Author: diligenceinspections

…and why not to do it.

That is probably a little bit extreme, especially if we are just talking about a little raised platform off your back door. These can be a great summer project or something to keep occupied with during stay at home orders. One of the primary issues encountered during a home inspection though is work which has been completed improperly and/or without permits. Much of this type of work can be corrected with relatively simple repairs but decks and stairs are the number one cause of injury in and around a home. There is a lot of engineering that goes into the design of a deck or attached balcony to help account for the numerous ways which they can fail.

A good way to complete this safely as a DIY project is to do it as an “owner builder”. You do not need to be a licensed contractor to do work on your own home in some cases and can still have your design and work reviewed by city engineers. In my experience, they are (mostly) helpful and just want to see things done properly and safely. Plans can be purchased online or can be drawn by an individual, although that could be a daunting task for the diy’er. An excellent source to review proper deck construction is DCA-6. A link to this guide is here (.pdf warning).

Hi, my name is Ryan Horton. I have been a Los Angeles Resident for just over 30 years and grew up in the the Hollywood and Foothill communities. I now call Altadena home with my wife and almost 3 year old son. I ended up in real estate inspection after a long career in various building and fabricating trades as well as project management. To date I have completed close to 2000 individual inspections and am a member of two of the most recognized professional organizations – ASHI and CREIA.

Our present circumstances with the Covid-19 outbreak, however horrible, gave me a chance to re-evaluate many of my daily routines and led me to the decision to transition from employee to business owner. It was a tough decision to leave the security of an established business and team atmosphere but I think it was the right one. I believe that on my own, I can provide a higher level of service, and deliver a better product, while also being more present in my life at home.

I added this blog to my website to post stories and advice relating to things I see on the job. Also for search engine optimization, isn’t that why most people do? Check back here for that and the occasional nice view from a rooftop.