Our Services
NOVA provides comprehensive services across Southern California, with over 16 years of expertise in the industry. Our team of over 95 professionals includes California-registered engineers, geologists, special inspectors, project managers, and field technicians. We are dedicated to delivering quality services during the design and construction phases of your projects. Equipped with state-of-the-art, accredited laboratories validated by entities such as the AASHTO re:source, Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL), Division of the State Architect (DSA), Caltrans, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, we ensure precise and reliable testing. NOVA's commitment to excellence extends to quick turnaround times and off-hours testing, meeting the dynamic needs of projects of all sizes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AT NOVA SERVICES
At NOVA, our Environmental Department delivers comprehensive environmental due diligence services tailored to meet the needs of our clients including developers, investors, lenders, private equity firms, and commercial real estate professionals. We specialize in conducting Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments to identify and manage potential environmental risks associated with property transactions, development, and financing. Our team delivers timely, in-depth evaluations that support informed decision-making, mitigate liability, and ensure regulatory compliance across a wide range of asset types and project scopes.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
A Phase I ESA is a critical first step in evaluating the environmental condition of a property in accordance with ASTM E1527-21. It consists of in-depth investigation to assess potential environmental risks and liabilities associated with a property. It is essential for due diligence in property transactions, ensuring environmental compliance and minimizing liability.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
A Phase II ESA is conducted through soil, groundwater, and soil vapor sampling to determine contamination levels and assess impact. It provides critical information for addressing environmental issues, ensuring proper remediation, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Importance
Risk Management
Informs property owners, lenders, or developers of environmental concerns that could affect property value or use.
Liability Protection
Helps reduce the threat of future environmental liabilities for owners, buyers, or lenders and limits the potential of expensive remediation actions.
Due Diligence
Serves as an essential component of real estate transactions, financing, or development projects.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensures compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and other environmental laws.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
NOVA’s geologists and geotechnical engineers deliver comprehensive consulting and engineering design services to a diverse range of clients, including owners, construction managers, architects, developers, structural engineers, contractors, and civil engineers. Our extensive portfolio includes educational facilities, high-rise buildings, healthcare facilities, parking structures, earth retaining systems, municipal infrastructure, airport/transportation developments, and industrial parks.
Practicing in a region characterized by unique geology and seismology, NOVA emphasizes close collaboration between our engineers and geologists to develop tailored solutions for specific site conditions. This teamwork fosters integrated and efficient solutions to unexpected site conditions, saving time and resources.
We support projects at every stage, from due diligence and pre-acquisition through construction and post-construction, with each phase benefiting from the expertise and insight of our team. During construction, we act as Quality Assurance (QA) representatives for owners and as Quality Control (QC) partners for contractors. Many owners, contractors, construction managers, and other construction professionals have counted on NOVA’s geotechnical engineering staff to oversee geotechnical testing and inspection services during the construction process. Whether conducting on-site testing and inspection or providing third-party documentation of geotechnical construction, our team consistently delivers valuable, cost-effective consulting to support successful project outcomes.
Milestone Program
A distinctive feature of NOVA’s geotechnical services is our Milestone Program. This program reflects NOVA’s dedication to keeping clients informed and engaged throughout the geotechnical process. Milestone notifications are informal documents structured to update clients on our findings at key phases of the work. At a minimum, these notifications are issued to describe:
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Project Initiation
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Completion of Subsurface Exploration
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Preliminary Recommendations
Our guiding principle is ‘no surprises.’ As project size and complexity grow, our level of communication increases accordingly. For instance, a larger project on a challenging site might include additional Milestones addressing seismic surveys, pavement design, results of numerical modeling, or the design of deep foundations.
Pre-Design and Design Services
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Preliminary Site Review
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Geologic and Geotechnical Site Reconnaissance
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Subsurface Exploration
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In Situ Testing/Laboratory Testing
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Geologic Hazard and Fault Investigation
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Settlement/Bearing Capacity Analysis
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Liquefaction Analysis
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Foundation Design
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Slope Stability Analysis
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Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering
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Groundwater, Seepage, and Dewatering
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Earthwork and Grading Specification Preparation
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Third Party Review
Construction/Post-Construction
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Grading Observation
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Fill Evaluation and Selection
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Groundwater Mitigation and Control
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Field Observation of Geotechnical Elements
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Geotechnical Performance Testing
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Geotechnical Monitoring
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Compaction Testing
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Utility Trench Backfill
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On-Site Geotechnical Remediation
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Expert Testimony Litigation Support
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Pavement and Building Distress and Condition Analysis
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
NOVA believes that the expertise of our qualified inspectors is a valuable asset for clients to verify that all contractual obligations are fulfilled, promote public safety, prevent failures, and enhance project quality. We take pride in the ability to effectively communicate with our clients and provide comprehensive written and photographic documentation electronically.
Our inspection team is well-versed in the latest construction materials, methods, equipment, sampling techniques, testing procedures, verification practices, and the application of various building materials. Each of our inspectors has undergone training and certification, equipping then to verify that projects are built with quality materials in compliance with project plans, specifications, building codes, and agency regulations. Inspectors are certified by one or more of the following agencies:
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American Concrete Institute (ACI)
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American Welding Society (AWS)
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City of San Diego
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Division of the State Architect (DSA)
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International Code Council (ICC)
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Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
Our inspection team uses MetaField software by Agile Frameworks to streamline the management of reports and test results. All dispatch activities are coordinated through MetaField, with inspectors receiving text notifications containing assignment details, including the project address, on-site contact, and type of inspection to be performed. Inspections are documented in MetaField, including attaching progress photos of the work. Samples are logged in the system, and testing assigned from the field at the time of sampling. Daily reports and test results are forwarded and managed using MetaField, where they are reviewed by one of our registered professional engineers prior to distribution, also performed through MetaField. Clients consistently commend our reporting for its clarity, comprehensiveness, and detailed photo documentation, which provides valuable documentation of the progress and quality of work.
