Professional Engineering Affidavit Draft

What a good one includes

• A clear identification of the engineer, including active license numbers, certifying jurisdictions, and area of expertise.
• A highly specific definition of the scope of work, detailing the exact dates, physical locations, and boundaries of the inspection.
• A direct reference to the specific engineering codes, municipal regulations, or industry standards used to evaluate the findings.
• An explicit statement of professional opinion formulated to the industry standard of reasonable engineering certainty.
• A clear liability disclaimer stating that the findings apply exclusively to the conditions observed at the time of the inspection.
• A formal notary public jurat block formatted to satisfy local legal requirements for sworn written statements.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using vague or overly broad language that inadvertently expands the engineer's liability beyond the actual work performed.
• Omitting the specific license details or state-level regulatory board terminology required to make the document legally binding.
• Failing to document the exact site conditions and dates of observation, leaving the conclusions open to timeline disputes.
• Including speculative guesses or subjective opinions instead of sticking strictly to verifiable technical data and physical evidence.

Frequently asked questions