Building Inspector
Your Trusted Building Inspector for Balcony Inspection & SB 721 / SB 326 Compliance
Uni Construction delivers licensed balcony inspection services for multifamily apartments, HOA communities, and commercial properties — covering SB 721 apartment balcony inspection, SB 326 HOA balcony inspection, structural assessment, detailed reporting, and repair planning. One team, full compliance, zero guesswork.
Why Uni Construction
The Best Building Inspector for SB 721 Balcony Inspection & SB 326 Compliance — Built on Two Decades of Construction Expertise
Choosing the right building inspector for your balcony inspection means partnering with a firm that understands not just what to look for, but what to do about it. Most inspection-only companies hand you a report and walk away. Uni Construction was built differently.With more than twenty years of preconstruction, cost management, and structural engineering coordination experience across major projects throughout California, our team brings design-build discipline to every balcony inspection engagement. We do not just identify problems — we assess structural conditions, evaluate waterproofing systems, document findings to full SB 721 and SB 326 standards, and provide actionable repair planning so you can move from inspection to resolution without hiring three additional consultants.Whether you manage a three-unit apartment building or a two-hundred-unit HOA community, our SB 721 inspector and SB 326 inspector team delivers the same institutional-grade thoroughness — because balcony safety is not a place to cut corners.
Value Points:
- Licensed general contractor and structural engineering team under one roof
- SB 721 compliance California — apartment buildings with three or more units
- SB 326 compliance — HOA and condominium exterior elevated elements
- Repair planning and construction support beyond the inspection report
- Transparent communication from first call through final compliance documentation
Balcony Inspection Services
SB 721 Balcony Inspection & SB 326 Balcony Inspection — Full-Scope Services
California Senate Bills 721 and 326 were enacted in direct response to the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse that killed six people and injured seven others. The cause was structural decay from dry rot in the load-bearing wood framing — a condition that a proper inspection would have identified before it became catastrophic.Today, SB 721 requires buildings with three or more dwelling units to have their exterior elevated elements inspected by January 1, 2025, with subsequent inspections every six years. SB 326 requires HOA and condominium associations to complete inspections by January 1, 2025, with follow-up inspections every nine years. Both laws apply to balconies, decks, walkways, stairways, railings, porches, and entry structures that rely on wood or wood-based products for structural support and are elevated more than six feet above ground level.
Uni Construction provides full-scope balcony inspection services covering every requirement under both statutes — from initial visual assessment through final compliance documentation.Inspection ReportEvery balcony inspection we perform produces a comprehensive written report that meets or exceeds SB 721 and SB 326 reporting requirements. Each report includes color photographs, narrative descriptions of current conditions, identification of any exterior elevated element or waterproofing system that does not meet its load requirements, expectations of future performance and projected service life, and recommendations for further inspection, repair, or replacement. Reports are stamped or signed by a qualified inspector and delivered to the building owner within the statutory timeframe — forty-five days for standard findings, fifteen days when conditions pose an immediate safety hazard.
Licensed Contractor Inspection
Under SB 721, balcony inspections may be performed by a licensed general contractor holding an A, B, or C-5 license issued by the Contractors State License Board. Uni Construction holds an active general contractor license with decades of field experience across residential and multifamily construction. This means our inspectors evaluate your balconies not as passive observers but as builders who understand framing connections, load paths, moisture migration, and material degradation at a structural level — producing findings that are accurate, defensible, and actionable.
Licensed Structural Engineer InspectionSB 326 HOA balcony inspections require completion by a licensed structural engineer or licensed architect. Uni Construction coordinates directly with licensed structural engineers to conduct these assessments, ensuring that every HOA and condominium inspection satisfies the statute’s professional qualification requirements. Our structural engineering team evaluates load-bearing components, connection integrity, cantilever conditions, and decay patterns with the technical rigor that association boards and property managers need for fiduciary compliance.
Residential Renovation Planning
When inspection findings call for repairs that go beyond basic maintenance, our team transitions seamlessly from assessment to renovation planning. We develop repair scopes, evaluate structural remediation options, and produce documentation that supports permit applications and contractor bidding. This is the advantage of working with a building inspector that is also a design-build construction firm — your inspection report becomes the starting point for a clear, budgeted path to compliance rather than a dead-end document.
Site Planning & Zoning Review
Before or alongside a balcony inspection, we evaluate the broader property context — including zoning overlays, building code classifications, construction type, and any existing nonconforming conditions that may affect repair scope or permitting strategy. For property owners considering future improvements such as ADU additions, seismic retrofits, or exterior upgrades, this site-level review ensures that balcony repair work aligns with your overall property investment strategy.
Coordinated Plan Sets — Drafting, Permitting & Structural Input
When balcony repairs require a building permit, Uni Construction produces coordinated plan sets that include architectural details, structural engineering, and all supporting documentation for city submittal. We manage the plan check correction process and remain available through construction for field questions and design clarifications. No chasing separate consultants, no conflicting details, no wasted revision cycles — one unified team from inspection through completed repair.
Exterior Elevated Elements
What Our Building Inspectors Evaluate Under SB 721 & SB 326
Both California balcony inspection statutes define specific exterior elevated elements and associated waterproofing systems that must be assessed. Our inspection scope covers every component the law requires — and several additional items that experienced building inspectors know to look for.Exterior Elevated Elements inspected include:
Balconies and decks
✔ Exterior walkways and corridors
✔ Exterior stairways and landings
✔ Porches and entry structures
✔ Railings and guardrails
✔ Supporting framing, joists, ledger boards, and connections
Associated Waterproofing Elements inspected include:
✔ Flashings
✔ Membranes and coatings
✔ Sealants and caulking
✔ Drainage systems and weep screeds
We assess each element for signs of moisture intrusion, dry rot, fungal decay, structural deflection, fastener corrosion, inadequate bearing, and code-noncompliant construction. When conditions warrant, we recommend targeted invasive or destructive testing to confirm the extent of concealed damage — but we never use invasive methods as a pressure tactic to generate construction work. Our findings are objective, our reporting is transparent, and our recommendations are driven solely by what the structure needs.
