Tag Archives: Civil Code 5551

Notice to HOAs in Need of an SB 326 Inspection

“California does not issue or require a credential called a ‘Certified Deck Inspector’ for SB 326 inspections. Private organizations may issue their own certificates, but consumers should determine who issued the credential, whether the certifying organization is independent of the inspection company, and whether the credential actually qualifies the individual to perform the inspection required by the applicable California statute.”

If you see the term “certified” in any advertising, website or stated orally by a salesperson, owner or company representative, all we can say is “Caveat Emptor” or in plain English, buyer beware.

Just because they say you inspection is “certified”, doesn’t mean it is. This website as shown above in this screenshot may mislead consumers into believing that this firm is more qualified to do EEE Inspections than others who don’t advertise as being “certified”.

Great inspection firms don’t need to puff themselves up with dubious certifications no one has ever heard of. We don’t claim that our reports are “certified” because there’s no such thing. Certified by whom? A private entity? A recognized non profit building & construction group such as NADRA or IIBEC? Don’t be fooled by the term certified as thrown about on some inspection companies websites. If someone claims their report is certified, ask them by whom is it certified and under what standards and can I see those standards? If you dig, you may find that the claim of “certified reports” is self serving.

Continue reading Notice to HOAs in Need of an SB 326 Inspection →

Railing Failure in Boston Sends Two People to The Hospital

This is another reason why EEE inspections are necessary!

At William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC, we take balcony inspections very seriously as life safety is paramount! Don’t wait until an accident happens, even though no one died in this accident, we’ll bet good money that one or both victims of this railing failure will bring a lawsuit against the building owner. A good inspector likely would have flagged the railing as being unsafe.

Here at William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC we have found many structural deficiencies over the years on EEEs we have inspected. We have had to post notices informing residents that the balconies were off limits until repairs were made.

Our warning notice to not use the deck until it is fixed
When decks fail structural inspections, they need to be closed from use until repairs are made.
Continue reading Railing Failure in Boston Sends Two People to The Hospital →

A Client Asks Us “There Are So Many Deck Inspection Companies, Aren’t They All The Same?”

The answer in short is no, all inspection companies are not the same. Here is an explanation on why inspection companies are not at all equal in experience, ethics and in following the balcony bill requirements.

The SB 326 balcony inspection bill failed to ban inspectors from owning construction companies and failed to ban inspectors who own waterproofing and construction companies from bidding on jobs they inspected, so unscrupulous individuals are popping up to take advantage of unsuspecting and unknowledgeable consumers. 

Without a doubt, during your Google search you are bound to come across  deck inspection companies advertising on the world wide web which are run by individuals who opened a deck inspection company to take unfair advantage of HOAs despite their contractors licenses having complaint disclosures listed on their license for such offenses such as failing to complete work for the price quoted in their contract, taking a deposit in excess of $1,000, hiring unlicensed sub contractors and departing from trade standards.

We personally know of one deck inspector/deck inspection company who is under active investigation by the Board of Engineers for practicing engineering without an engineering license. That investigation was opened in July 2025 and remains active today.

Continue reading A Client Asks Us “There Are So Many Deck Inspection Companies, Aren’t They All The Same?” →

Watch Our Videos on TikTok, Insta & YouTube!

Did you know that we have a YouTube, Instagram and TikTok channel for you to keep up with us? Yep it’s true.

We post our latest videos first on TikTok. Follow us here  http://tiktok.com/@bill_leys_the_deckexpert

Then we generally post to YouTube a few days later. Follow us here https://youtube.com/@bill-leys-is-the-deck-expert?si=CkGOi5RC7ps4w_Z0

Soon after we post the videos to Instagram, follow us here https://www.instagram.com/wleyswaterproofingconsultants?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

We appreciate the outreach from so many people around the state who are appreciative of what we’re doing here at William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC!

If you don’t trust your balcony inspection report, if your balcony inspection company is pressuring you to take out special assessments, if your balcony inspection company also does repairs, you need to reach out to us today to help you defend against unethical immoral tactics designed to separate your HOA from its money. We perform second opinion inspections that can help an HOA determining if they got a good report or not.

Call today, I answer the phone personally! Bill Leys 805-801-2380

Personal service at affordable prices!

Bill Leys Gives an Update on CAI-CLAC’s Move to Fix SB326

Warning – language.

Termed controversial by one well known attorney in the HOA industry, Bill pulls no punches when it comes to seeing what’s going on and calling out the grifters that flooded the inspection market. We’ve made multiple complaints to state agencies, pissing off the bad apples, been sued to shut us up by POS pretend deck inspectors who use the bill to sucker HOAs into expensive repairs, we’re going to remain controversial and wear that label as a badge of pride.

