Walovich Architects Group
5994 West Las Positas Blvd.,Suite 223
Pleasanton, CA 94588
+1 (925) 223-6970
[email protected]
California Senate Bill 326 was signed into law to ensure the safety of decks and balconies following a balcony collapse in 2015 that killed six students and injured seven others. This law requires all condominium associations with three or more units to conduct an inspection of all Elevated Exterior Elements (EEE) including decks, walkways, and balconies to ensure they are free of any hazards like decay or deterioration that may cause harm or death to the public.
Walovich Architects Group’s 30+ years of experience in deck inspection & safety evaluation, forensic investigation, and architectural design means our architectural and general contracting experts are highly qualified and trusted to evaluate the safety of your decks. A deck inspection conducted by W+A will ensure your safety and preserve the value of your property.
Our services include visual inspection of exterior elements (decks, walkways, balconies, etc.), comprehensive reporting, and repair and management services. For more information about your SB 326 deck inspection or to request a FREE initial site inspection call (925) 223-6970 or contact Kristin Frimond at [email protected].
We will perform visual inspection of all decks, walkways and exterior elements in compliance with SB 326 regulations by utilizing a variety of industry standard techniques and equipment to determine the condition of your property’s decks. These include visual inspection, destructive testing, thermal imaging water tests, borescopes and moisture meters, and removable vents.
Following a thorough and detailed investigation, W+A will compile a comprehensive investigative report detailing the current condition of exterior elements, expectation for life expectancy, and scope of repair recommendations.
W+A will coordinate with a general contractor to provide a cost estimate and complete repairs, including any emergency actions required. We provide comprehensive, in-house design and construction management services to make sure your repairs are completed on-time and on-budget.
Senate Bill 326 requires an inspection of all Elevated Exterior Elements including decks, walkways, and balconies to ensure they are free of any hazards like decay or deterioration that may cause harm or death to the public. This new law applies to condominiums with three or more family-dwelling units and must be performed by a licensed architect or structural engineer.
Senate Bill 326, also known as the Balcony Bill, applies to more that just balconies. Exterior Elevated Elements (EEE) are any load bearing structure that is elevated more than six feet in the air and is built with wood supporting structures. EEEs include decks, balconies, stairways, walkways, and their railings.
Property owners have until January 1st, 2025 to have Elevated Exterior Elements inspected by a qualified professional including a licensed architect or engineer. After initial inspection, elements must be inspected every nine (9) years. In the event repairs are needed and are not completed within an allotted time frame, owners face civil penalties. Don’t wait to inspect your decks!
We utilize a variety of industry standard techniques and equipment to determine the condition of your property’s decks including visual inspection, destructive testing, thermal imaging water tests, borescopes, moisture meters, and/or removable vents.
Depending on the structure of your EEE’s, inspection may include removal of exterior stucco finish materials to view the underlying condition of concealed waterproofing and framing assemblies. There may be underlying issues hidden beneath the exterior of the building that can’t be seen from the outside. Generally, W+A conducts destructive testing on about 20% of decks, but the number is determined on a case-by-case basis. All inspected areas will be restored to their original condition by a licensed general contractor directly following the visual inspections.
Generally, W+A will visually inspect 100% of exterior elements on the property and will conduct destructive testing on about 20% of EEEs. The number of EEEs inspected is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Our final report will advise the HOA if any repair or maintenance is required to ensure the safety of the EEEs. There are two types of repairs, (1) non-emergency repairs that can be budgeted for and completed on the HOA’s timeline, and (2) emergency repairs that must be fixed immediately and must be referred to the local building and safety department for action.
W+A will coordinate with a general contractor to provide a cost estimate and complete repairs, including any emergency actions required. The cost of repair for each project will vary depending on the structure, layout, number, and condition of decks, walkways, and other factors. We provide comprehensive, in-house design and construction management services to make sure your repairs are completed on-time and on-budget. If repair is required following the SB 326 inspection, W+A will provide a separate bid for those additional services.
We are committed to offering affordable, efficient and professional inspection services to our clients.
We are committed to safety, therefore each of our crew members have been trained to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our team will provide the property manager, HOA, Board of Directors, and residents with our policies and procedures before any site visit or inspection.
Protect the safety of your homeowners and your financial investment. For more information about your SB 326 deck inspection or to request a proposal, contact us here or call (925) 223-6970.
Are you still looking for more information? We are here to help.
The GB Group sits down with Fred Walovich from Walovich Architects Group to discuss SB 326 – The Balcony Inspection Bill. The discussion in this episode touches on the ins and outs of SB 326 as this inspection law matures into the HOA industry. Listen as we talk about how we are approaching these laws from the contractors’ point of view, as well as the architect/engineers’ point of view. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Defning the parameters for our professional services and preparing a budget prior to commencing work on the project.
Utilizing a systematic process for collection facts and forming and testing hypothesis.
Communication our findings through accurate, comprehensive, convincing written reports and oral presentations.
Evaluating and summering an appropriate level of data. Choose from a concise letter of findings to more in-depth report including comprehensive data analysis, recommended repairs and cost estimates.
Developing fair and defensible opinions on the standard of care issues associated with construction and architectural design issues. These opinions are based on our experience with designing, constructing and repairing buildings.
Our consultants pride themselves on their professionalism, understanding of the issues, and being well prepared. Providing fact driven evidence to support our expert opinions allows us to maintain our credibility and integrity with a jury and a judge.