Deck & Balcony Inspections · CSLB #1060736
Deck & Balcony Inspections in California
One licensed source for every deck and balcony inspection your property needs — SB 721, SB 326 and SF Section 604 compliance, structural assessments, and clear, certified reports.
California-licensed · CSLB #1060736 · SB 721 & SB 326 specialists · Insured & bonded
01 Why inspections matter
A deck or balcony failure is a life-safety event — and a legal one
Decks, balconies, landings and exterior stairs are the elevated elements that carry people above ground — and they weather, rot and corrode out of sight. A professional inspection is how property managers, HOA boards and owners catch that damage before it becomes a collapse, a lawsuit, or a code violation.
California now makes it mandatory. After fatal balcony collapses, the state passed SB 721 for multifamily rentals and SB 326 for HOA condominiums, requiring every exterior elevated element to be inspected on a fixed cycle by a qualified professional. San Francisco adds its own local requirements. Missing the deadline exposes a property to liability, insurance problems and enforcement.
This page is the single place to find the right inspection for your building — what each one covers, how often it is required, what drives the cost, and how the process works from scheduling to a certified report.
An inspection is the cheapest part of a balcony program. The expensive part is the collapse you didn’t see coming.
02 What we inspect & certify
Deck & balcony inspection services
Pick the inspection your property is required to have — or call and we’ll tell you which law applies.
Rental · 3+ unitsSB 721 Inspection
Apartment & multifamily rental balconies and decks — the mandatory state inspection, every 6 years.
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HOA · condoSB 326 Inspection
HOA condominium balconies and decks — the mandatory association inspection, every 9 years.
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San FranciscoSF Section 604
San Francisco’s local exterior-element & balcony inspection requirement for city buildings.
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EngineeringStructural Assessment
Engineer-grade load analysis and retrofit recommendations when an inspection flags a structural concern.
Learn more03 What we inspect
A complete deck & balcony inspection checklist
Decks
- Framing, joists & support beams
- Posts, footings & base connections
- Ledger board attachment & flashing
- Fasteners, joist hangers & connectors
- Decking surface, coating & drainage
- Guardrails & baluster spacing (42″ / 4″)
Balconies & elevated elements
- All exterior elevated elements per SB 721 / 326
- Load-bearing components & waterproofing membrane
- Weather-resistive barrier & sealants
- Drainage, scuppers & standing-water signs
- Concrete spalling, rebar & corrosion
- Railing anchorage & structural attachment
Every elevated element is inspected to the standard SB 721 and SB 326 require — visual and probe inspection, documented element by element.
04 What it costs
What a deck or balcony inspection costs
There is no flat fee, because no two buildings are alike. We quote every property after a walkthrough — here is what drives the number:
What affects your inspection cost
- Number and type of elevated elements (decks, balconies, stairs, walkways)
- Building height and the access needed to reach each element
- Whether the scope falls under SB 721, SB 326 or local rules — and the unit count
- The mix of deck vs balcony and the materials involved
- Report depth, photos and any permit or jurisdiction forms required
- Whether repairs are bundled with the inspection under one contract
CSLB #1060736 · Same-day callback · No obligation
05 California balcony law
Which inspection law applies to your property?
Multifamily rentals
Apartment buildings with three or more units — inspect every 6 years.
SB 721 inspection SB 326HOA condominiums
Community-association balconies and decks — inspect every 9 years.
SB 326 inspection SF 604San Francisco
San Francisco’s local exterior-element inspection requirement for city buildings.
SF Section 60406 How it works
From scheduling to your inspection report
- 01
Schedule
Tell us your address and unit count. We confirm scope and book a time that fits your tenants or board.
- 02
On-site assessment
A trained inspector evaluates every elevated element — visual and probe — against the applicable standard.
- 03
Documented findings
Each element is photographed and rated, with any damage, deficiency or required repair clearly noted.
- 04
Inspection report
You receive a certified report in the format the law and your insurer require — plus a repair plan if needed.
07 FAQ
Deck & balcony inspection questions
What is a deck or balcony inspection?
A professional inspection of every exterior elevated element (EEE) on a property — decks, balconies, landings, stairs and walkways — checking the load-bearing framing, connections, waterproofing and railings for safety and code compliance. In California it is also how multifamily and HOA buildings satisfy the SB 721 and SB 326 laws.
How often is a balcony inspection required in California?
SB 721 requires apartment / multifamily rental buildings with three or more units to inspect their elevated elements every 6 years. SB 326 requires HOA condominium associations to inspect every 9 years. San Francisco buildings may also fall under local Section 604 requirements.
How much does a deck or balcony inspection cost?
There is no flat fee — cost depends on the number and type of elevated elements, the building height and access, the SB 721 vs SB 326 scope, and how detailed a report you need. We quote every property after a walkthrough, with a same-day callback and no obligation.
What does the inspection cover?
We inspect deck and balcony framing, joists, beams, ledger boards and flashing, posts and footings, fasteners and connectors, waterproofing membranes and drainage, and guardrails — documenting the condition of every load-bearing and weather-exposed component against the applicable standard.
Do you provide a written inspection report?
Yes. Every inspection produces a documented report of findings — with photos, the condition of each element, and any repairs needed — in the format the law and your insurer or local jurisdiction require.
Do you inspect deck and balcony issues, or also repair them?
Both. We are a CSLB-licensed contractor (#1060736), so the same team that inspects can also waterproof, repair or rebuild any elevated element that fails — keeping inspection and remediation under one accountable license.
Do you serve my area?
We inspect commercial, multifamily and HOA properties across the Sacramento region and the greater Bay Area. Tell us your address on a callback and we’ll confirm scheduling.
08 Learn more