Watch our video on our thoughts on  CLACs plans to fix SB326. We’ve seen so many issues, from insurance companies denying associations insurance coverage if they have structural issues with their EEEs, to banks denying buyers mortgages on condos with EEE issues to the grifters plaguing the balcony inspection industry using the bill to literally steal from HOAs.

Continue reading Bill Leys Gives an Update on CAI-CLAC’s Move to Fix SB326 →

Signal Hill Condo Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC To Coordinate Their SB 326 Inspection

  • Board Treasurer Says Our Detailed Proposal Stood Heads Above Competing Firms
  • Our Expertise & Guarantee That An Independent Structural Engineer Performs the Inspection Stands Out Over Other Firms

We’re happy to announce that we were selected to coordinate balcony inspections at a mid rise HOA in Signal Hill by the Board of Directors. Our detailed proposal and years of experience gave the Board of Directors the confidence that we were the best choice out of the five firms bidding.

Cantilevered Balcony at A Signal Hill Condo Association

We are so happy to hear strong praise like this as it reinforces our belief that we are one of the best qualified firms in the balcony inspection industry.  Our guarantee of no conflicts of interest, our guarantee that an independent structural engineer personally performs the inspection and that our 20+ years of prior experience in waterproofing as deck contractors is a deciding factor, along with competitive rates for Boards faced with enormous pressure to get in compliance with SB326’s requirements to inspect.

Let us show you why we are one of the best firms coordinating SB 326 inspections in the industry and let us earn your business with our professionalism and expertise. Get in touch today by calling 805-801-2380 and talk to Bill Leys with no obligation whatsoever.

Our best clients are educated clients!

Bill Leys Explains Why Job Site Visits are Essential For the Engineer to Determine How Many EEEs Must be  Inspected Under SB326

While on a property in Orange county I made this short video on why we walk properties before e give an HOA a bid on coordinating their SB 326 inspection.

Watch our short video as I explain why I want to walk your HOA before bidding your SB 326 inspection.

Article Written by Adrian Chiang Esq Leaves Zero Doubt About Who Can Inspect EEEs Under SB 326

This past week I got my quarterly issue of Channels Of Communication from the Channel Islands Cheaper of CAI. I was very excited to see that Adrian Chang of Swedelson Gottlieb had written an article on SB 326.

The article references who can inspect association balconies and other EEEs under SB326. Attorney Chiang lays it out with this answer to his own question,

“Who inspects the EEEs and what to expect?“


“A licensed architect or civil or structural engineer* must perform the work.

Continue reading Article Written by Adrian Chiang Esq Leaves Zero Doubt About Who Can Inspect EEEs Under SB 326 →

Follow Us! We’re Now On YouTube!

Yes it’s true, we have a YouTube channel that we will be bringing educational content too.

Our first video discusses who can inspect EEEs under SB326, what warning signs to watch for when considering inspectors and why William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC is a great choice for your inspections.

Be sure to subscribe to our channel and comments are always welcome!

Santa Ana HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC to Coordinate Their SB326 Inspections

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected by a large HOA in Santa Ana to coordinate their balcony inspections under SB326 requirements.

With over 100 EEEs to inspect the visual instruction will take apx 3 days of time to do, with 50+ 2nd & 3rd floor decks, numerous walkways and stair cases, the association knew it needed to select an independent unbiased inspector with the qualifications they required- no contractors allowed to bid, years of experience and a guaranteed structural engineer who actually is on site doing the structural inspections.

Numerous 2nd & 3rd floor decks will be accessed by ladder, minimizing disruption to the residents.
Numerous stairs with wood stringers are required to be inspected under SB326.

We are transparent and open to being questioned about our means and methods, our experience performing waterproofing observations and our ethics. We don’t bid on repairs that an HOA may need, we assist HOAs in getting specifications written and three bids from independent contractors who don’t do balcony inspections.

Contact us today for your free EEE evaluation and proposal for balcony inspections. Call 805-801-2380 ask for Bill.

Halloween is Coming, Watch Out for Contractors Masquerading as “Deck Inspectors”…

Watch out for monsters that are disguised as “Deck Inspectors” but are really contractors out to steal your HOAs money.

It’s almost Halloween and soon children will be out ringing doorbells for candy by saying trick or treat… And we’ll smile and admire their costumes and fill their bags with some treats and send them on their way.

HOAs are at risk every day of the year however from “trick or treaters” that are disguised as deck inspectors but are really contractors looking to empty your bank account. We’ve seen an uptick in complaints from several HOA managers and HOAs that the deck inspector they retained is now giving them a contract to repair the decks and it seems very high in price and has clauses in it that are onerous and very one sided.

