What does California Deck Inspection do?
Why are deck and balcony inspections required in California?
What are SB 721 and SB 326, and how do they affect me?
When are inspections required under each law?
Why choose California Deck Inspection over other companies?
Why don’t you also offer repair services?
Are you more expensive than competitors?
What should I know before requesting an inspection?
What information do you need from me to get started?
How long does an inspection take, and what’s included?
How do your non-invasive inspections work?
What happens after the inspection?
What if repairs are needed?
How much does an inspection cost?
Why are some companies cheaper?
Why does independence matter financially?
Do you serve my city?
Who performs the inspections?
What licenses and certifications does CDI hold?
How often do I need to re-inspect my property?
Can CDI help with ongoing maintenance or planning?
What happens if I lose my report or need to show compliance later?
California Deck Inspection (CDI) provides independent, non-invasive inspections of decks, balconies, stairs, railings, and other exterior elevated elements throughout California.
Our mission is to help property owners and managers stay compliant with state safety laws, specifically SB 721 (for apartments and multifamily buildings) and SB 326 (for condominiums and HOAs), without unnecessary damage, disruption, or repair costs.
We specialize solely in inspections, not repairs, so our reports are objective, detailed, and designed to protect you and your property value, not to sell you a construction contract.
Following several catastrophic deck failures in California, the state introduced two key safety laws, SB 721 and SB 326, to ensure all elevated structures are properly inspected for signs of water damage, rot, or structural failure.
These laws require licensed professionals to perform periodic inspections and provide documentation verifying the safety and condition of each exterior elevated element (EEE).
The goal is straightforward: to prevent tragedies by identifying early warning signs of deterioration before visible damage appears.
Both laws were created to improve safety across California’s multifamily and condominium buildings, but they apply to different property types:
If you’re unsure which law applies to your property, CDI can help you determine it before scheduling an inspection.
For apartments and rentals (SB 721):
For condominiums and HOAs (SB 326):
Both laws require a written report documenting the condition of all accessible structural elements and identifying any items needing further evaluation or repair.
Because we’re independent. Most companies that offer inspections also do repairs, which means their reports often “find” problems that lead to more business for themselves.
At CDI, we do inspections only. No repairs. No hidden partnerships. No conflicts of interest.
That independence means our findings are honest and objective. We’re proud to be trusted by some of California’s largest property owners, HOAs, and management companies who value accuracy over sales tactics.
When you work with CDI, you’re getting:
Because inspections should never be tied to profit from repairs.
Our founder, Jim Schlagel, built CDI on the principle that inspectors should protect the owner, not the contractor.
When one company inspects and repairs, they have a financial incentive to exaggerate findings. That’s not compliance, that’s salesmanship.
By separating the two, CDI ensures your report reflects only what’s necessary, saving you thousands in unnecessary work.
If issues are discovered, we’ll provide all the data and photos your chosen contractor needs, but you stay in control of who performs the repairs.
Sometimes up front, yes, but never in the long run.
Many low-cost inspection companies make their money on the back end through repair work or follow-up construction.
We don’t.
Our pricing reflects:
When you compare full lifecycle costs, our clients consistently find CDI is the most cost-effective choice. We’re proud not to be the cheapest on paper, because we save you far more in the big picture.
Before scheduling your inspection, it’s important to know:
1. What type of property you have – This determines whether you’re governed by SB 721 (apartments and rentals) or SB 326 (condominiums and HOAs).
2. The number of decks, balconies, or walkways you need inspected – this helps us accurately quote and plan the work.
3. Access requirements – Our inspectors will need safe, clear access to each area.
4. Deadlines for your property type – Most apartment buildings must complete their first inspection by December 31, 2025.
We can help you confirm these details before you book. Just reach out, and our team will walk you through everything you need to prepare.
When you contact us for a quote, please have:
We’ll review your property details, confirm which law applies, and send a clear proposal, no hidden fees, no upsells.
That depends on your property size and access, but most inspections take a few hours to one day.
