Practice
Home inspector expert witness: Ohio-licensed, nationwide cases
Shaun Atkinson offers consulting and expert witness services on residential home inspection practice, including what the Ohio Standards of Practice (OAC 1301:17-1-17) require an inspector to observe and report.
Available for consulting and expert testimony in matters nationwide, subject to each jurisdiction's rules. Shaun is licensed only in Ohio.
Available to travel for site visits, depositions and trial. Record and file review can be done remotely. Outside Ohio, site visits are limited to observing and documenting conditions for the case; they are not licensed home inspections.
Home inspection expert witness: buyer and seller disputes
- Conditions a buyer says should have been found or reported at the inspection.
- Seller disclosure disputes where the inspection report is evidence.
- Scope questions: what a home inspection does and does not cover, report wording, limitations and exclusions.
Home inspector standard of care
- For Ohio properties: what OAC 1301:17-1-17 required the inspector to observe and report.
- For properties in other states: the standard of practice that applies in that jurisdiction, as identified in the record.
- The pre-inspection agreement and the report as delivered.
- Where the agreement references them, the InterNACHI or ASHI standards of practice.
Services
- Record review: inspection report, agreement, photos, repair records, disclosures.
- Standard-of-care analysis against the applicable home inspection standard of practice.
- Site visit to the property, when access is available.
- Written reports and opinions.
- Deposition and trial testimony.
How retention works
Before accepting any engagement, we run a conflict check. We won't take a matter involving a property we inspected, a party we have worked for, or a case where we have a financial interest, unless every side is told in writing and agrees, and only where that's permitted.
- Conflict check – send parties, counsel and property address.
- Engagement agreement – scope, schedule and terms in writing.
- Retainer – a retainer may be required before work begins.
- Record review and, if needed, a site visit.
- Report on request.
- Testimony – deposition and trial.
Expert services are billed hourly or at a flat rate under a written engagement agreement. A retainer may be required before work begins. Fees are owed regardless of the outcome of the case and are never contingent on the result. Testimony, deposition, and travel time are billed as stated in the agreement.
We treat materials you share as confidential and use them only for the engagement, except as required by law or court order. Intake form submissions pass through a third-party form service (see Privacy). Please don't send documents through the form; after the conflict check we'll arrange how to share them.
Rates and CV on request.
Scope and independence
Opinions are based on the evidence available and on professional standards. We make no promise about any opinion, outcome, award, or settlement, and opinions are not shaped to favor whoever retains us.
Our opinions are limited to home inspection practice and published housing-quality standards. We don't provide engineering, code-compliance, appraisal, or legal opinions. Where those are needed, you should retain the appropriate licensed professional.
Whether any witness qualifies as an expert is decided by the court (Ohio Evid. R. 702 / Fed. R. Evid. 702).
Attorney FAQ
What home inspection cases are reviewed?
Buyer and seller disputes after a home purchase, and claims involving a home inspector's standard of care under Ohio's home inspection standards of practice.
What standards do you review against?
The Ohio home inspection standards of practice at Ohio Adm. Code 1301:17-1-17, together with the pre-inspection agreement and the report at issue. Where the inspection agreement references them, the InterNACHI or ASHI standards of practice may also be relevant. Which standard legally applies is a question for counsel and the court.
Do you take cases outside Ohio?
Ohio licensed home inspector (OHI.2019006734). Available for consulting and expert testimony in matters nationwide, subject to each jurisdiction's rules. Shaun is licensed only in Ohio. Available to travel for site visits, depositions and trial. Record and file review can be done remotely. Outside Ohio, site visits are limited to observing and documenting conditions for the case; they are not licensed home inspections.
Do you give code-compliance or engineering opinions?
Our opinions are limited to home inspection practice and published housing-quality standards. We don't provide engineering, code-compliance, appraisal, or legal opinions. Where those are needed, you should retain the appropriate licensed professional.
How do I start?
Use the contact form or email info@homeinspectionexpertwitness.com. For a conflict check, send all parties, counsel, the property address, and the case caption if a case has been filed.
What are the rates?
Rates and CV on request.
Is a CV available?
Rates and CV on request.
Looking for an expert in another state? See the inspector directory. Shaun Atkinson operates the directory. Listed inspectors pay the same flat fee, and no one can pay for a higher ranking or featured placement.
Shaun Atkinson is not an attorney, and Home Inspection Expert Witness does not give legal advice. Please talk with a licensed attorney about your legal rights and options.