Scott Cohen — The Green Scene
Areas of Expertise: Construction Defects
Updated April 29, 2020
Owner and President, The Green Scene Landscape and Pools, License # 340258
General Contractor Class B, Pool Contractor Class C53, Landscape Contractor Class C27
Expert Witness
Cohen has provided professional forensic services as a member of the Industry Expert Program for the Contractors State License Board since 2002
Cohen's forensic services are less than 10% of his professional services, offered both to plaintiffs and defendants
Cohen has testified in trials, depositions, arbitrations, and mediations.
He has experience testifying in the following categories:
Swimming Pools and Spas: gunite construction, leaks, heaved pool shell, popped pool shell, plaster, Pebbletec, colored plaster, design configuration, plastering, plaster delaminating, beach entries, steel placement, tile work, plumbing, coping, waterproofing, water migration, drainage, concrete, heaved concrete, colored concrete, cracks in concrete, mastic joints, raised bond beams, sheer descents, laminar jets, deck jets, swimming pool covers, lighting and electrical, hydrostatic relief, permits, The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, infinity edge pools, vanishing edge pools, tile delamination, glass tiles falling off, tile installation standards, grout joints, tile expansion joints, mastic, problems with salt systems.
Landscaping and Design specifications: Plans and take-offs, computer aided design, patio sizing, setbacks, irrigation systems, sprinklers, drainage, French drains, hydro-static relief drains, grading, retaining walls, seat walls, bender board, planting, rototilling, amendment, fertilization, maintenance practice, fine-grading, low-voltage lighting, LED lighting, transformers, lighting wiring, expansive soil, clay soil, voltage drop, seeding and sod.
Ponds & Waterfalls: Ponds, waterfalls, Aquascape systems, biological filtration, stagnant water, filtration, skimmer placement, plumbing, electrical, pond maintenance, leaks, excessive splash, rock selection, liners, and underlayment.
Hardscape & Masonry: Patio sizing and placement, control joints, concrete, concrete cracks, score joints, stamped concrete finishing, colored concrete, concrete coping, cast concrete, concrete steps, footings, retaining walls, seat walls, swimming pool decking, delaminating, pop-outs, efflorescence, drainage, sheet flow, water intrusion, weep screed, pavers, stucco, pilasters, lighting, conduits, concrete counter tops, plan take-offs, accurate dimensions, decorative concrete, concrete staining, waterproofing.
Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits: fire pits, gas plumbing, smoke draw, outdoor fireplace construction, public safety, gas burners, burn victims
Cohen's forensic Practices Assurances:
o Cohen will formulate and articulate his opinions with truthfulness and clarity
o Cohen will provide opinions only on subjects where he is qualified and which are based on known facts that can be proven.
o Cohen will accurately track and report time and services provided
o Cohen's opinions may be subject to modification as a result of new information
o Cohen will examine all documents supplied by client in a timely manner.
o Cohen will work overtime if case is urgent
o Cohen is under no duty to provide opinions if given insufficient time or compensation to complete a thoughtful examination of the case
o Cohen will provide opinions that are not inevitable and may be different than the client's opinions
o Cohen will notify client immediately if conflicts of interest are revealed that may prohibit further involvement of his services
o Cohen may stop work if past due invoices are not paid
o Cohen will provide reasonable cost of project repair based on evidence provided
Landscape Designer and Garden Artisan, The Green Scene
Professional Practice 1988 — present
Design and build residential swimming pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, ponds, concrete bridges, concrete driveways, outdoor lighting, waterfalls, retaining walls, and other water features
Offers professional consultation to homeowners before, after, and during their residential construction projects nationwide
Oversees construction projects from design through installation, including selection of materials, cost estimating, and change order approval