Every inspection includes:
If any concerns arise, we’ll explain what they mean in plain language, so you know exactly what’s required to stay compliant.
Unlike many inspection companies, CDI uses non-invasive methods to assess your decks, balconies, and walkways.
That means we don’t drill holes, cut open surfaces, or cause unnecessary damage to your property during evaluation.
Our process includes:
1. Visual and moisture-based assessments of structural elements such as joists, beams, connections, and waterproofing systems.
2. Advanced diagnostic tools (like infrared and moisture detection) to identify signs of hidden damage or water intrusion without destructive testing.
3. Detailed photo documentation of each inspected area, ensuring complete transparency and proof of findings.
If our inspection reveals areas that truly need deeper review, we’ll recommend targeted testing only where absolutely necessary, not across the entire property.
This approach saves clients from costly surface repairs and ensures the inspection remains focused on compliance and accuracy, not demolition.
Within days of your inspection, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report prepared by a licensed professional.
Your report will include:
We’ll also take the time to walk you through the results, explaining what’s urgent, what’s preventative, and how to plan for any follow-up work.
Our goal is to make sure you fully understand your building’s condition and your compliance requirements before you spend a dollar on repairs.
If issues are found that require further evaluation or repair:
By keeping inspection and repair separate, we protect you from inflated quotes and unnecessary construction, ensuring your building stays safe and your budget stays intact.
Every property is different, so pricing depends on the number of exterior elevated elements (EEEs), accessibility, and location.
However, most clients find the cost surprisingly affordable when broken down across the entire property.
We’ll provide a clear, itemized quote upfront with no hidden fees and no pressure to buy follow-up services.
Many companies that appear cheaper up front make their profit on the back end through repair work.
They’ll inspect your property, then recommend that you hire their own construction crews, often inflating costs in the process.
CDI’s model is different. We don’t repair, partner, or profit from any construction company.
Our only incentive is to provide a truthful, unbiased assessment of your property’s condition.
That independence means our clients avoid:
In short, you’re not paying for salesmanship, you’re paying for integrity, accuracy, and protection.
Because independence eliminates bias.
When inspections and repairs are performed by the same company, there’s a built-in incentive to find (or exaggerate) damage.
By contrast, CDI’s independence means:
That’s why many HOAs, property managers, and building owners across California call CDI the most trustworthy investment they’ve made in their building’s safety.
Yes, CDI proudly serves the entire state of California.
From San Diego to Sacramento, Los Angeles to Redding, we have inspection teams operating statewide and ready to help your property meet compliance requirements under SB 721 and SB 326.
Our statewide coverage means we understand:
Whether you manage one building or hundreds, CDI can coordinate inspections anywhere in the state with consistency, precision, and professionalism.
All inspections are conducted by licensed professionals with extensive construction, waterproofing, and forensic investigation experience.
Our team includes:
Each inspection is overseen by a senior professional who ensures your report meets the exact standards outlined by the California
Building Standards Code and relevant state legislation.
CDI operates under:
In addition, our founder, Jim Schlagel, has served as an expert consultant for the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for more than a decade.
Together, these credentials ensure that your inspection isn’t just compliant, it’s performed by true specialists who understand every layer of your building’s safety and structure.
Re-inspection schedules are set by law:
However, we recommend routine visual checks every 1-2 years, especially in areas exposed to moisture, salt air, or heavy sun.
Catching small issues early prevents costly structural repairs later, and ensures your next state-required inspection goes smoothly.
Absolutely. While we don’t perform repairs, we help clients plan and budget intelligently for long-term upkeep.
Our reports provide clear data you can use to:
For property managers and HOAs, CDI can also set up inspection rotation schedules to keep your entire portfolio compliant without logistical headaches.
No problem, CDI securely archives every report we issue.
If you ever need documentation for your HOA, insurance provider, or local jurisdiction, we can resend your inspection records on request.
Your reports remain accessible, properly formatted, and ready for submittal, so you’re never scrambling to prove compliance when it matters most.
