San Clemente Balcony Inspection & Repair Expert Services

With more than 20 years of experience in structural inspection and restoration, our licensed team specializes in identifying water damage, dry rot, corrosion, and waterproofing failures before they lead to costly repairs or violations.

Protect your property and stay compliant with California’s balcony inspection laws (SB-721 & SB-326). At Great Escape Service & Inspections, we provide professional balcony inspections, deck repairs, and waterproofing services in San Clemente, CA, helping property owners and HOAs meet all state safety standards.

Balcony Inspection Services in San Clemente, CA

  • California Senate Bills 721 and 326

    Under California Senate Bills 721 and 326, all multifamily buildings with balconies, decks, walkways, and exterior elevated elements (EEEs) must be inspected by a certified professional.

    If you own or manage an apartment building, condominium, or HOA community in San Clemente, you are required to complete your first inspection by January 1, 2025 — and continue regular re-inspections every 6–9 years.

    Great Escape Service & Inspections helps San Clemente property owners stay compliant, avoid penalties, and maintain safe, structurally sound balconies and decks.

  • Our San Clemente Balcony Services

    🔍 Balcony Inspections & Reports

    Comprehensive visual and structural evaluations using non-destructive and destructive testing to detect hidden issues like water intrusion, dry rot, and beam decay.

    🛠️ Balcony & Deck Repair Referrals

    We handle everything from minor waterproofing fixes to major balcony reconstruction. All repairs meet SB-721 / SB-326 standards and local Irvine building codes.

    💧 Balcony Waterproofing & Protection

    Protect balconies and decks from salt air and moisture common in coastal San Clemente. We apply high-performance waterproof membranes and coatings to extend longevity.

    🧱 Balcony Redesign Referrals

    We offer complete design-build services to restore safety, aesthetics, and long-term durability — ideal for ocean-exposed balconies in Southern California.

Our Inspection Services

  • SB721 Inspection Service

    SB 721 is a California law requiring a safety inspection of exterior elevated elements (EEEs) on multi-unit buildings, such as balconies, decks, and stairways, that are more than six feet above the ground. We inspect all exterior elevated elements made from wood or wood-based appendages for water intrusion to ensure they are structurally sound.

  • SB326 Inspection Service

    An SB 326 inspection is a mandatory, periodic assessment of exterior elevated elements (like balconies and decks) in California condominiums, requiring licensed structural engineers or architects to check for structural integrity, safety hazards, and waterproofing issues

  • 5-Year Fire Escape Inspection

    A 5-year fire escape inspection is a mandated safety evaluation of fire escape structures to ensure they are structurally sound and operational, and it is also a common term for the mandatory 5-year internal inspection of fire sprinkler systems to check for blockages, corrosion, and overall integrity.

Why San Clemente Property Owners Choose Great Escape

  • San Clemente Balcony Inspection Services

  • Local San Clemente Expertise – We understand the unique coastal challenges of salt air, humidity, and corrosion.

    Certified Inspectors & Engineers – Licensed and insured for full SB-721 and SB-326 compliance.

    Detailed Digital Reports – Photo-documented findings, structural summaries, and repair recommendations.

    End-to-End Project Management – From inspection through repairs and final certification.

    Serving All of Orange County – Including Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Beach, and Huntington Beach.

Client Testimonials

  • “Great Escape Fire Escape Service provides friendly, professional, responsive & competent service. They are ethical, experienced, pay attention to detail, and their billing is transparent & very reasonable. They are timely with appointments & reports. I highly recommend them without reservation!”

    — Miye

  • “I had to get a small repair done. Rich is a real professional. The quote was amazingly competitive, the services were amazing, he even dealt with the city for us without even being asked to. To top it all we got a thank you note from him after the job was done. I can’t recommend Great Escape highly enough. Amazing service and great customer care. Will do business again in a heartbeat!”

    — Howard

  • “Nick and Sam were incredibly helpful. They advised me early of their arrival, did exactly as promised, and provided me with a variety of great solutions that were customized to my needs. I’ll definitely be using Great Escape for all of our building’s fire escape certification needs.”

    — Quillon

What to Expect from a Balcony Inspection

  • Exterior view of a multicolored apartment building with balconies on each floor, featuring blue and yellow facades, and clear sky in the background.

  • 1. Consultation & Quote – We assess your property and provide a transparent proposal.

    2. Scheduling – Convenient appointments with minimal tenant disruption.

    3. On-Site Inspection – Our team inspects balconies, decks, and exterior walkways for safety and code compliance.

    4. Comprehensive Report – Delivered digitally with findings, photos, and compliance notes.

    5. Repairs & Certification – We complete the required repairs and issue compliance documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes — balcony inspections are legally required under California Senate Bill 721 (SB-721) for apartment buildings and Senate Bill 326 (SB-326) for condominium associations.

    These laws mandate that all balconies, decks, catwalks, and other exterior elevated elements (EEEs) supported by wood or wood-based framing be inspected by a licensed professional on a recurring schedule.

    Failure to complete these inspections by the state-mandated deadlines can result in fines, liability exposure, and potential occupancy restrictions.

    Great Escape Service & Inspections helps property owners and HOAs meet all state and local compliance requirements.

  • Any property owner, landlord, or HOA responsible for a building with balconies, decks, walkways, or exterior elevated elements (EEEs) that are six feet or more above ground should have a balcony inspection performed.

    This includes apartment complexes, condominiums, mixed-use buildings, and multifamily residences.

    Under California laws SB-721 and SB-326, these inspections are mandatory for:

    • Apartment buildings with three or more units (SB-721)

    • Condominium communities managed by an HOA (SB-326)

    Even for properties not yet required by law, scheduling a professional balcony inspection is a smart preventive step — it helps identify water damage, wood rot, or structural weakness early, protecting both residents and your investment.

    Great Escape Service & Inspections provides certified inspections for both rental properties and HOA-managed communities across Southern California.

  • If your balcony or deck does not meet SB-721 or SB-326 safety standards, we’ll provide a detailed inspection report outlining the issues, photos, and recommended repairs. Our licensed team can handle all necessary balcony repairs, waterproofing, and structural restoration to bring your property back into full compliance quickly.

  • Under California Senate Bills 721 and 326, balcony inspections must be completed every 6 years for apartment buildings (SB-721) and every 9 years for condominiums (SB-326) after the initial inspection. Great Escape Service & Inspections keeps detailed inspection records to help property owners and HOAs stay on schedule and compliant with future deadlines.

  • The cost of a balcony inspection varies depending on the property’s size, the number of balconies or decks, and the accessibility of each exterior elevated element (EEE). On average, SB-721 and SB-326 inspections range from a few hundred dollars for small properties to a few thousand dollars for larger apartment or condominium complexes. At Great Escape Service & Inspections, we offer transparent pricing and custom quotes tailored to your property’s needs and compliance requirements.

  • Under SB-326, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are legally responsible for ensuring all balconies, decks, catwalks, and similar exterior structures in condo communities are inspected by a licensed professional every 9 years. The HOA must also retain inspection records for at least two inspection cycles and address any recommended repairs promptly. Great Escape Service & Inspections works directly with HOA boards and property managers to handle scheduling, inspections, and repair coordination from start to finish.

  • Most balcony inspections take between 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size and number of exterior elevated elements (EEEs). Larger multifamily or condominium communities may require additional time for documentation and access coordination. Great Escape Service & Inspections ensures minimal disruption while providing a thorough, code-compliant inspection.