Our Process
How Our Building Inspection Team Works With You
We have refined a four-phase process that takes property owners and managers from initial inquiry through full compliance documentation.
Step 1 — Scope & Property Review
We assess your property, confirm which statute applies (SB 721 or SB 326), identify all exterior elevated elements subject to inspection, and provide a clear proposal with fixed pricing — no surprises.
Step 2 — On-Site Balcony Inspection
Our licensed inspectors conduct a thorough visual assessment of all balconies, decks, stairways, walkways, and associated waterproofing elements. We use professional-grade tools including moisture meters and thermal imaging where conditions warrant deeper evaluation.
Step 3 — Inspection Report & Findings
We deliver a comprehensive, code-compliant inspection report with color photographs, written narrative, condition assessments, projected service life, and clear repair or replacement recommendations — stamped or signed by a qualified inspector.
Step 4 — Repair Planning & Construction Support
If repairs are needed, our design-build team develops repair scopes, produces permit-ready plan sets, and can execute the construction work — giving you a single point of accountability from inspection through completed repair and final compliance sign-off.
Ready to Work With a Building Inspector Who Goes Beyond the Report?
Request a free inspection consultation. We will review your property, confirm your compliance requirements, and provide a clear proposal — typically within 48 hours.
Service Area
Balcony Inspection & Building Inspector Services Across Los Angeles & the San Gabriel Valley
Uni Construction serves apartment owners, HOA boards, property managers, and commercial building owners throughout Los Angeles County. Our team has completed balcony inspection and structural assessment projects across dozens of jurisdictions in the region.
Cities Served:
· Los Angeles
· Diamond Bar
· Pasadena
· West Covina
· Alhambra
· Arcadia
· Rosemead
· Temple City
· Glendora
· Covina
· Monrovia
· El Monte
· Hacienda Heights
· Rowland Heights
· Walnut
· Pomona
· San Dimas
· La Verne
· Azusa
· Whittier
· Downtown Los Angeles
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Our Building Inspector & Balcony Inspection Services
Q: What makes Uni Construction the best building inspector for balcony inspections?
A: Our advantage is that we are not just inspectors — we are a design-build construction and engineering firm with over twenty years of preconstruction experience. When we inspect your balconies under SB 721 or SB 326, we evaluate structural conditions with the same rigor we apply to our own construction projects. If repairs are needed, we can develop scopes, produce permit-ready plans, and execute the work — eliminating the gap between identifying a problem and actually solving it.
Q: What is the difference between SB 721 and SB 326 balcony inspections?
A: SB 721 applies to apartment and commercial buildings with three or more dwelling units. SB 326 applies to HOA and condominium communities governed by the Davis-Stirling Act. Both require inspection of exterior elevated elements made of wood that are more than six feet above ground — but they differ in inspection frequency (six years for SB 721, nine years for SB 326), inspector qualifications, and reporting requirements. Uni Construction is qualified to perform inspections under both statutes.
.Q: Who is qualified to perform SB 721 and SB 326 balcony inspections?
A: Under SB 721, inspections may be performed by a licensed architect, licensed civil or structural engineer, a general contractor holding an A, B, or C-5 license, or a certified building inspector. Under SB 326, inspections must be completed by a licensed structural engineer or licensed architect. Uni Construction satisfies both qualification tracks through our licensed general contractor credentials and our structural engineering team.
Q: What does a balcony inspection include?
A: Our inspections cover all exterior elevated elements as defined by California law — balconies, decks, walkways, stairways, porches, entry structures, railings, and all associated waterproofing systems including flashings, membranes, coatings, and sealants. We assess each component for moisture intrusion, dry rot, structural deflection, fastener corrosion, and code compliance. Findings are documented in a detailed report with photographs, narrative descriptions, and repair recommendations.
Q: Is destructive testing required for SB 721 or SB 326 balcony inspections?
A: No. Neither SB 721 nor SB 326 requires drilling, cutting, or opening balconies as part of the standard inspection. Invasive or destructive testing is only recommended when an inspector identifies a condition during the visual assessment that warrants further investigation to determine the extent of concealed damage. Be cautious of any company that insists on destructive testing upfront — it is not required by law and may be used as a tactic to generate construction work.
Q: What happens if my balcony inspection reveals problems that require repairs?
A: If an exterior elevated element poses an immediate safety threat, the building owner must restrict occupant access and undertake emergency repairs immediately, with notice to the local enforcement agency. If repairs are needed but do not pose an immediate threat, the owner must apply for a building permit within 120 days of receiving the inspection report and complete repairs within 120 days of permit approval. Failure to complete required repairs can result in civil penalties ranging from one hundred to five hundred dollars per day and a potential building safety lien against the property.
Q: How much does a balcony inspection cost?
A: Pricing depends on the number of units, the quantity and type of exterior elevated elements, property access conditions, and which statute applies. We provide transparent, fixed-fee proposals after an initial property review and scope discussion — no hourly surprises and no hidden upsell for construction services you may not need.
Q: What areas do you serve as a building inspector?
A: We serve apartment owners, HOA communities, property managers, and commercial building owners throughout Los Angeles County with a concentration in the San Gabriel Valley — including Diamond Bar, Pasadena, West Covina, Alhambra, Arcadia, Rosemead, Temple City, Glendora, Covina, and surrounding communities. We also take on projects across broader Los Angeles County when the scope and location are a good fit.
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