Commercial Construction Consulting with Jeff Nicholson

In this episode, Tim Fergestad sits down with Jeff Nicholson, Vice President at J.S. Held, a global consulting firm specializing in commercial construction and insurance consulting. Jeff shares how he found his way into the consulting industry after a layoff in 2010, and how J.S. Held has grown into a 3,000-person organization operating across diverse disciplines like building consulting, forensic engineering, and environmental health.

Jeff breaks down how insurance claims, appraisals, and property loss assessments really work—from copper theft and fires to complex water damage and catastrophe response. He discusses the appraisal process, the role of adjusters, and how consultants like himself become the go-to experts for insurers and legal teams.

The episode also touches on Jeff’s career progression, his certifications (including drone piloting!), and his thoughts on preparing for retirement. You’ll learn why delivering the unvarnished truth is a core value at J.S. Held and how Jeff’s on-the-ground experience gives him a unique edge in the field.

What You’ll Learn:

• What commercial construction consulting involves

• How insurance carriers rely on third-party consultants

• Real-world examples of claims—from fires to copper theft

• Why drone technology is becoming part of the job

• How Jeff prepares for retirement and financial stability

 

------------------------------------------------ Interested in being part of this? Please visit our guest invitation page where you can learn more and fill out a brief questionnaire to get started: https://phoenixprosperitypodcast.com/guest It’s going to be enlightening and, most importantly, a lot of fun. I’d love for you to be a part of it!