The qualification of expert witnesses was determined in law by a test established in the case of Daubert v. Merrilll Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. 113 S. Ct. 2786 (1993). In that case, the Supreme Court held that judges should look at the following factors in deciding whether to recognize an expert witness as having specialized knowledge:

1) Whether the methodology or techniques used by the expert can be tested2) Whether the methodology or techniques have been subjected to peer review and publication3) The known or potential rate of error of the method used4) The degree of the method's acceptance within the scientific or professional community.

Judged by these criteria, NWFACP inspectors are those most likely to be considered expert witnesses. The NWFA Professional Code of Conduct requires that NWFA Certified Flooring Inspectors draw their conclusions based upon testing, observation and related industry standards (for our industry, the Installation Guidelines and Sand & Finish Guidelines are the standards). 

Certified Inspector

Ken Tran is an NWFACP Certified Inspector and CEO of AAA Hardwood Floors Inc. He has conducted flooring installation and inspections since 2004.

Experienced Flooring Experts

Expert Witness

Experienced Flooring Expert

Meet Our Inspector

iNstallation Experience

As much as we try to avoid it, at some point most of us will end up in a legal dispute with a customer, whether a homeowner or a builder, over one of our wood floors. When it gets to that point, you can't afford to make any mistakes in representing your company the best you can. A crucial step in that defense is hiring the right wood flooring inspector and making sure that inspector is one who will hold up in court as an expert witness.

While it is true that many of those involved in the construction industry may have accumulated years of experience in various aspects of building and safety, from architecture and design to carpentry and project management, these same individuals, without the formal training of their representative body, cannot legally render expert opinions in court. The on-the-job experience may be only tangentially related to hardwood flooring and the concerns presented when a claim for negligent installation or worse is made. In the wood flooring industry, the specific and focused training required by the National Wood Flooring Association Certified Professionals to obtain certification is the most appropriate and industry-recognized certification as considered by trial attorneys and the courts.