Mark Siegwald Highlights Why Restoring Existing Buildings Requires More Than Following the Original Plan

MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESS Newswire / October 29, 2026 /Mark Siegwald, Senior Consultant at Bower Group and an experienced professional in property damage, restoration, and construction consulting, is highlighting the importance of flexibility and informed decision-making when restoring existing commercial buildings. With more than 24 years of industry experience, Siegwald explains why restoration projects frequently require adjustments as previously concealed conditions, older repairs, and operational requirements become apparent during construction.

Unlike new construction, restoration projects begin with a building that already has a history. Commercial properties may have undergone decades of renovations, equipment replacements, repairs, and changes in use. While original drawings, maintenance records, and preliminary assessments provide valuable information, they may not fully reflect the building 's current condition.

"One of the things I 've learned from working with existing buildings is that you don 't always know the full story when a project begins, " said Siegwald. "You can review the plans, inspect the damage, and develop a reasonable scope of work, but there may still be conditions that only become visible once construction starts. The important thing is understanding what you 've found before deciding what needs to happen next. "

Existing Buildings Can Reveal Unexpected Conditions

Commercial restoration projects often involve removing damaged walls, ceilings, flooring, and other building materials. As previously concealed areas become accessible, contractors may discover older repairs, undocumented modifications, or construction details that differ from the available drawings.

These discoveries can affect how the planned restoration work proceeds. In some cases, they may require further investigation or changes to the construction approach. In others, the conditions may have little or no effect on the approved work.

Siegwald cautions against assuming that every unexpected discovery represents poor planning or an error by the project team.

"There 's a difference between something that should have been identified earlier and something that couldn 't reasonably have been seen until the area was opened, " he explained. "Existing buildings have a way of revealing information as the work progresses. I think it 's important to understand that distinction before assigning responsibility or making decisions about additional work. "

He encourages project teams to document unexpected conditions, compare them with available records, and determine whether further evaluation is necessary.

Distinguishing New Damage From Pre-Existing Conditions

Another challenge in commercial restoration involves determining whether an observed condition resulted from a recent property loss or existed beforehand.

A building affected by fire, water, or another damaging event may also contain evidence of earlier repairs, deferred maintenance, or previous renovations. Understanding the difference can influence the assessment of damage and the appropriate restoration approach.

Siegwald 's insurance background, including more than a decade with Liberty Mutual, has shaped how he approaches these questions. His subsequent experience in restoration and consulting has also given him insight into the practical challenges of completing repairs in existing structures.

"When you 're evaluating property damage, you have to be careful about assumptions, " said Siegwald. "Just because you discover something during restoration doesn 't necessarily mean it was caused by the recent loss. You need to consider the physical conditions, the building 's history, and whatever documentation is available. "

He notes that facility managers, maintenance personnel, and longtime employees can sometimes provide useful information about previous repairs or recurring building issues. Their observations can help guide further investigation, although they should be considered alongside physical evidence and other available records.

Unexpected Discoveries Do Not Always Require Expanding the Scope

Siegwald also emphasizes that identifying an unexpected condition does not automatically mean authorizing additional construction work.

Restoration projects operate within defined scopes, budgets, and schedules. When something new is discovered, the project team must determine whether it affects the approved work, requires separate evaluation, or can reasonably be addressed later.

"Something can be outside the original scope and still deserve a conversation, " Siegwald said. "That doesn 't mean every discovery needs to become a change order. Sometimes the right response is to document the condition, make sure the appropriate people understand it, and determine whether it actually affects the work underway. "

He believes that clear communication is especially important when a condition is discovered shortly before it will be concealed by reconstruction.

If further evaluation is needed, addressing the question while the area remains accessible may help avoid unnecessary disruption later. However, Siegwald also recognizes that stopping work without sufficient reason can create its own costs and complications.

The objective, he explains, should be to make decisions based on the condition 's significance rather than automatically delaying construction or expanding the project.

Restoration Must Account for Ongoing Building Operations

Restoring a commercial property can become more complicated when parts of the building remain occupied or operational throughout construction.

Industrial facilities, offices, and other commercial properties may need to maintain access, equipment operation, deliveries, or employee activities while repairs are underway.

A construction sequence that looks efficient on paper may not be practical when you consider the building 's daily operations.

"On an active property, you have to remember that the construction project isn 't the only thing happening, " said Siegwald. "There may be employees who need access to certain areas, equipment that cannot easily be shut down, or operations that have to continue. Those requirements need to be understood when the work is being planned and adjusted. "

He encourages communication between contractors, project managers, facility personnel, and property owners so that operational requirements can be considered alongside construction needs.

Returning a Building to Use Requires More Than Visible Repairs

Siegwald also points to the importance of looking beyond the physical appearance of a completed restoration project.

Fresh finishes and repaired surfaces may indicate that construction is nearing completion, but commercial properties often require additional coordination before they can fully return to their intended use.

Building systems may need to be checked, outstanding work addressed, documentation completed, and temporary operational arrangements removed. The specific requirements depend on the property, the damage, and the nature of the restoration.

"A building can look finished without being completely ready for the people who use it, " Siegwald explained. "I think it 's important to consider what the owner actually needs to resume normal operations. Completing the visible repairs is part of that process, but it isn 't always the entire process. "

For Siegwald, successful restoration requires balancing the original plan with the information that becomes available as work progresses.

"You need a plan to start with, but you also need to be willing to evaluate new information, " he said. "The goal isn 't to change the scope every time something unexpected appears. It 's to understand the building, communicate what matters, and make reasonable decisions that support the work and the people who depend on the property. "

About Mark Siegwald

Mark Siegwald is a Senior Consultant at Bower Group, based in Chicago, Illinois. He has more than 24 years of experience across insurance, property damage assessment, restoration, and construction consulting.

Siegwald began his career with Kemper Insurance and spent more than a decade with Liberty Mutual before moving into restoration and consulting roles with Munters, Belfor USA, Response Team 1, and Young & Associates.

His professional experience includes commercial property losses, restoration estimates, disaster recovery, project observation, and Clerk of the Works assignments involving restoration and industrial facilities.

Siegwald holds a bachelor 's degree in General Studies from Northern Illinois University. His professional qualifications include Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Associate in Claims (AIC).

Media Contact:

https://www.marksiegwald.com/
info@marksiegwald.com

SOURCE:Mark Siegwald

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