Business Details
48 Years
experience
Engineering Geologic Evaluations & Forensic Services
Founded in 1978, Robertson Geotechnical specializes in engineering geologic evaluations for construction, additions, and repairs on hillside and beachfront properties. Our expertise lies in analyzing earth movement, slope instability, and building damage, with over 40 years of experience addressing geotechnical challenges in California. We provide forensic evaluations, distress assessments, and expert testimony, serving homeowners, developers, insurance carriers, and legal professionals. Our work involves subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and engineering analysis to determine site stability and causes of damage. We tailor solutions to client needs, offering phased evaluations and comprehensive reports suitable for regulatory submissions.With extensive experience in southern California's complex geologic environments, we address challenges from coastal developments to inland hillside projects. Our founder, Hugh S. Robertson, holds a Master of Science in Engineering Geology and is a Licensed Professional Geologist with decades of field expertise. We prioritize client collaboration, delivering proposals with clear scopes and fees before initiating projects. Our services support safe, code-compliant development and remediation strategies tailored to site-specific conditions. From earthquake-damaged properties to landslide assessments, we provide actionable insights for stabilization and repair.
Services
Site Evaluations
Distress Assessments
Forensic Explorations
Expert Testimony
Subsurface Exploration
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- 40+ years of experience in California geotechnical evaluations
- Tailored solutions for complex hillside and coastal projects
- Licensed Professional Geologist-led expert testimony services
- Comprehensive phased assessments with clear reporting
- Proven track record in earthquake and landslide damage analysis
Services
Geotechnical Evaluations
Our geotechnical evaluations assess slope stability and subsurface conditions for construction projects. We combine field observations with laboratory testing to identify risks and recommend mitigation strategies. Services support new developments and repair projects across California's diverse terrain.
Forensic Explorations
Forensic services investigate causes of structural damage from earth movement or natural disasters. We document distress patterns, perform subsurface investigations, and provide expert reports for legal and repair purposes. Our work covers residential to commercial properties.
Expert Testimony
We provide expert testimony in geotechnical litigation cases. Services include neutral evaluations, court presentations, and technical reports based on comprehensive site investigations and engineering analysis conducted over decades of practice.
Subsurface Exploration
Subsurface exploration involves test pits and borings to analyze soil and rock properties. Our geologists map subsurface conditions and perform laboratory tests to inform stability assessments and remediation designs for challenging sites.
Damage Assessments
We assess property damage from earthquakes, landslides, and soil movement. Our phased evaluations combine document review, site inspections, and technical analysis to determine causes and develop repair specifications for insurance or legal needs.
People
Hugh S. Robertson
President and Principal Geologist
Hugh S. Robertson holds a Master of Science in Engineering Geology and is a Licensed Professional Geologist with over 40 years of experience in geotechnical evaluations and forensic analysis.
Questions
What geotechnical services do you specialize in?
We specialize in site evaluations, forensic investigations, subsurface exploration, expert testimony, and damage assessments for hillside and coastal properties.
How long has your company been in business?
Robertson Geotechnical has provided geotechnical services since 1978, with our founder having over 40 years of professional experience.
Do you handle both residential and commercial projects?
Yes, we work with homeowners, developers, and commercial clients on projects ranging from single-family residences to large-scale developments.
Can you provide expert testimony services?
Our principal geologist offers expert testimony and neutral evaluation services for litigation cases involving geotechnical issues and property damage.
What areas do you serve in California?
We serve Southern California counties including Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, and San Diego, plus select projects in the San Francisco Bay Area.
