Construction disputes escalate quickly: defective workmanship, incomplete works, contract variations and payment disagreements can stall projects and destroy commercial relationships. Manchester Surveyors provides construction expert witness services — independent technical evidence on building defects, workmanship standards and remedial costs for litigation, adjudication and arbitration.
Disputes We Provide Evidence In
- Defective workmanship claims — whether completed works meet Building Regulations, contract specifications and good practice
- Residential building disputes — extensions, loft conversions and renovations gone wrong, including abandoned works
- New-build quality claims — systemic defects, warranty disputes and developer complaints, supported by our snagging inspection experience
- Remedial cost disputes — realistic costings where parties are far apart on the price of putting defects right
- Party wall damage claims — causation and quantum where construction works have damaged neighbouring property
How We Work
We inspect, document and test the technical claims made by each side against the contract documents and the standards applicable at the time of construction. Reports are CPR Part 35 compliant and suitable for court, adjudication under the Construction Act, or arbitration. We are equally instructed at pre-action stage, where an early independent view of defect liability and realistic remedial costs often produces settlement at a fraction of the cost of proceedings.
Why Manchester Surveyors
- RICS chartered surveyors with hands-on defect diagnosis experience from thousands of Level 3 building surveys
- Clear, evidenced, plain-English reporting
- Nationwide coverage with fixed fees agreed in advance
Involved in a construction dispute? Contact us for a confidential initial assessment.
How Expert Witness Instructions Work
Construction instructions address defective or incomplete works, workmanship standards, cost of rectification and account disputes between employers and contractors — from domestic extensions gone wrong to commercial contract failures. Instructions usually come from solicitors, though parties can approach us directly for an initial merits view before proceedings are contemplated. We accept appointments as party-appointed expert or as single joint expert, and every report is CPR Part 35 compliant: independent, reasoned, and addressed to the court rather than the instructing party.
Format, Timescales and Fees
Reports document defects to litigation standard with photographic schedules and costed remedial scopes, supported where needed by our contract administration experience of how projects should have been run. Typical timescales run from two to six weeks depending on inspection access and documentation; urgent directions-driven deadlines can usually be accommodated. Fees are fixed at instruction, with joint statements, Part 35.6 questions and hearing attendance priced separately and transparently. Read more about what an expert witness does.
Will the expert support my case?
An expert’s duty is to the court, which is precisely why credible expert evidence settles cases: if your position is strong, an independent report proves it; if it is weak, you find out before spending heavily on litigation. Either answer is worth having early. Call 020 4579 8270 to discuss an instruction.