Seminar Instructor (to Peers):· International Pool, Spa & Patio Expo, New Orleans November 2019 o Construction Defect Seminar – “Contractor Bloopers & Blunders 2019” o Builders Power Panel – 3 Successful Builders share methodology · Concrete Décor Show, Arlington, Texas October 2019 o Sizzling Outdoor Kitchens Seminar o Decorative Concrete Around Pools Seminar · North Eastern Spa and Pool Show, Atlantic City, New Jersey January 2019 o Landscaping & Swimming Pools Design and Construction o Outdoor Lighting in the Garden – safety, design, install o Design course — Interviewing and bonding with the client · International Pool, Spa & Patio Expo, Las Vegas November 2018 o Construction Defect Seminar – “Contractor Bloopers & Blunders 2018” o Concrete patio sizing and outdoor room design “Outer Space Design for Entertaining” · International Pool, Spa & Patio Expo, Florida November 2017 o Construction Defect Seminar – “Contractor Bloopers & Blunders 2017” o Landscape Lighting Design and Install · International Pool, Spa & Patio Expo, New Orleans November 2016 o Outdoor Room Design, Deck & Patio Sizing o Design the Ultimate Entertainers Backyard, Fire features, High End Pools · Concrete Décor Show, San Diego California — September 2016 o Divide & Conquer: Outdoor Room Design, Deck & Patio Sizing o Design the Ultimate Entertainers Backyard · United Aqua Group — Educational summit, Las Vegas Nevada — March 2016 o Bonding & Rapport, Qualify the Lead & Intake, Interviewing the client o Landscaping and Swimming Pools · International Pool, Spa, Patio Expo, Nevada — Nov. 2015 o Candid Contractor — Construction defect seminar swimming pools, vanishing edges o 50 Shades of Green — Environmentally friendly pool & landscape design · North Eastern Spa and Pool Show, New Jersey — Jan. 2015 o High End Swimming Pool Design o Patios, Pergolas, and Petscaping o Landscaping & Pools: A Winning Combination · Pool Spa Expo, Florida — Nov. 2014- APSP o Ignite Your Sales with Fire Features o Counter-intuitive! Design & Build your own cast concrete countertops · Concrete Décor Show, Oct. 2014 o Designer Secrets for Outdoor Room Design & Cast Concrete Barbecue Countertops o Ignite Your Sales with Fire Features · Long Beach Landscape Expo, Oct. 2014 o High End Pool Design and Construction · Atlantic City Pool and Spa Show, January 2014 o The Candid Contractor; Lessons Learned from Construction Defect Expert Witness Files of Scott Cohen o Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Feature Design and Construction o The Outdoor Room Boom · International Pool Spa Patio Expo, November 2013 o Outdoor Fireplace and Fire Feature Design Build/ Fire & Water o The Candid Contractor; Lessons Learned from Construction Defect Expert Witness Files of Scott Cohen · Concrete Décor Show, March 2013 o Designing and Building Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Features · International Pool Spa Patio Expo, November 2012 o Energize Your Sales with Landscape Lighting o Candid Contractor — learn from the mistakes of others § Concrete Décor Show, February 2012 o Bringing Fire to the People: Barbeques, Fireplaces & Outdoor Entertainment Systems
§ Aquatech Institute Society Conference, February 2012 o Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Design and Installation § Canadian Pool and Spa Expo, December 2011 o High End Swimming Pool Design and Construction § International Pool Spa Patio Expo, November 2011 o Bringing Fire to the People: Barbeques, Fireplaces & Outdoor Entertainment Systems
§ Concrete Décor Show, March 2011 o Fireplaces & Fire Features from Design to Completion o Decorative Concrete and Water o The Outdoor Room Boom § International Pool and Spa Expo, November 2010 o Selling with Attitude! Upscale Sales Roundtable o High-End Swimming Pool and Spa Design and Construction o Outdoor Kitchen Designs and Barbecue Counter Design and Build § World of Concrete, February 2010 o “Decorative Outdoor Room, Fireplace and Fire Feature Design Techniques” o “Outdoor Patio/Kitchen Design” § Aquatech Institute Society Conference, January 2010 o “High End Swimming Pool and Spa Design and Construction” o “Outdoor Room Design” § International Pool and Spa Conference, November 2008 o “Outdoor Room Boom: How to Design and Size Outdoor Rooms” o “Design and Build: The Outdoor Kitchen” Television Appearances since 1999Personable and captivating public speaking and television presence on HGTV and other networksTelevision Shows featuring Scott Cohen:§ HGTV's “Ultimate Pools” episode 3 § Reelz Channel: "OMG Backyards" § HGTV's "Cool Pools", 4 projects in 3 episodes § A&E's “Fix This Yard” § HGTV's “Landscaper's Challenge” — Homeowners choose one designer from three to design their landscape § HGTV's “Sizzling Outdoor Kitchens” — Countdown of top 10 kitchens in the United States § HGTV's “Big Splash” — Countdown of top 10 pools in the United States § HGTV's “Property Buzz” — Documentary on the latest trends in outdoor room design § HGTV's “Get Out, Way Out!” — Weekly series featuring one project from start to finish, 12 episodes § Fine Living Network's “Bodacious Outdoor Spaces”, “15 Bodacious Outdoor Kitchens”, “X-Treme Outdoor Projects”, and “15 More Bodacious Backyards” Professional Industry Recognitions:§ February 2020: Hayward Pool of the Year “Sheer Elegance” — UAG § February 2020: Award of Distinction “Raindrops” — UAG § February 2020: Award of Distinction “Classic Beauty” — UAG § February 2020: Award of Distinction “Serene Scene” — UAG § February 2020: Best of Houzz.com § February 2019: Best of Houzz.com § February 2019 Water Feature Aqua Master “Streams Come True” – UAG § February 2019 Freeform Pool Aquamaster “Love American Style” — UAG § February 2019 Renovation Aqua Master – “Infinite Possibilities” – UAG § February 2018: Best of Houzz.com § February 2018 Hayward Pool of the Year “Bridge over Bubbled Waters” § February 2017 Renovation Aqua Master – “InSpaRational” United Aqua Group § February 2016 United Aqua Group Award: “Best in Show” Zodiac pools § February 2016 “Aqua Master” — Renovations — United Aqua Group § January 2015 : United Aqua Group Award of Distinction, Zodiac Pool of The Year § December 2014: Zillow's Top 10 Digs § December 2014: Concrete Surfaces Polished Concrete Awards § February 2014: Association of Pool and Spa Professionals Award of Excellence § February 2014: Best of Houzz.com § January 2013: 4 Aquatech Society Awards of Distinction § September 2012: Aqua Choice Award Winner § July 2011: Masters of Design award winner (Pool and Spa News/Hanley Wood) § January 2011: 1st & 2nd place Decorative Concrete Council Awards for Countertops from the American Society of Concrete Contractors at the World of Concrete trade show in Las Vegas. § November 2010: Two GAVA awards in Las Vegas § 2009: silver medal in the 2009 IPPY Book Awards in the Home and Garden category § March 2009: 5 landscape design awards at the Western Pool and Spa Show. § March 2008: 7 landscape design awards at the Western Pool and Spa Show § July 2008: Masters of Design award winner (Pool and Spa News/Hanley Wood) § July 2007: Signature Pools and Outdoors Design Award § 2005: Signature Pools 1st Place Geometric Design Award § 2004: Masters of Design award winner (Pool and Spa News/Hanley Wood)
Books Authored by Scott Cohen § Poolscapes, Design & Construction of High End Pools (Schiffer Publishing, 2011) § Family Fun Backyards (Schiffer Publishing, 2013) § The Candid Contractor, Common Construction Defects (Intellectual Property Sales, 2011) § Scott Cohen's Outdoor Kitchen Design Workbook (Intellectual Property Sales, 2013) § Patio Covers, Pergolas, and Pavilions (Intellectual Property Sales, 2011) § Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits (Intellectual Property Sales, 2011) § Pool and Spa Perspectives Volumes 1-3 (Intellectual Property Sales, 2009) § Petscaping (Schiffer Publishing, 2011) § The Big Book of BBQ Plans (Intellectual Property Sales, 2010) Books featuring Scott Cohen's work:§ Picture Perfect Pools § Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens § Outdoor Kitchens by Better Homes and Gardens § Outdoor Kitchens and Fireplaces by Tina Skinner § Sunset Ideas For Great Patios and Decks | §
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Employment History | |
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| 1995 — Present | President and Supervising Designer |
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| 1989 — 1995 | Vice President and General Manager |
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| 1984 — 1988 | Regional Manager, Lawn and Garden Division Target Stores, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties |
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Education | |
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| 1988 — 1990 | College of the Canyons Ceramics Major
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| 1980 — 1984
2014 — 2017 | Birmingham High School
SEAK Expert Witness Training — The Master's Program
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| Professional Organizations |
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| Forensic Expert Witness Association – Los Angeles (FEWA) Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) – Certified Building Professional California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA) Tile Council North America (TCNA) |
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| National Plasterers Council (NPC) |
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| United Aqua Group (UAG) |
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References | |
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| Brian C. Plante, Esq. 18100 Von Karman Ave., Suite 790 Irvine, CA 92612 P — (949) 271-8700
Steven Babitsky, Esq. President and Founder SEAK, Expert Witness Training Company 316 Gifford Street Falmouth, MA 02540 Frank Pagliaro, Esq. James Felton, Esq.
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Rate Schedule
Construction Defect Inspections: $350 per hour
Expert Witness Testimony: $375 per hour, $750 minimum ($4,000 retainer required)
Travel expenses: @ $.85 mile + hotel and any other applicable travel reimbursement applies.
All billing is invoiced portal to portal for travel.
Full travel days billed at $2,500 per day, plus airfare, car rental, etc.