Sherlock Homes Inspectors
Expert Witness Statements
Call: 403-404-1514
Have you received poor service or sub-standard workmanship from a contractor? Our tailored expert witness services provide the professional support you need to resolve your legal dispute.
Resolving Contractor Disputes
Before taking legal action, always try to resolve issues directly with your contractor. Aim for a mutually satisfactory resolution first. You should only consider legal action as a last resort.
Professional Court Statements & Support
If direct discussions fail and you choose to file a lawsuit, we can help. Our team provides authoritative expert witness services, including detailed written statements and formal court attendance.
We have successfully supported cases for the prosecution across Calgary and the United Kingdom. Additionally, we can connect you with trusted solicitors and barristers from our previous cases to strengthen your legal team.
The $65,000.00 Hole: Case study 1
A client who lived in Toronto contacted me and asked if I would check out a property he had purchased in Calgary NW.
He had concerns that he’d hired contractors to develop a basement for him, paid them $45,000 upfront, 4 weeks went by and he’d had no update & they were not answering their phone.
When I arrived on site, this was the state of things. The door, according to the drawing was in the wrong place, the tenant in the flat above said, the guys dug the hole and she’d not seen them since.
Needless to say, my client was none-too-pleased when he received this photo.
Expert Witness Statment for Defective Construction
We provided our client with a report which included digital images and detailed all the points that were not as per the blueprints issued and approved by the City of Calgary.
Unfortunately, our client paid the contractors a further $20,000 making the total now $65,000.00
Resolution & Outcome
Our client did pursue the builders and whilst the case did not reach court, armed with our findings and report, our client managed to recoup $25,000.00.
After receiving this payment, the builders then left the province of Alberta and returned to Ontario.
Sub-Standard Building Work: Case Study 2
We provided a professional expert witness statement to help a couple in Calgary NW who experienced major issues with their home renovation. They had engaged a local contractor to undertake a large project spanning their kitchen, lounge, and bathroom. However, as the project progressed, the couple became increasingly concerned because the standard of work was exceptionally poor.
Independent Inspection for Defective Construction
Seeking help, the homeowners reached out to Service Alberta’s consumer services department. A building superintendent subsequently attended the site to formally assess the contractor’s work. The inspector officially agreed that the construction was entirely sub-standard. Furthermore, he identified parts of the gas installation that were completely illegal.
Unfortunately, provincial consumer services had limited enforcement power in this specific scenario. The inspector could only write a formal warning letter to the contractor, advising them that future infractions could lead to prosecution.
Legal Resolution and Out-of-Court Settlement
Because the regulatory warning offered no immediate remedy, the homeowners decided to take legal action. To support their lawsuit against the builder, our team provided a comprehensive Expert Witness Statement. We also collated detailed photographic evidence documenting every single construction defect on site.
While the legal claim was moving forward, a reputable contractor safely rectified all the defective construction work. Ultimately, the case achieved a successful result and was settled out of court, securing a resolution for the clients.
Defective Deck Construction: Case Study 3
A homeowner reached out to our team seeking legal support after experiencing major structural issues with a newly built residential deck. The client had hired a local carpenter in High River to complete the installation. However, despite being charged a significant sum of $12,000.00 for the project, the final build quality was exceptionally poor and unsafe.
Expert Witness Statement for a High River Deck Builder
To help the homeowner pursue legal action, we conducted a thorough inspection of the deck’s structure. Following our assessment, we provided a comprehensive expert witness statement detailing the substandard workmanship, structural deficiencies, and safety violations committed by the contractor.
Courtroom Testimony and Successful Legal Outcome
Armed with our formal expert witness report, the client filed a lawsuit to sue the carpenter for the defective construction. Our Inspector, Gary Rose, subsequently attended the court hearing to deliver professional, live expert testimony before the judge.
Consequently, the homeowner won the legal case. The court ruled in our client’s favour, and they were fully compensated for the financial damages and the cost of the substandard build.
$264,000.00 Project
Case: 4
Contacted by a client in Okotoks who had hired contractors to install a kitchen, wood-floors, replace doors and dressing room fittings in bedrooms, also bathroom work too.
He used contractors who had been recommended to him as he worked away up north and wanted people he could trust as his wife worked from home.
Upon my clients return, after 8 weeks away. he was appalled at the standard of workmanship. By this time, the contractors had been paid $147,000.00!!
I prepared reports complete with photographs and a lawsuit was filed for $264,000.00. I attended the central court in Calgary on 3 occasions.
Result: Won the case – compensated.
Home Inspector Lawsuit
Case: 5
I was contacted by a client and asked for a meeting regarding a property they had purchased. They had reservations about the Home Inspector who completed the inspection and now felt they had purchased a money-pit!
I agreed to a meeting, saw the issues and from my experience I could see this was going to be huge, and costs to rectify would run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. My client then announced that she was a Barrister and wished to pursue a claim. I provided a Witness Statement which included photographic evidence.
The final claim against the inspector was in the region of $772,000.00!! After the case, it was then discovered that the Home Inspector had 3 previous high cost claims against him!!
Result: Inspectors insurance company settled out of court.
11 Month Warranty Inspection
Case: 6
This Expert Witness Statement was prepared for our clients, following a request for an 11 month Home Warranty inspection in their brand new, $1.5 million dollar home. Incredibly, this was a new build property and the builders – whilst still onsite and despite numerous requests, didn’t see this as ‘their’ problem.
My clients had tolerated this for 11 months!! Main contractor argued:
“The plumber that was fitting these bathrooms is no longer on site, and has now been fired?!” AND?
Obviously, this was unacceptable. With our help and support, our clients started legal proceedings against the builder. Word soon spread throughout the site and it soon became a group action lawsuit, involving other homeowners due to the level of sub-standard work. The case was settled out of court due to the overwhelming evidence.
My clients finally got to close the bathroom door, 18 months after they moved into their new $1.5 million dollar, property! 
The is a small selection of the cases, whereby we have been asked to compile comprehensive reports in order to assist our clients claim compensation – both in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Click the link below, (Home Inspection Horrors) to view images from a few of the cases.
Areas We Serve:
As a proud local provider, we deliver top-tier, comprehensive Home Inspection Services across the greater Calgary region and surrounding Southern Alberta communities. Our fully mobile team travels directly to your property, bringing years of trusted expertise and reliable, detailed reporting to home buyers, sellers, and real estate agents throughout the YYC area. From urban neighbuorhoods to rural counties, we are dedicated to protecting your investment with prompt response times and exceptional attention to detail. See our comprehensive list of served areas below to find your community: