The use of stone and tile in the world has increased dramatically in the past ten years. Everywhere you look marble, granite, terrazzo, ceramic tile and a plethora of other materials are being used.
With these installations, problems arise that can lead not only to failure of the stone and tile but to lawsuits, insurance claims, owner contractor disputes, and other inconveniences. Experts in tile and stone are now in demand to offer their expert opinion and help settle these issues. An expert witness in a lawsuit can earn up to $400 per hour with the average being around $200 per hour. The following are some brief tips on how to enter this lucrative field:
-Get certified. Certification is essential to qualify as an expert. Not only in a court of law but also insurance adjusters, architects, engineers etc, are looking for qualifications that will set you apart from others. For training see www.thestoneandtileschool.com
-Prepare a comprehensive CV (Curriculum Vitae). This is a list of your resume and experience. A properly prepared CV can get you more work than you can handle.
-Do a self-check. What does it take to be an expert? There are six basic traits that all experts must have. They are: Knowledge, Confidence, Time, Patience, Speaking Ability and Calm.
-Market and promote yourself. You can't get consulting and expert witness work unless you let your potential clients know you are available. There are many ways to achieve this. Getting published is one key marketing avenue. Another way is to advertise on the web in many of the expert witness directories.
-Learn how to construct a report. This is especially important if you are appearing as an expert witness. As an expert, your report is going to be torn apart by attorneys word by word. There are certain words you should never use in a report: "always," "never," are only two of them.
-The engagement letter: this is the letter and/or contract you will need to present to your client which will spell out what service you will be offering as well as how and when you will get paid.
-Inspection and Investigation techniques: if you have ever seen the TV show CSI, you will notice all the tools and tests they use. The stone and tile inspector also needs to be aware of all the tests and investigative techniques. You need to be familiar with tests such as petrographic analysis, sounding, thermography, EMS, and so on.
-Legal terms: Not only do you need to know the terms used in the stone and tile industry but you also need to be familiar with legal terms such as interrogatories, deposition, or discovery, and what these procedures mean.
Knowledge is key to survival in any industry. Learn from one of the stone industry's top consultants, as Dr. Fred Hueston offers a Certified Stone and Tile Inspection Class this November 1-5 in Debary, Florida. For further info contact Dr. Fred at 321-514-6845 or email him at fhueston@stoneforensics.com or visit www.stoneforensics.com
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