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Is your deck safe? As NADRA states, “The evaluation/ inspection of residential decks require special knowledge, expertise and experience because of the possibility of the gradual deterioration of structural materials from water, climate factors, and corrosion of structural fasteners and connectors. In addition to structural materials, numerous deck elements such as guardrails, handrails, lighting, stairs, and landings may not meet current safety standards as the building codes are updated on a recurring basis, typically three years. A professional inspector should thoroughly examine your deck for occupant safety to ensure the deck is safe for future use.”
Consumers are invited to download NADRA’s DIY checklist to perform a preliminary inspection. This checklist should not be used as to determine if your deck is safe, an inspector performs a very detailed inspection on every part of your deck!
Download the consumer checklist here HO Checklist
California now requires inspections of Exterior Elevated Elements-decks and balconies for dwelling’s with 3 or more units with decks.
Many general contractors have jumped on the bandwagon and have created “deck inspection companies” that are designed to feed their contracting business with work. Many offer “free” inspections or rebate back the fee if you give them the repair contract. We believe this is unethical and misleading.
DeckExpert.com advises that you retain an expert that only does inspections. Once you have an inspection report and need work, hire a project manager to develop repair specifications, put the work out to bid and oversee the repairs. Having someone on your side is preferable to being at the mercy of contractors peddling fear…
The following list of companies are reputable firms that perform deck inspections only. If you’d like to be added to the list, drop us a line.
For more information on balcony inspections for HOA’s, check out Davis-Stirling.com
| A7 Group, Inc. 700 2nd Street Unit H Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 945-3700 Adam Rohrbaugh www.a7architect.com |
CL Sigler & Association 523 Charcot Ave. #203, San Jose 95131 (408) 922-0262 and 74820 Borro Dr., Palm Desert 92260 (760) 469-3048 www.siglercm.com |
| A.D. Magellan 701 Palomar Airport Rd. Suite 300, Carlsbad, CA 92011 Becky Larson beckyl@admagellan.com www.admagellan.com |
Design Build Associates 5655 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 321, Westlake Village, CA 91362 (818) 889-0402 Dennis Brooks DennisBrooks@dbuild.com www.dbuild.com |
| AWS Consultants 2030 E 4th St #208D Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 835-2301 Carl Brown cbrown@awsconsultants.com www.awsconsultants.com |
Focused Inspection Group 1999 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 700, Campbell 95008 and 333 City Blvd. West, Suite 1700, Orange 92868 Alex Riley alex@focusedinspections.com www.focusedinspections.com |
| Axis Consultants 2544 Barrington Court Hayward, CA 94545 (833) 799-0333 MaryAnne Siena msiena@axisconsults.com www.axisconsultants.com |
Southern Cross Consultants 4045 Hancock St., Suite 240 San Diego 92110 (858) 395-8657 Matthew Boomhower, AIA Matthew@SouthernCrossPC.com www.SouthernCrossPC.com |
| Bergeman Group (833) 558-0888 Robert Grosse rgrosse@bergemangroup.com www.bergemangroup.com |
Van Sande Consultants 2920 De la Vina St. Santa Barbara 93105 805-963-6901 Carolle Van Sande, CSM carolle@bristolsb.com www.vansandestructural.com |