Special Inspection Services
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Reinforced Concrete
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Post-Tensioned Concrete
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Structural Masonry
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Spray-Applied Fireproofing
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Structural Steel and Bolting
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Structural Welding
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Pile Driving
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Wood Framing
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Roofing
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Non-Destructive Testing: Ultrasonic, Liquid Penetrant and, Magnetic Particle Testing
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Strength of Materials Testing
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Epoxy Anchors
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Tagging and Sampling of Reinforcing Steel
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Materials Sampling and Testing
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Batch Plant Inspection
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Bolt-Tension Testing
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Proof Load Testing (dowels, shot pins, anchors, etc.)
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Torque Testing
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Fabric Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FCRM)
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Wood Moisture Content Testing
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Vapor Emission and Floor Flatness Testing
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Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP)
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Concrete Mix and Hot Mix Asphalt Design Review
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DSA/HCAI Inspection
MATERIALS TESTING
Sound laboratory testing is one of NOVA’s core values. It is crucial for maintaining material quality, structural integrity, code compliance, and safety. Our laboratory undergoes regular assessments and participates in proficiency sample programs with the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) and AASHTO re:source (formerly AMRL). Our Irvine laboratory is certified by the City of Los Angeles and our San Diego laboratory is certified by the City of San Diego; validated by the US Army Corps of Engineers; and inspected and approved by Caltrans, the Division of the State Architect (DSA), and the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).
Our laboratory technicians hold certifications from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Caltrans, adhering to proper laboratory techniques and methodology at all times. We take pride in employing top-tier laboratory personnel to conduct all of your construction materials testing.
ForneyVaultTM and MetaField
NOVA Services is the only laboratory in southern California to use ForneyVault™ as part of its concrete testing process. ForneyVault™ is a unique computerized system that closes the loop between sample creation, testing, data collection, dissemination, and use. The automated collection and storage system reduces the risk of errors and increases laboratory productivity, test accuracy, and compliance. The testing data is collected in a secure, unalterable format in a cloud-based database according to unique GUID codes. This insures compliance with material testing standards and secures results via reporting that can be traced and audited. The VFD automatic machine accurately and reliably controls tests according to pre-determined protocol, resulting in a reduction of discrepancies and errors.
MetaField and ForneyVault™ are integrated to facilitate the testing and reporting process. Concrete test data is entered into MetaField by our technician in the field. On the scheduled test date the data is automatically transmitted to ForneyVault™. Once the test has been completed the data is transmitted back to MetaField, and reports can be reviewed and distributed within minutes.
Materials Testing Services
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Concrete and Hot Mix Asphalt Mix Designs
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Field Density Testing of Compacted Asphaltic Pavement
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Laboratory Determination of Density for Asphalt
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Ignition Oven Determinations of Various Types of Asphalt Binder Contents
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Hveem Stability (S-Value) Determinations for Asphalt Concrete
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Wet Track Abrasion
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R-Value Testing
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Asphalt and Concrete Coring
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Aggregate Quality/Qualification Testing
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Cleanness Value of Aggregate
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California Bearing Ratio
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Maximum Density for Soil Compaction
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Sieve Analysis
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Direct Shear (Undisturbed and Remold)
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Atterberg Limits
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Expansion Index
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Consolidation
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Sand Equivalent/Durability Tests
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Concrete and Masonry Compression Testing
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Concrete Flexural Strength Testing
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Concrete Shrinkage
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Dry Density of Spray Applied Fire-Resistive Material
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Mechanical Properties of Reinforcing Steel
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Mechanical Properties of Steel Strand
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Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Tensile
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Shotcrete Compression and Shotcrete Nozzleman Grading
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Masonry Block Conformance
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Moisture Vapor Emissions
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT SERVICES
Building condition surveys and environmental site assessments are an essential step in safeguarding your property investments. Many of our clients find these services valuable for identifying potential negotiating leverage to lower purchase prices and refinancing, evaluating potential issues, aiding in planning for necessary repairs, and ensuring environmental compliance.
Core Asset Evaluation (CAE)
A CAE is a streamlined report that highlights fundamental elements of a property and remaining useful life of critical components including pavements, HVAC, roofing, exterior walls, and plumbing. A clear and concise report is produced detailing current property conditions, identifying immediate repair needs and long-term replacement as well as projections of the cost of repairs and replacements necessary over the evaluation term.
Property Condition Assessment (PCA)
A PCA is a comprehensive evaluation of a property’s physical condition in accordance with ASTM E2018-2024. It includes in-depth inspection of all major systems and site components including pavements, flatwork, site drainage, landscaping, building facades, roofing, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, HVAC, fire protection/life safety systems, and ancillary buildings. The PCA provides a clear understanding of the current state of the property as well as immediate repair and long-term capital expenditures projected over a 10-year period.
Importance
Informed Decision Making
Provides clear understanding of current and future condition of a property, enabling more informed decisions during acquisitions, refinancing, or ownership changes. Can be used to negotiate purchase prices to ensure fair value is paid based on the property’s actual condition and to plan for future maintenance and repair.
Risk Management and Mitigation
Identify and quantify potential risks, such as system failures/major repairs, enables property owners and insurance providers to mitigate unforeseen risks.
Loan Fulfillment and Capital Planning
CAEs help to anticipate future capital needs, making it easier to budget for repairs and replacements in a strategic, cost-effective manner. PCAs are often required for loan approval, ensuring the property’s condition aligns with a lender’s risk assessment.