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Pacific Crest Inspections
provides expert testimony in cases involving homes or
commercial structures. Pacific Crest
Inspections' comprehensive, diverse and direct experience in these
matters is based on years of experience in the home inspection profession
and Rick Bunzel’s service on the advisory board that created Washington
State's Home Inspector laws.
In his
leadership positions, Rick has had significant influence in creating and
maintaining NAHI's Certified Real Estate Inspector Exam, Rick has held
leadership positions with NAHI, and The Washington Home Inspectors
Legislative Advisory Group (WHILAG). WHILAG was a coalition of home
inspectors who are members of major national home inspectors’ associations,
as well as state-affiliated associations and franchises, and independent
home inspectors. The coalition was established in 2005. Members are
experienced, licensed per current Washington State Department of
Agriculture (WSDA) regulations, and are in communication with respective
associations and affiliations.
Rick has 34
years of business experience and founded his own home inspection company in
2002. Since then he has inspection thousands of homes for clients. He has
done hundreds of forensic inspections and worked with clients/ builders /
contractors to resolve the issues found. 
Support Services
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What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is a
person with special knowledge, experience, wisdom, proficiency, or
understanding in a particular subject about which to bear witness. A
person is not considered to be an Expert Witness, until they are
declared as such by a court. This is why we use the term Litigation
Consultant.
Who would need an Expert Witness?
Persons problem
solving with particular issues related to either faulty or
neglectful work done by a contractor / sub contractor, related to
the construction of a building or flawed or careless services. This
can also involve negligence or gross negligence provided by a home
inspector or real estate agent, or failure to disclose by a seller.
If I have a problem with a Builder or
Contractor what should I do?
First and foremost contact your Attorney. Then do not terminate your
contractor until advise by the attorney. Second keep an accurate
record and timetable of all correspondence and there subject matter.
Most of all hire a professional inspector to examine the work,
examine all documents, and make a written report of the findings.
What services can I expect from an Expert
Witness?
Some of the services
an litigation consultant and expert witness provides depend on the
type of case. Typically there are several types of complaints that
are of a concern to clients, they are; defects or deficiencies,
deviations from plans and specifications, punch list items not
addressed, claims of lien, delay and warranty problems. A expert can
review all of the contract documents, do a full evaluation of the
property and render an opinion with written reports, pictures,
calculate a dollar figure for cost to correct items and testify in
court. Each case must be taken individually.
How much does this cost?
Litigation Consultant
charges, are a fee per hour plus travel and related expenses.
Currently Rick Bunzel charges $125 per hour plus expenses (Travel,
Lodging, etc.), this is for non court or deposition time. Once
declared an Expert Witness or for depositions the per hour fee will
adjust to $200 per hour, plus expenses. All litigation related work
will require a retainer. The average retainer fee is $1,500 to
$2500
Litigation Consultant & Pre acceptance review
of case
Many times attorneys want to know if they have a defendable case
before the process starts. We can review the issue at hand and give
you an informed opinion as to the merit of the case. For this type
of work we require all available documents. Our fees for this type
of work will start at $600. In some instances the fee for this
service might be higher, depending on the complexity of the issues
at hand.
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