Balcony Repair Costs in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

If you are the owner or manager of a multi-unit residential apartment building, then you should know that balcony repairs in the greater Los Angeles region aren’t one-size-fits-all.  As such, this blog post provides crucial information to owners and managers about their mandatory balcony repair Los Angeles compliance requirements and breaks down cost factors.  This blog also provides ways to save on a crucial compliance budget!

Why are we talking about these compliance requirements?  We are writing blogs about these compliance requirements because are mandated by the State of California’s “Balcony Inspection Laws”, also known as Senate Bills 326 and 721, which require owners and managers to inspect and repair their property’s damaged wood-framed “Exterior Elevated Elements” (“EEE” or “3E”), for example balconies, decks, catwalks, and stairs.  

Common Balcony Damage Issues

If you are an owner or manager of a residential apartment buildings in the greater Los Angeles region, you are likely searching for information not just on SB 721 balcony compliance, but also regarding what are common balcony damage issues.  Well, in this blog we will discuss three of the most common damage issues, which are wood rot, rust, and structural failures!

The first and one of the most common types of damage is wood rot, which affects balconies, decks, catwalks, and stairs, that are typically made out of wood timbers.  Contractors use wood because it is a strong and inexpensive material; however, although wood is durable, when it is repeatedly subjected to water, it experiences wood rot (basically fungal growth).  The most common type of wood rot is called “dry rot,” which makes the wood surface appear dry, while at the same time eating away at the moist wood underneath.  Those balconies and EEE that are not properly sealed from rain will inevitably be compromised by such dangerous wood rot!

Secondly, wood-framed EEE are typically held together with metal fittings (e.g., steel brackets, flashings, rails, screws, etc.) all of which rust when subjected to long-term moisture.  Such rust will literally “eat” away at the metal, making it brittle and prone to breakage.  All of an EEE’s rusty, brittle fittings should be evaluated and when necessary, replaced.

Thirdly, wood balconies and other EEE are often subject to cracking, for example from exposure to the elements (which as we discussed above, promotes wood rot and rust) but also from being overloaded with furniture and other heavy objects like planters.  All such EEE must be regularly maintained, if they are to be kept in a safe condition.

Key Factors that Impact Balcony Repair Costs

Another issue that is critical to owners and managers of residential apartment buildings, relates to compliance budgeting, and in this specific case, the costs of EEE repair.  Well, the good news is that this blog has all the relevant data on this subject!  The cost of repairing a balcony or other EEE  can vary based on several factors, including:

• The extent of EEE decay. For example, are only a small number of EEE experiencing minor repairs to rotted boards or joists, or do a large number of EEEs need a full replacement of their framing?
• The extent to which waterproofing has failed. For example, are there just minor issues with flashing and only limited replacement of waterproofing membranes on a few EEE, or are the issues extensive throughout multiple EEEs and require the replacement of coatings, sealants, and membranes?
• The number of metal rails, bolts, and anchors that need replacement. For example, are only a limited number of metal features unsafe on a few EEE, or are these issues present in many EEEs?
• Accessibility and location of the EEEs that require repairs. Is access to the damaged EEEs challenging?  (e.g., does access require scaffolding, lifts, or cranes?)

Balcony Compliance and SB 721 Costs

As a reader of this blog, you are likely not just interested in structural balcony repair, but also in learning about the balcony inspection cost.  As you can imagine, the costs relate not only to the number of EEEs that need to be evaluated to meet the high confidence level required by law, but also whether or not such EEEs require:

• Only a basic visual inspection, or an involved inspection that requires exposing the EEE’s framing?
• Only limited drilling to insert a borescope for internal viewing, or more involved drilling, in multiple places?
• Only limited removal of stucco finishes to access concealed framing, or more involved stucco removal?
• An inspection of a soffit, which must be removed for purposes of the evaluation?
• Complex efforts and specialized lift equipment to safely reach and access the EEE for inspection (e.g., using scaffolding, lifts, cranes, or arranging for complicated access from owners or tenants of individual apartment units)?

How to Get an Accurate Estimate

 With all the information that this blog provides, you are probably asking yourself how to get an accurate estimate on balcony inspections and repairs?  Well, if there’s one crucial piece of advice we can offer to property owners and managers on this subject, it’s this:  Choose carefully who you employ as your balcony inspector and balcony repair contractors, and get everything in writing!

If you are wondering why we are saying “choose carefully,” it’s because not all inspectors and repair professionals are created equal.  Unfortunately, the industry has seen an increase in unqualified operators offering inspection and repair services without having the necessary experience, training, or understanding of how EEEs should be evaluated or repaired.  To ensure your successful compliance and protect your investment, you should work only with licensed, experienced professionals who not only understand how to inspect EEEs, but who are also fully qualified to repair them.

 

Fortunately, Weinstein Construction is Southern California’s most trusted contractors!  We have been in business in your own neighborhood for over 45 years, and we are fully equipped to perform both inspections, as well as required repairs to meet the State of California’s strict standards!

We can’t stress this enough, only qualified balcony repair contractors  like Weinstein Construction should be doing EEE inspections and repairs!

Ready to start your balcony inspection or repair?  Request a free estimate today!  Call Weinstein Construction today at (866) 623-5788 to schedule your free “California Balcony Law” consultation!  Get the help you need and deserve in planning for this mandatory inspection, and take advantage of lower prices too!