Deck & Balcony Inspections · CSLB #1060736
Deck & Balcony Inspections in the Bay Area
Professional deck & balcony inspection services for multifamily, HOA and commercial properties — SB 721, SB 326 and SF Section 604 compliance, structural assessments, and clear, certified reports. Serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
California-licensed · CSLB #1060736 · SB 721 & SB 326 specialists · Insured & bonded
01 California balcony law
Why California makes balcony inspections mandatory
Decks, balconies, landings and stairs weather, rot and corrode out of sight. After fatal balcony collapses, the state made inspecting them a legal requirement — here is which law covers your property, and when it is due.
SB 721 — Multifamily Rentals
Apartment buildings with three or more units — a mandatory inspection of every exterior elevated element, every 6 years.
SB 721 inspection SB 326SB 326 — HOA Condominiums
HOA and community-association balconies and decks — a mandatory inspection every 9 years.
SB 326 inspection SF 604Section 604 — San Francisco
San Francisco’s local exterior-element inspection requirement, layered on top of state law.
SF Section 604Required balcony inspections in California are not optional: missing an SB 721 or SB 326 deadline exposes owners, HOA boards and property managers to liability, insurance problems and code enforcement. Not sure which law applies? We’ll confirm it on one call.
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, footings & connections
- 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 & concrete elements
- All exterior elevated elements per SB 721 / 326
- Concrete spalling, rebar & corrosion
- Load-bearing components & waterproofing membrane
- Weather-resistive barrier & sealants
- Drainage, scuppers & standing-water signs
- Railing anchorage & structural attachment
When a structural engineer gets involved
Most deck inspections are visual and probe-based. When the findings point deeper — sagging framing, failed connections, widespread rot or corroded concrete — an engineer-grade review quantifies the load risk and specifies the retrofit. Ours is the Structural Assessment, and the same licensed team carries out the repairs.
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
How much does a deck or balcony inspection cost?
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 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.
In the field
What an inspection actually looks at
Moisture readings, probe tests, and the connections that carry the load — documented element by element.
06 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 San Francisco Bay Area — from the Peninsula and South Bay to the East Bay and the North Bay. Tell us your address on a callback and we’ll confirm scheduling.
07 From the blog
Deck & balcony inspection guides
Plain-English answers to the questions inspections raise — what the laws say, who pays, and what happens after the report.
