Cost of Repair
Expert Witness
Repair cost disputes come down to one question: what does it actually take to fix this? As a licensed general contractor in four states, I know what remediation work costs in the real market, not what a software database says, and not what either side wishes it were. My repair cost opinions are grounded in scope analysis, actual pricing, and 20+ years of field experience.
Discuss Your Case →What Is a Cost of Repair Analysis?
A cost of repair analysis establishes the reasonable and necessary cost to remediate a construction defect or damage: what the repair should cost if done properly, at current market rates, with an appropriate scope of work.
In defect cases, the damages are typically measured by the cost to repair: what it takes to bring the construction into conformance with the contract, the applicable code, and the accepted standard of care. That figure needs to be derived from a detailed scope analysis and actual pricing, not a number pulled from estimating software without review.
As a licensed general contractor who has personally bid, managed, and inspected remediation work, I bring a ground-level understanding of what repairs actually cost. That background makes a difference when opposing counsel challenges the opinion at deposition or in front of an arbitrator.
How I Develop a Cost of Repair Opinion
Repair cost opinions that hold up at trial start with a documented scope and end with defensible pricing.
Site Inspection & Scope Definition
A physical inspection of the defect is the starting point. I document the condition, the extent of damage, and what needs to be done to properly correct it. The scope of repair has to be grounded in what is actually there, not what the plaintiff claims or the defendant denies.
Document Review
I review the original contract, plans, specifications, inspection records, and any prior repair estimates or invoices. Understanding what was originally specified and what was actually installed is essential to defining the correct repair scope.
Pricing & Reasonableness Analysis
I develop a repair cost estimate using actual market pricing: subcontractor rates, material costs, and labor burden rates, material costs, and labor burden current to the relevant market. Where repair bids are already available, I evaluate whether they are reasonable in scope and price.
Expert Report & Testimony
Written report documenting the repair scope, methodology, pricing basis, and opinions on reasonableness and necessity. Structured for disclosure in state or federal court and to support deposition and trial testimony.
Why a Licensed GC Makes the Difference
Repair cost opinions are only as credible as the person giving them. An expert who has never managed a remediation project is working from theory.
Real Market Pricing Knowledge
I have personally bid remediation work, negotiated subcontractor pricing, and managed repair projects from scope definition to completion. I know what these trades actually charge, and when an estimate is padded or when it is artificially low.
Scope Accuracy
The most common error in repair cost opinions is a misidentified scope, claiming more repair than the defect requires, or less than what is actually needed to make it right. Field experience helps identify both overreaching and under-scoping quickly.
Multi-State Licensing
Licensed GC in Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Regional construction market knowledge matters when pricing repair work: labor rates, material costs, and subcontractor availability vary significantly across markets.
Credibility Under Cross-Examination
An opposing attorney cannot effectively challenge a repair cost opinion from someone who has personally done the work. The CCP certification adds a formal cost engineering credential to the field experience, making the methodology harder to attack on either front.
Credentials & Qualifications
Licensed general contractor in four states, with CCP certification and 20+ years of hands-on project management experience.
- B.S. Civil Engineering: Brigham Young University
- CCP: Certified Cost Professional (AACE International)
- PSP: Planning and Scheduling Professional (AACE International)
- CCM: Certified Construction Manager (CMAA)
- FMPC: FenestrationMaster Professional Certification
- Licensed General Contractor: B100 & E100AK · ID · NV · UT
Frequently Asked Questions
A cost of repair opinion is an expert's calculation of the reasonable and necessary cost to remediate a construction defect or damage. The opinion addresses what needs to be repaired or replaced, what that work will cost at current market rates, and whether the proposed repair scope is appropriate given the nature of the defect. Courts use this opinion to determine the damages owed when a contractor or property owner has caused harm that needs to be fixed.
A licensed GC has direct experience estimating, bidding, and managing the type of work being repaired. They know what contractors actually charge for remediation work, what subcontractors cost in a given region, and whether a proposed repair scope is realistic or inflated. An expert who hasn't managed construction has to rely entirely on reference databases, which often don't capture regional pricing, site complexity, or the true cost of disturbing existing work.
Yes, and this is one of the most common uses of a cost of repair expert on the defense side. Opposing estimates are evaluated for scope errors (claiming work beyond what was damaged), pricing errors (applying premium rates where standard rates apply), or methodology errors (using software defaults instead of actual subcontractor bids). An expert with field experience can identify these issues on paper and explain them clearly to a judge or arbitrator.
Yes. Cost of repair opinions are used in both litigation and insurance coverage disputes. When an insurer and policyholder disagree on the cost to repair storm damage, flood damage, or contractor damage, an independent expert opinion provides a documented, defensible basis for appraisal or mediation.
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