Instruct an Expert Witness
Independent forensic building diagnostics for housing disrepair claims. No conflict of interest — BPD does not sell remediation. Our only product is root-cause truth.
Statement of Independence
Building Pathology Diagnostics is an independent diagnostic consultancy. We do not install DPCs. We do not sell damp-proofing. We do not profit from the remediation we recommend. This independence eliminates the conflict-of-interest challenge that undermines expert evidence in cross-examination.
All credentials independently verifiable: RICS Find a Member · CIOB Find a Member
Submit Instruction
Contact us with case details, property address, and nature of the defect. We review the details and confirm the scope and written fee proposal before commissioning work.
Scope & Fee Agreement
Standard inspections do not require a routine deposit. The written fee proposal confirms payment stages and when payment is due before you instruct us. We coordinate site access directly with the occupier or managing agent.
Forensic Site Inspection
On-site investigation: Protimeter moisture mapping, FLIR thermal imaging, visual defect survey, and photographic evidence plates.
Written Report Delivered
Independent investigation of building defects, with findings, supporting evidence and limitations explained in a written report. The inspection methods and deliverables are agreed in your scope of work. Root cause analysis, HHSRS classification and a remediation schedule are included where agreed. CPR Part 35 expert witness reports are a separate instruction. The agreed scope identifies the issues, applicable procedural requirements and reporting timetable. The expert's duty is to the court; permission to rely on expert evidence is a matter for the court.
Standard Building Defect / Root Cause Investigation
Ideal for: Pre-litigation diagnostics, single-property reports, evidence-base building
- — On-site forensic inspection (Protimeter + FLIR thermal imaging)
- — Clinical Root Cause Analysis tracing physical causation
- — HHSRS Category 1/2 hazard classification
- — Prescribed remediation schedule referencing BS/BRE standards
- — Comprehensive diagnostic report with photographic evidence plates
Heritage, Insurance & Complex Dispute Investigations
Ideal for: Solicitors handling leasehold disputes, complex causation and heritage matters
- — Standard defect scope plus extended forensic investigation
- — Specialist for complex causation, heritage fabric, and dispute resolution
- — CPR Part 35 aligned methodology
- — Comprehensive diagnostic report with photographic evidence plates
CPR Part 35 Expert Witness Report
Ideal for: Solicitors with live County Court or Tribunal proceedings
- — CPR Part 35 compliant expert report structure
- — Formal statement of truth and declaration of overriding duty to the court
- — Scott Schedule preparation where separately instructed
- — Single joint expert or party-appointed expert basis
- — Prepared for County Court proceedings; tribunal or arbitration requirements are identified in the agreed scope
Court / Tribunal Attendance
Ideal for: Solicitors with hearing-required or mediation matters
- — Attendance at County Court, First-tier Tribunal, or mediation
- — Pre-hearing briefing and counsel conference
- — Expert witness testimony and cross-examination support
Awaab's Law & HHSRS Alignment
Under Awaab's Law (social rented sector, England, from 27 October 2025), social landlords must investigate a significant damp or mould hazard within 10 working days of becoming aware of it, issue a written summary of findings within 3 working days of the investigation concluding, and complete the relevant safety work to make the home safe within 5 working days of the investigation concluding. Emergency hazards must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours of the landlord becoming aware of them. Longer-term preventative work must be begun, or steps taken to begin it, within 5 working days of the investigation concluding and physically started within 12 weeks; where the home cannot be made safe within the safety-work period, suitable alternative accommodation must be provided. Landlords must meet the duties and timescales that apply to their property and tenancy. BPD's agreed scope and reporting timetable do not replace those duties. BPD delivers independent forensic investigations to establish physical causation without commercial bias. CPR Part 35 expert witness reports are a separate instruction. The agreed scope identifies the issues, applicable procedural requirements and reporting timetable. The expert's duty is to the court; permission to rely on expert evidence is a matter for the court.
Defect review and formal written proposal detailing the recommended inspection brief before instruction.
Comprehensive forensic building report with moisture profiling, thermal imaging, and prescribed remediation.
Separately instructed CPR Part 35 expert report with statement of truth and overriding duty to the court; a separately agreed court timetable takes precedence.
Our Forensic Diagnostic Library documents the five most common pathology mechanisms we encounter — each with thermal imaging, moisture mapping data, HHSRS classification, and prescribed remediation to British Standards. This evidence base demonstrates the diagnostic rigour applied to every instruction.
Preliminary Scope & Fee Review
Tell us about your property and concerns. We review the reported defect details and provide a formal written scope and fee proposal before an investigation is commissioned.
Request an Investigation Scope and Fee Proposal →Building Pathology Diagnostics provides technical building pathology evidence and forensic diagnostic opinions. We do not provide legal advice. CPR Part 35 expert witness reports are a separate instruction. The agreed scope identifies the issues, applicable procedural requirements and reporting timetable. The expert's duty is to the court; permission to rely on expert evidence is a matter for the court.For legal strategy on housing disrepair claims, instruct a qualified solicitor. All fees are subject to scope confirmation; published starting fees include VAT and individually quoted fees are confirmed in writing with VAT shown. Terms of engagement are issued upon instruction. BPD's duty is to the court under CPR Part 35, not to the instructing party.