How can you weed out these characters from your bid list and protect your HOAs from being fleeced? While nothing is guaranteed, there are ways to stop these hoodlums in their tracks. To start with, ask your bidders if they have any ownership or other interest in a construction or waterproofing company (we don’t). Ask that they sign a no conflicts of interest guarantee ( we do) and if they do have an ownership or other interest in a contracting company, decline to accept their bid.

Bidding on work after doing an inspection is a gross conflict of interest in our opinion and managers agree with us. Tell your CLAC representative that SB326 needs to be amended to eliminate the loopholes in the current bill. Tell them to ban inspectors from providing bids.

If we find work is needed at your Association, we assist you with writing scopes of work, qualifying 3 contractors to bid and ensure that you are receiving apples to apples bids.

We are open and upfront, if your deck inspector sends to be cagey or avoids answering your questions, you may be getting set up by a contractor.

Have questions? Send us an email with the contact box to the left and we’ll get started on giving you a free EEE evaluation and proposal for your deck inspections. Don’t wait, the deadline is fast approaching.

Another Satisfied Client Praises Our Knowledge

We love getting positive feedback, I mean who doesn’t?

We don’t ask our clients to review us or praise us, we think that’s kinda cheesy. However we love unsolicited emails like this one that came in today.

“Hello Bill, Thanks again for the work done with ABC HOA.  I’ve received high praise from the Board that they really respect your findings and knowledge of the inspection process.” Kevin HOA Manager

See the difference between William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC vs our competition and get in touch with us for a free EEE evaluation and proposal.

Guaranteed no conflicts of interest, competitive costs, award winning structural engineer and an expert ex Waterproofing contractor. Can they say that?

Contest us via the contact box to the left to get started.

 

Santa Barbara County HOA Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC For SB 326 Deck Inspections

We’re pleased to have been selected by an HOA in Santa Barbara County to perform their SB 326 balcony inspections.

The 32 unit association has walkways, stairs and exclusive use decks that need to be inspected, and after a competitive bidding process, selected us as the best qualified firm to perform the inspection.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC guarantees that we have no conflicts of interest in owning any waterproofing or construction firm and that an award winning structural engineer inspects the EEEs and as waterproofing experts, our inspection of flashings, waterproofing and related items gives Associations confidence knowing that they have retained a well qualified firm.

We invite you to experience the expertise that we offer as deck inspectors. Call us or email us using the contact us box today to get started.

Railing Failure Illustrates the Importance of Doing Balcony Inspections

A 9 year old child is lucky to be alive and only suffered some relatively minor injuries when the railing on a deck he was playing on gave way and he fell from the second story deck to the ground.

Our screen grabs from a TV news channel shows just how bad a shape the railing that still remains on the deck is in.

Stiles on the right side of the deck are obviously in poor condition. The whole front part of the railing is gone, indicating widespread dry-rot and likely improper fastening of the railing to the posts.
The remains of the railing lay below the upper deck.

I’ve seen similar railings like this in the past where a carpenter uses a nail in the top of the railing and one on the bottom to attach the stile. This method is not a very good method to achieve a 200 pound resistance to someone leaning against it, and especially for small children who are probably leaning on the stile’s themselves. These cheap wood stiles will often rot out in a few years from being exposed to water.

On one inspection I did at a property for sale, I kicked the wood stiles with a bit of minor force and the stiles failed. The seller was furious that I “damaged” his property, but I pointed out that if his grandchild leaned on that railing he likely would have fallen 15 feet to a concrete sidewalk below. My answer was I probably saved someone’s life, so fix it properly.

A better method of protecting occupants is to use pre built railings that are made of metal welded together in the factory.

Falls through railings are unfortunately a common occurrence, and many result in death or severe injuries. Years ago a Board member of a condo I managed fell through a dry-rotted railing while on vacation, after a few days he passed away from grievous injuries.

This is another example of why we inspect folks.

When it comes to life safety, don’t fool around folks, the reason we inspect is to prevent accidents.

If you are buying a property with decks and railings, have it inspected by an expert like ourselves before closing.

If you are an HOA get your decks inspected by the experts at William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC. We guarantee that we have no conflicts of interest and that we only work for the associations best interests.

HOA in Big Bear Selects William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC to Coordinate SB 326 Inspections on 90 Balconies & Stairs

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to coordinate a SB 326 inspection for a large HOA in Big Bear. With 90+ decks, stairs and landings the association knew they needed an expert with the experience to properly inspect their Exterior Elevated Elements.

The association manager found us through a referral from a fellow CAI manager, who told them about the positive experience they had with us.

William Leys Waterproofing Consultants LLC was selected to perform balcony inspections in Big Bear!

We invite you to experience the professional and experienced licensed structural engineers and waterproofing experts that make up our team. Reach out today for your free EEE evaluation and proposal.