Pario Quantify – Specialty Spotlight Series

Ask anyone on Vancouver Island who’s worked a major property loss, and they likely know Derek Firth. As a Senior National Property Specialist with Pario Quantify’s Specialty Division, Derek is recognized for his precision, intuition, and hard-earned field experience from years in construction.

His reputation? No shortcuts and no guesswork. Just clear, defensible answers. “My detail is second to none,” Derek says. “If something doesn’t line up, I’ll dig until it does.”

From Construction Sites to Catastrophe Claims

Derek built his foundation in the trades with over a decade of hands-on experience in commercial construction, stone masonry, and stamped concrete. He spent six years constructing cell tower installations across Canada, including rooftop builds on commercial structures.

His technical grounding gave Derek a unique edge when he transitioned into estimating. When a friend introduced him to the industry, he saw an opportunity to bring real-world construction knowledge into a role that demanded precision, speed, and independence.

“It was baptism by fire,” he laughs. “Sink or swim – you either learn fast or get left behind.” Two intense years in Fort McMurray during the height of recovery solidified that mindset, sharpening his skills under pressure and his ability to handle multiple complex files daily.

The Case for Precision

One recent file, a large commercial roof dispute in Winnipeg, captures Derek’s approach perfectly. He was brought in as an independent reviewer when estimates conflicted by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Derek didn’t just walk the roof; he retraced the entire story, finding evidence that the loss occurred a year earlier than reported.

“They told me the date of loss was 2024,” he explains. “But the data, the maps, even the news reports, everything said it was 2023.” That discovery, backed by storm data and site verification, prevented a costly legal battle and resolved the claim based on facts, not assumptions.

A Reputation Built on Thoroughness

Derek’s philosophy is simple: if it’s worth including in the report, it’s worth getting right. That commitment to detail means validating damage, cross-checking hover reports, or even sourcing model-specific fixtures down to the hyperlink. “I’ll search until I find the exact match – product name, model number, photo link – so anyone reading can see it for themselves,” he says.

His diligence has made him a trusted collaborator among adjusters and contractors alike. He’s known for pairing uncompromising standards with a grounded, approachable style. “People know if I’m on a file, the work’s going to be thorough,” he says. “That’s what earns trust, and that’s what keeps people calling you back.”

Rooted in Experience, Driven by Integrity

From gas station fires to high-value condo losses, Derek’s portfolio spans millions in total rebuilds. Yet his focus is simple: do the work properly and make it stand up to scrutiny. “I’m not here to tell people what they want to hear,” he says. “I’m here to tell them what’s true, backed by evidence, photos, and clear reporting.”

Thorough, methodical, and evidence-based: that same mindset is what defines the Specialty Division’s reputation for defensible, high-quality results across Canada. Derek continues to raise the bar for clarity and accuracy on every file he touches.

Connect with Derek

Derek Firth
Senior National Property Specialist | Pario Quantify – Specialty Division
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
E: derek.firth@parioquantify.ca

About the Series

The Specialty Spotlight Series is curated by Melissa Elsliger (Sales & Marketing Lead) to explore the people, insights, and evolving trends shaping Canada’s property valuation, forensic consulting, and complex-loss landscape. 

To learn more about Pario Quantify’s Specialty Division, contact John Addison (Director – Specialty) at john.addison@parioquantify.ca or visit https://parioquantify.ca/specialty.