Structural expert witness report
An independent expert report on a structural dispute, written for court, arbitration or mediation.
About this service
When a building dispute reaches solicitors, the technical questions usually decide the outcome. Was the beam undersized? Did the excavation next door cause the cracking? Was the subsidence there before the sale? An expert witness report sets out an independent engineer's opinion on those questions, in a form a judge, arbitrator or mediator can rely on. We write these reports for homeowners, landlords, builders and their legal teams on residential and mixed-use buildings across London.
The key word is independent. In court proceedings in England and Wales, an expert's overriding duty is to the court, not to the person paying the fee. That means our report will say what the evidence shows, even where it does not suit the instructing party. Solicitors value this, because a report that reads as one-sided tends to be picked apart in cross-examination and can damage the wider case.
Typical disputes we see include cracking after a neighbour's basement or rear extension, defective steelwork left by a builder, disputed subsidence claims and arguments over who should pay for remedial work. In many cases an early, frank expert view helps the parties settle before trial. If the dispute is at an earlier stage and you simply need to understand the damage, a structural movement investigation may be a more proportionate first step.
When you need it
- You're in a dispute over building defects, damage or workmanship
- Your solicitor needs an independent structural expert
- A claim involves subsidence, collapse or design errors
What's included
- Review of the case documents
- Site inspection
- Independent opinion on the technical issues
- Report prepared to the relevant court rules
How it works
- Review the case papersOnce we have cleared conflicts and confirmed a fixed fee, we read the pleadings, contracts, drawings, calculations, photographs and any previous reports, and build a timeline of events. This tells us what needs checking on site and what evidence is missing.
- Inspect the propertyWe carry out a site inspection, recording cracks, levels, construction details and workmanship with photographs and measurements. Where both sides agree, we can attend jointly with the other party's expert.
- Write the reportWe set out the facts, our reasoning and our opinion on each issue, clearly separating what we observed from what we infer. The report includes the declarations and statement of truth the court rules require.
- Follow-up and meetingsWe answer written questions from the other side, attend experts' meetings to narrow the issues and prepare a joint statement. If the case goes to a hearing, we can give oral evidence.
What you receive
Party-appointed expert or single joint expert?
Courts often prefer a single joint expert on smaller claims, instructed by both parties together, to keep costs proportionate. In larger or more contested cases each side may appoint its own expert. If you only need advice to help your solicitor assess the strength of a claim, and it will not be shown to the court, that is a different role, usually called an advisory or shadow expert. Agree with your solicitor which role you need before instructing us.
Timing matters. Evidence disappears as repairs are carried out, so an early inspection is often worth more than a long report later. If urgent making-safe work is needed, we can record the condition first. Where the dispute arose from works next door, our party wall guide explains how the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 deals with damage, which can sometimes resolve matters without going to court at all.
Frequently asked questions
What does a structural expert witness do?
A structural expert witness gives an independent technical opinion on engineering questions in a legal dispute, such as the cause of cracking, whether a design was adequate or whether workmanship met an acceptable standard. The expert reviews documents, inspects the building and writes a report for the court. Their duty is to help the court on technical matters within their expertise, and that duty overrides any obligation to the party paying them.
How much does a structural expert witness report cost?
Our structural expert witness reports start from £2,000 + VAT. The final fee depends on the volume of documents, the number of issues, the size of the property and whether meetings or attendance at a hearing are needed. We confirm a fixed fee in writing for each agreed stage before any work starts, so your solicitor can budget and report costs accurately.
Can a structural engineer's report be used in a small claims case?
Yes. In the small claims track the court can allow expert evidence where it is needed, though it will keep costs proportionate and may limit what is recoverable. A short, focused report on the key technical question is often enough. Ask the court or your adviser before commissioning a full report, and tell us the track so we can scope the work sensibly.
Can my own engineer act as an expert witness?
Sometimes, but it can weaken their evidence. If the engineer designed the works in dispute, they may be seen as defending their own decisions rather than giving an independent view. An expert who has had no previous involvement in the project is usually more persuasive. We always check for conflicts before accepting an instruction and will tell you if we are not the right choice.