The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Delay Damages Expert

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Construction delays are unavoidable, considering the scale of construction projects, the number of people involved, and the variables in play. According to a report by KPMG, only 25% of construction projects are completed within 10% of the original timelines. The bigger the construction project, the higher the chance of significant delays. Large construction projects usually take about 20% longer than their expected duration to complete.

You may not find anything worrisome about projects getting delayed. However, construction delays are the worst nightmare for all parties involved because every day of delay adds to the project cost. The longer the delay, the higher the project cost goes up. This brings us to an important question. Who bears the additional cost? Well, ideally, the one responsible for the delay should. And how do you identify who’s responsible? A delay damages expert does.

If your construction project in San Diego is behind its schedule, you must hire a San Diego delay damages expert witness to identify what’s causing the delay. This will help you mitigate the cost and get compensated fairly for the damage the delay has caused you.

This post aims to help you understand the role of a delay damages expert witness and guide you in hiring the right one.

Why Hire a Delay Damages Expert Witness?

Hiring a delay damages expert witness offers a plethora of benefits for those who want to investigate the cause of delays and get compensated for delays in their construction project timelines. Let’s have a look at why you should consider hiring one.

Technical Expertise

You may try to investigate the cause of the delay on your own, but you might not reach the conclusion that an expert witness can. San Diego delay damages expert witness possesses the technical expertise to get to the bottom of construction delays. They look into every aspect of the construction process to identify what caused the delay and uncover who was responsible for causing the delay.

Unbiased Analysis

A delay damages expert doesn’t have any personal stake in the process. They investigate thoroughly and provide an unbiased analysis of the cause of construction delays and who is at fault.

Credible Testimony

Delay damage expert witnesses provide credible testimony in court to support the party that had to bear the cost of delay damages due to the fault of another party. Their testimony is a powerful tool in legal proceedings following construction delays. The report they prepare itself is powerful and credible evidence in court.

A Guide to Hiring the Right Delay Damages Expert Witness

Here’s your guide to hiring the right delay damages expert witness.

Identify Your Needs

Before you hire a delay damages expert witness, identify the reason for the delay. Was it due to the contractor, supply delays, labor shortages, or design changes? This will help you shortlist professionals with relevant experience.

Look for Qualified Professionals

Never hire the first delay damages expert witness you come across. It would be best if you did your homework to ensure you’re hiring a reliable and credible professional. Look for someone who has credible associations like the CMAA (Construction Management Association of America) or ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers).

Hire Professionals with Relevant Experience and Credentials

Experience matters a lot when it comes to disputes regarding construction delays. Therefore, when hiring a delay damages expert, look for someone with prior experience handling similar cases. They should have experience in similar construction projects. Also, look for experts with relevant certifications and degrees so that you can rest assured that the professional will have adequate knowledge about the nature of the work they do.

Conduct Interviews

Conduct interviews with at least three experts who have experience in delay damage disputes. Ask them questions about their experiences and challenging cases they worked on in the past. Ask for the names of clients they have worked for. This would help you evaluate if they truly are experts in the field and whether you can trust them with your case.

Evaluate Their Communication Skills

A delay damages expert should have excellent communication skills. If their communication skills are poor, they may be unable to communicate their findings efficiently and may not be as receptive to your concerns as they should be.

As explained earlier, delays in the construction industry are inevitable. The fate of your delay damages case lies in the hands of a delay damages expert witness. If you end up hiring the wrong one, you’ll suffer more loss than benefit. Don’t rush the process of hiring an expert witness. Take your time, do your homework, and hire someone you feel confident about.

If you’re concerned about the delay damages, get in touch with HPM Consultants for their expert witness services. With more than 15 years of experience, the company offers cutting-edge delay analysis solutions and ensures you get fairly compensated for the delay damages you’ve suffered.

About the Author

This blog's author is a credible professional who has been in the construction industry for nearly two decades. As a certified delay damages expert witness, the author has helped clients across the world navigate the financial and legal challenges associated with construction delays. The author’s experience and expertise are reflected in their work, making them a reliable voice in the construction industry

The author of this post has been writing for the official website of Wembley Solicitors for a decade. He offers legal solutions to his clients for issues related to family law.