Construction Expert
Witness in Utah
I'm based in Utah and licensed here as a general contractor, which means I bring both local market knowledge and direct field experience to Utah construction disputes. Whether your case is in Salt Lake County, Utah County, or elsewhere in the state, I'm available for site inspections, depositions, and trial on short notice.
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Based in Utah. Built Here.
Utah's Wasatch Front has seen sustained construction growth for over a decade, with residential, commercial, and institutional projects across Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and the surrounding metro areas. That growth has generated a consistent volume of construction disputes, particularly HOA defect claims, contractor-subcontractor payment disputes, and delay claims arising from rapid development timelines and municipal permitting backlogs.
I've worked on $3B+ in complex commercial construction projects, including healthcare facilities, multi-family residential, commercial development, and institutional projects, all project types common in the Utah market. Being based here means I understand the local subcontractor market, the typical municipal inspection process, and the soil and climate conditions that affect construction disputes on the Wasatch Front.
Rapid growth in Utah County, including Lehi, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Spanish Fork, and the broader area, has created a high volume of residential construction disputes involving new-home defects, HOA common area failures, and soil settlement claims. I work on both plaintiff and defense sides of these matters.
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center
Primary Children's Medical Center
American Fork Hospital
Lehi Police Building
Post District
Construction Litigation in Utah
Key statutes, frameworks, and local conditions that shape construction disputes in Utah, and where expert testimony matters most.
Statute of Limitations and Repose
Written contract claims carry a 6-year statute of limitations (Utah Code § 78B-2-309). Oral contracts: 4 years. The statute of repose for improvements to real property is 6 years from completion (Utah Code § 78B-2-225). The interaction between discovery rule tolling and the repose period is frequently litigated in Utah defect cases.
Utah Residence Lien Restriction and Lien Recovery Fund Act
Utah Code § 38-11-101 et seq. limits mechanics' lien rights on owner-occupied residential property and establishes a state recovery fund for homeowners with unpaid-for-work claims. Disputes about whether work was performed, whether it conforms to contract, and what it would cost to complete or repair require construction expert analysis.
Utah Mechanics' Lien Law: Commercial
Utah Code § 38-1a-101 et seq.: subcontractors and suppliers must file a 180-day preliminary notice as a condition of lien rights. Lien must be recorded within 90 days of project completion or last date of work. Disputes about what constitutes "completion," preliminary notice timing, and lien amount validity benefit from construction expert testimony.
Wasatch Front Growth and Permitting
The rapid pace of residential development has strained municipal inspection resources and created conditions where construction quality disputes are more common. Fast-moving projects in high-growth areas, particularly Utah County, have generated defect claims involving waterproofing failures, framing defects, and foundation issues related to expansive soils and inconsistent fill.
Soil Conditions
Utah's Wasatch Front includes areas with expansive soils, liquefiable zones near the Jordan River and Utah Lake, and fill conditions in rapidly developed areas. Foundation settlement, differential movement, and drainage-related defect claims are common. Expert analysis must address both construction practice and the geotechnical context.
Courts
Utah state District Courts by county: Salt Lake County Third District, Utah County Fourth District, and others statewide. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah in Salt Lake City. Many commercial construction disputes are resolved through AAA or JAMS arbitration.
Common Construction Disputes in Utah
The types of cases I'm regularly engaged on across the Wasatch Front and statewide.
Wasatch Front Residential Defect Claims
New residential construction defect claims are common throughout the Wasatch Front, particularly in rapidly developed areas in Utah County. Common issues: waterproofing at rooflines and penetrations, framing defects, HVAC system failures, and foundation movement related to soil conditions.
HOA and Condominium Defect Litigation
Utah's growing condominium and townhome market has generated HOA defect claims involving common area envelope failures, waterproofing defects, and structural issues. These cases often involve multiple subcontractors, extended latency periods for defect discovery, and disputes about allocation of responsibility between developer, general contractor, and subcontractors.
Soil Settlement and Foundation Disputes
Expansive and fill soil conditions throughout the Wasatch Front create foundation and slab movement that generates significant defect litigation. Whether movement was caused by defective construction, inadequate geotechnical recommendations, or conditions that should have been anticipated is a fact-specific question requiring expert analysis.
Commercial Contractor-Subcontractor Disputes
Commercial and institutional construction disputes in Utah typically involve subcontractor payment claims, change order disputes, delay and acceleration claims, and termination-related damages. I work on both sides of these matters.
Municipal and Public Owner Construction
Utah has a substantial public construction market: universities, schools, state facilities, and municipal projects. Public owner disputes often involve claims processes under the Utah Procurement Code and contract-specific dispute resolution procedures.
Expert Witness Services in Utah
Based in Utah. Available statewide. Responsive to your timeline.
Construction Defect Analysis
Site inspections and defect analysis across the Wasatch Front and statewide, with direct familiarity with Utah's soil conditions, climate, and local construction practices. Available for rapid response on Utah cases.
Learn More →Construction Claims Consulting
Claims evaluation and damages quantification for Utah commercial, residential, and public owner disputes. Available for mediation support and settlement negotiations. Based locally for efficient engagement.
Learn More →Construction Delay Analysis
CPM schedule analysis for Utah projects, including delay issues created by Utah County's municipal permitting process, weather, and subcontractor availability in a tight local market.
Learn More →Frequently Asked Questions: Utah Construction Expert Witness
Qualifications
Based in Utah. Licensed here.
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Licensed General Contractor: Utah #348968-5501 (B100 & E100) Home state license, issued by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Also licensed: AK #192126 · ID #RCE-56717 · NV #75532
- B.S. Civil Engineering: Brigham Young University (BYU, Provo, UT)
- PSP: Planning and Scheduling Professional
- CCP: Certified Cost Professional
- CCM: Certified Construction Manager
- FMPC: FenestrationMaster Professional Certification
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