When Might You Require a Construction Expert Witness

Construction projects are complex undertakings that allow us to raise new buildings and redesign existing structures. Often, huge sums of money must change hands to allow for construction to go ahead, where projects can take many months or even years to complete. As such, there is always the chance that disputes will arise, either from the perspective of the builders or from the client.

This is where a construction expert witness may step in. These professionals are incredibly knowledgeable about construction-related disputes, where their role is to assist a court or tribunal to understand specialist information that’s integral to the case at hand. As a result of their support, a fair outcome can be reached based on the facts.



Read on to find out more about when you might require a construction expert witness to review your situation.

Construction Defects

A construction expert witness may be called in to assess a case if poor workmanship has been disputed. For instance, structural failings or the use of substandard materials could lead to a conflict, where the expert witness will be able to determine whether the completed work has indeed failed to meet strict industry standards.

Delays & Scheduling Issues

Construction projects often incur delays, where these could lead to expected costs or a loss of revenue. If the case is up for debate, then an expert witness may be called in to analyse schedules, assign responsibility, and assess whether delays were avoidable. This will help to ensure that fault is attributed to the parties that are truly responsible.

Safety Violations

Building sites are hazardous places, where the correct safety procedures must be followed at all times. If a workman experiences an injury due to unsafe practices or equipment failures, then this may need to be accredited by an expert witness. They will assess whether safety protocols were followed and if the site complied with regulatory standards, in order to consider whether negligence played a role in the accident.

Cost Overruns

Disputes may arise on a construction project if there is a significant and unexplained increase in building costs. This can alert clients to wrongdoing, where an expert witness can assist in the investigation by reviewing estimates, budgets and project changes. Their work will help the courts or tribunal heads to determine if overspending was justified, or if it was caused by mismanagement.

Simon Levy: Investigating Your Construction & Property Disputes

At Simon Levy, our construction claims experts have extensive experience in diagnosing building defects, where we can provide the Courts with depe ndable services to assist in their investigations. We’ve been a practising member of the Academy of Experts since 1996, a testament to our professionalism and expertise.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our construction expert witness services.