusions and industry-leading turnaround times.

The Keystone Way is more than a process: it’s our commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity, honesty, accuracy, timeliness, and accountability. These values guide every project we undertake. By combining top-tier expertise, open communication, and dependable service, we go beyond industry standards to deliver results our clients can trust.

About the role

Keystone Building Consultants is seeking experienced professionals in construction, insurance appraisal, or mitigation services to join our team as Building Consultants. This is a flexible, contract-based opportunity for individuals with a background in general contracting, estimating, or insurance claims, who are ready to act as third-party experts within the insurance industry.

As a Building Consultant, you will play a critical role in evaluating property damage, preparing professional estimates and reports, and delivering expert insights for insurance carriers, attorneys, and other stakeholders. This position is ideal for those with a hands‑on background in construction, a passion for detail, and the ability to provide objective and comprehensive evaluations. This is a fully remote, part-time, 1099 contracted position.

What you'll do

• Receive and respond to assignments promptly, typically scheduling inspections within 24 hours.
• Conduct thorough onsite property inspections (often with engineers) within 7 days of assignment.
• Access rooftops, crawlspaces, and other challenging environments to conduct full evaluations.
• Prepare detailed photo reports, cost estimates (using Xactimate or similar), and written reports within 7 days post-inspection.
• Collaborate with Keystone’s Managing Building Consultant during the review and approval process, responding within 24 hours of report feedback.
• Occasionally travel to perform CAT (Catastrophe) event evaluations.
• Participate in joint inspections and communicate effectively with policyholders, engineers, and claim adjusters.
• Act as an expert witness, when required, and provide credible testimony based on your construction experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in general contracting, construction, home remodeling, mitigation, or related fields.
• Previous or current contractor’s license (if required in your state).
• Hands‑on experience with insurance-related repairs or claims estimating.
• Proficiency in construction estimating methods, including time & materials and software-based systems.
• Proficient or familiar with industry software such as:
• Symbility
• Matterport
• DocuSketch
• Hover
• Prior experience preparing estimates and proposals, including large-loss projects.
• IICRC certification and/or mitigation contracting experience is a plus.
• Strong written communication skills to produce detailed, professional reports.
• Ability and willingness to travel for field inspections and CAT events.
• Physically capable of conducting inspections, including accessing roofs and crawl spaces.
• Any experience with expert testimony, depositions, or published industry articles is a plus.
• Must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines.