Dr. Balcony Is Apparently Using 1099 "Handymen" To Perform Balcony Inspections & Repairs? It Looks Like It!

We were shocked when we saw the help wanted listings at Dr Balcony's website and read the job description for a "Field Operator" who according to the job description would be performing balcony inspections under SB326 and SB721. Update, 2/24/25 the advertisement for handyman balcony inspectors has disappeared, hmm we wonder why?

At first the job description sounds okay and one of the responsibilities described is to perform thorough inspections of balconies and also to conduct necessary repairs and maintenance on balconies. Where it gets shocking though is under their requirements for this job, which actually is not a job...

On page 2 of the job description they want you to have proven experience as a "handyman" along with experience in balcony inspections and repairs. I personally have never met a handyman that has any inkling of how to waterproof a deck or fix it, never mind properly inspect it for the purpose of saving lives. Dr Balcony has no requirement for having any license listed in their help washed ad, so we ask, are unlicensed handymen are who they're looking to contract with to inspect critical life/safety areas such as decks and walkways? It's looks like it. We ask, Seriously?

And as we said this is not a job it is a contract position where as this listing says, you will be a 1099 employee and be paid $280 a day plus gas reimbursement according to the benefits section. You will also be required to have your own insurance coverage as well as your own vehicle and valid driver's license you will be working independently and manage your own schedule.

Those terms are there to try to allow Dr. Balcony to say that you are an independent contractor. However they are going to assign you a job and you are going to have to do the job on the dates that they have agreed to do it with for the association. We're not lawyers, but in our opinion, from what we have read that is not an independent contractor position it is an employee position and Dr Balcony appears to be seeking to evade paying payroll taxes. California law is very clear about who is an employee and who can be classified as an independent contractor. 

If you are independently contracting with Dr Balcony you will get a 1099 and you will have to pay taxes including social security to the government and for $35 an hour, you are also paying your own insurance and your vehicle costs. In our opinion that is giving away your labor. Our opinion is this is a bad deal for an independent contractor. This type of arrangement should be paying around $75 to $90 per hour in our opinion. 

While this is bad on so many ways, the worst part is that HOAs who believe that they are getting experienced inspectors with an engineer on site performing the inspection themselves are instead getting contract laborers who may not have the experience required to be able to determine if there are life safety issues involved on the EEE they are inspecting.

To be fair Dr Balcony does have an advertisement looking for a junior civil engineer to do inspections as well, however the job position requirements do not show the need to have a license. An engineer who recently graduated from school would become an engineer in training working under a licensed civil or structural engineer.  Our understanding from working with Engineers is that a unlicensed engineer may not perform the inspection without a licensed engineer being present and overseeing the work.

if the report they issue  is signed by an engineer, but that engineer didn't perform the inspection,  is it a valid report under sb326? This is why it is so important to qualify your inspector and be sure that they are absolutely qualified under the bill. We know multiple companies that are licensed Structural Engineers or architects who work in tandem with waterproofing experts who write supplemental reports that are appended to the engineer or architects report. We know several structural engineering companies that also do their own waterproofing inspections and write a report. These reports in our opinion are a valid report that meets the requirements of 326.

All in all, I believe that HOAs are being ripped off by unethical people. Does your HOA want "handymen" doing it's life safety critical inspections instead of an experienced engineer? I think the answer is clearly no. 

HOAs must protect themselves against these kind of inspectors who look good on paper or the Internet now a days, but behind the scenes, in our opinion, are cheating you. I have to ask, are these handymen acting as engineers without holding an engineers license? 

An Officer of Balcony 1 Was Forced to Resign As an Officer After A CSLB Investigation Found He Falsely Certified a Contractors License Applicants Work Experience

One Structural dba Retrofit 1 Escapes Having a CSLB Complaint Disclosure on its License After Daniel Zilberberg Resigns as an Officer. From what we see, Balcony 1 is/ was misrepresenting that they are licensed by CSLB by posting the license number on their website and vehicles.

 • An ugly lawsuit by an ex- employee claimed that Daniel Zilberberg broke an oral agreement to set up a business partnership with him. 

• Daniel Zilberberg was found, by way of a CSLB investigation to have conspired with Samuel Torayson to falsify an application to the CSLB by lying about their experience as a "journeyman" in order to obtain a contractors license that Samuel Torayson wasn't qualified to obtain. Otherwise known as fraud. 

• CSLB in it's accusation claims a confidential settlement between Zilberberg and Torayson subverted cooperation with the Board. 

• Zilberberg was forced to resign as an officer and the other officers of One Structural resigned, leaving David Tashroudian as the sole member of the company. 

When a business relationship goes south it can get ugly really quickly and in this case it's really ugly. The lesson for Daniel Zilberberg, James Michaelson and David Tashroudian is don't screw your business associates else they will seek to screw you right back.

Daniel Zilberberg learned this lesson the hard way, when after torpedoing a business relationship with a gentleman named Christopher Kirksey, who Zilberberg induced to move to Northern California to be the territory manager for Repipe 1 in the Bay area, Kirksey was fired after Zilberberg apparently reneged on the deal for a business partnership.

Kirksey then apparently  complained to the CSLB about Zilberberg committing fraud on a license application. Kirksey's complaint to CSLB was about Zilberberg apparently falsifying the  experience in the plumbing trade when an employee applied for a contractors license.. Kirksey also filed suit against Zilberberg citing Breach of Partnership Agreement, Breach of Contract, Fraud, Negligent Representation, Constructive Fraud and Breach of Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing plus several other allegations.

Apparently Samuel Torayson, an employee of Daniel Zilberberg, was directed by Zilberberg to apply for a plumber's license with the CSLB. Zilberberg signed a statement on a certificate in support of the Torayson's experience to enable that employee to qualify for a license. Zilberberg apparently stated that his employee had four years of plumbing experience when in fact Torayson was a clerical staff person with the title of accounts receivable. The complaint alleged that Torosyan had never been employed as a plumber laborer or apprentice in the field of plumbing and that Zilberberg falsified the certification as part of a larger scheme to avoid providing health care to some of his employees.

Accusation. CSLB Order click the links to the CSLB website to read and download these documents. 

The CSLB performed its investigation and determined that Daniel Zilberberg had indeed falsely signed certificates under penalty of perjury, in support of the applicants experience qualifications and that he also interfered with the board's investigation by having Christopher Kirksey sign a confidential settlement agreement that subverted cooperation with the board. As a result of the confidentiality provision, the investigation of the respondent by the board was subverted and that also became part of the accusation against Zilberberg as interfering with an investigation is a no-no.

The CSLB also investigated Samuel Torayson and his license application as a result of a whistle blower complaint. The investigation found that Torayson indeed falsified his application in a conspiracy with Daniel Zilberberg to commit fraud. Torayson's contractors license has been revoked.

Because there were multiple officers listed on the license, CSLB required most of them to sign a stipulated settlement agreement that enabled Structural One DBA Balcony One to escape having a complaint disclosure listed on their license.

Kirksey apparently settled his suit against Zilberberg for an unknown amount, his suit which we have a copy of, sought $200,000 in damages plus any additional cost to be proven at trial. The cslb found that zilberberg's confidentiality agreement prohibited Kirksey's cooperation with the board and its investigation of zilberberg. A provision of this nature is void as it is against public policy.

As a result of the CSLB investigation, the officers of Repipe 1 DBA Retrofit 1 all signed a stipulated settlement agreement with the CSLB, including James Patrick Michaelson, David Tashroudian and Daniel Zilberberg. After this matter was settled with CSLB, James Michaelson apparently voluntarily disassociated from Balcony 1 in 2021 and Daniel Zilberberg disassociated as per the stipulated settlement in 2020. A Timothy Parker who is listed as a RME disassociated in September of 2020 as well. Parker is not named in the accusation or the settlement between the cslb and repipe one.

Daniel Zilberberg's licenses have complaint disclosures listed on them, the licenses being under Ultimate Builders Inc DBA Repipe 1 license number 927892 which is active and a license listed as Daniel Zilberberg license #816016 also listed as active. Zilberberg also agreed to repay the CSLB $9000+ for investigative costs the Board incurred. Zilberberg will make payments of $300+ a month for several years.

All in all this is a sordid affair and indicative of why one should really consider whether to do business with any of these firms. Balcony 1 actually uses the license number of Structural 1 Restoration on their vehicles, which appears to violate CSLB regulations as the name is not correctly used. If you get a sb326 report from balcony one you want to ensure that it has been signed by a civil or structural engineer or an architect not by David Tashroudian as he is not allowed to sign these reports, he can only sign SB721 reports as a licensed B contractor.

UPDATE! AT APX 4 PM ON THURSDAY 12/5/24 Daniel Zilberberg called me from telephone number 818-481-2627 and directly threatened me that he would sue me and I had better watch it.

Several specific threat's  from Daniel included       "I'll spend a hundred thousand dollars to sue you if you don't remove this post."    "I'm going to slander you on Balcony one's website."   "Go fuck your Mom motherfucker." "Better watch yourself"

Hey Daniel, First, you dialed me without blocking your number, so now I have a traceable link to you. Don't drink and drunk dial.

Second I think that's the best thing you can do is threaten to post something about me on balcony ones website  and draw more attention to this whole thing.  

Thirdly, we will offer you the opportunity to tell us what is slander or libel as you say that we have published on this post. Your failure to identify what you feel is slander and back up your claim with provable facts that we can trace, then our documents and opinions shall remain published.

Fourth, We are well familiar with defending against unsustainable claims of slander and libel when the law in California protects journalists against slapp lawsuits. Go ahead and use the word libel or slander in your suit and we will slap you back with an anti-slapp claim. I understand that you don't like this post, however, we downloaded the accusation and order from CSLB, downloaded the lawsuit documents from Contra Costa county, so let us know what's not correct so we can correct it. Offers to correct are defensible in court so you better come up with proof of something that I said isn't correct. Otherwise you won't have much of a case. Ask Tash.

Thanks Bill Leys 

Deck expert, explain why it is unethical for a company to come back in and say they will beat the lowest price received by an HOA seeking balcony inspection proposals by 20% when they should have been the lowest price if they were really competitive in the HOA market

What you’re describing raises serious ethical concerns in competitive bidding — especially in HOA contracts — because it undermines fairness, transparency, and the integrity of the procurement process.

Here’s why it’s problematic:

1. It Undermines the Integrity of Sealed Competitive Bidding

In a true competitive bid process (especially HOAs), bids are supposed to be:

Submitted independently

Final at the time of opening

Based on the bidder’s best price

If a company says after the fact that it will “be 20% lower than the lowest bid,” that suggests:

They did not submit their true best price initially, or

They are attempting to undercut competitors after seeing their pricing.

That defeats the purpose of sealed bidding.

Here's an example of an unethical company 

2. It Suggests Price Shopping or Bid Manipulation

If a bidder can revise downward after seeing competitors’ numbers, that creates:

An uneven playing field,

Incentive to intentionally submit a safe/high bid first

Post-opening negotiations disguised as competition,

This can amount to:

Bid shopping

Bid peddling

Or even collusive practices

On HOA projects, that can violate not only procurement rules but potentially antitrust principles enforced by state authorities.

3. It Violates the “Lowest Responsible Bidder” Principle

HOAs typically award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder — not to whoever negotiates lowest after bids are opened.

Allowing a bidder to say “we’ll be 20% lower than whoever wins”:

Turns a sealed bid into a negotiation

Potentially invalidates the entire bidding process

Opens the  HOA to protest or legal challenge

Courts have repeatedly held that material post-bid modifications are improper in public procurement law, HOAs may be similar.

4. It Suggests the Initial Bid from the Company Was Not Genuine

If a company can instantly drop 20%, that raises questions:

Was the first number inflated?

Are they desperate for backlog?

Are they planning change orders later to recover margin or overcharge for engineering work? 

This damages trust.

5. It Encourages a Race to the Bottom

Ethically, competitive markets are supposed to reward:

Efficient operations

Accurate cost estimating

Honest pricing

Not:

Tactical undercutting after seeing competitors’ numbers

A bidder who holds back their real price until they know the benchmark is gaming the system — not competing fairly.

6. It Can Harm the Owner

If a contractor drops 20% after bids open, the owner should ask:

Where is that 20% coming from?

Quality cuts?

Scope reductions?

Future change orders?

A dramatically lowered price can signal:

Underbidding to win

Intent to recover profit later

That creates project risk.

In HOA/condominium settings, boards typically operate under fiduciary duties imposed by state nonprofit and common interest development laws (for example, in California under the Davis‑Stirling Common Interest Development Act).

Here’s why a “we’ll beat the lowest bid by 20%” statement is ethically problematic in that context:

1. It Undermines Fair Competition

If proposals were requested as competitive submissions, each vendor is expected to submit:

Their best pricing

Their honest scope

Their real cost structure

If a company later says, “We’ll be 20% below whoever is lowest,” it suggests:

Their initial proposal was not their true market price

They were waiting to see competitors’ pricing

They are now negotiating based on inside knowledge

That distorts the competitive process.

2. It Puts the Board at Risk of Breaching Its Fiduciary Duty

HOA boards have fiduciary duties of:

Good faith

Fair dealing

Acting in the association’s best interest

If a board allows post-proposal price manipulation after reviewing other bids, it may expose itself to claims that it:

Did not run a fair process

Favored a bidder

Allowed improper negotiation

Owners could argue the board failed to exercise business judgment properly.

3. It Suggests Strategic Underbidding

A sudden 20% reduction raises serious questions:

Was the first price inflated?

Is the vendor desperate for backlog?

Will they attempt to recover margin via change orders?

Will service quality suffer?

In professional services (roof inspections, engineering, reserve studies, etc.), quality degradation is a real risk when pricing drops sharply.

4. It Creates Appearance of Impropriety

Even if technically allowed in a private setting, it creates:

Appearance of back-channel communication

Perception that one bidder had access to competitor pricing

Distrust among owners

Perception matters in HOA governance.

5. It Encourages a “Race to the Bottom” Culture

Professional services rely on:

Competence

Insurance coverage

Licensing

Time allocation

If firms compete by slashing margins after bids are opened, the market shifts toward:

Underpricing

Corner-cutting

Higher long-term risk

That ultimately harms associations.

6. It Signals That the Initial Proposal Was Not Submitted in Good Faith

Ethically, competitive proposals are supposed to represent:

“This is our best offer under the stated scope.”

If a company can instantly go 20% lower, that suggests:

The first proposal was strategic padding

Or they never intended it to be final

That weakens trust.

Important Distinction

Because this is not a public entity, it may not violate procurement law unless:

The RFP prohibited post-submission negotiation

The governing documents require sealed bidding

Or there was misrepresentation

But ethically, it still undermines transparency.

A Smarter Ethical Approach (If Negotiation Is Allowed)

If the association wants to negotiate, the ethical way is:

Notify all bidders that negotiation is occurring

Allow all bidders equal opportunity to submit revised proposals

Avoid disclosing competitor pricing

That preserves fairness.

Is Your Association Ready For SB410? Is Your Balcony Inspection Company?

January 1st is almost upon us and every year in California we see new laws come into effect on the first of the year and this year is no different.

Notably for HOAs and balcony inspection companies SB 410 will take effect on January 1st and impose certain requirements on HOAs and on balcony inspection companies.

For HOA Boards of Directors, you are affected in several ways; the first being that SB326 reports are now considered to be HOA records, which means an owner can request and review them at any time. Secondly, reports cannot be withheld or redacted and third sellers of a common interest development property now must provide buyers with the most recent SB326 inspection report.

In regards to inspection companies, their reports must include as of January 1st, the date of the inspection, the total number of units in the community. How many exterior elevated elements there are? And I think it would be a good idea to break down how many of each type there are IE stairs versus balcones versus walkways. How many units have exterior elevated elements? How many exterior elevated elements were inspected and whether any safety concerns were identified.

Our engineering partner is already in compliance with these requirements and so we are ready to forge ahead and set the bar with our superior inspections and inspection reports.

Lastly But probably the most important part of sb410 is the requirement for HOAs to have an engineer issue a final report after repairs are made to life safety issues. This final report is needed to be able to enable buyers of property obtain mortgages and sellers of properties to be able to sell without undue delay. Personally, I expect that we will see legal claims brought against HOAs that fail to obtain final inspection reports and unnecessarily delay there homeowners to be able to close a sale.

As always, this is not legal advice. Please obtain the advice of your HOA attorney related to SB 410 sb326 and any other bills that may affect common interest developments related to balcony inspections.

Solar Panels for Balconies? They're Coming!

Coming soon to your condo or apartment balcony are solar panels designed to be attached to railings with a minimum of fuss. That's right, according to an article in The Guardian, small solar panels with a power inverter will be coming to the US market in the near future. 

These small panels may not provide all the power your apartment or condo uses, but they will provide enough power to reduce your electric bill.

BRIGHT SAVER,  a San Francisco based company is one of the solar companies bringing solar panels sized to fit your balcony or backyard, has some exciting offers such as Black Friday deals (offer expires soon) low interest financing and more to get solar into your home and start reducing your power bills. 

Reach out to Bright Saver for a quote and get started today on reducing expensive electric bills. 

Do you have balcony solar already? We'd love to hear from you about how it's going. Email us at Deck.Expert@gmail.com , your story and photos welcome! 

AGOURA HILLS BASED LORDON HOA MANAGEMENT DECLARES BANKRUPTCY

From The Acorn, an Agoura Hills publication, Lordon Management has filed for bankruptcy 

"Lordon Management, a Southern California-based family-owned company that represents, among others, the Lake Lindero, Annandale, and Liberty Canyon neighborhoods of Agoura Hills as part of its 200-member California HOA portfolio, filed for bankruptcy Nov. 3 in the Central District of California. It lists between 50 and 99 creditors to whom it owes nearly $15 million in judgments, wages, products and services. The company, which has offices in Covina, Camarillo and Tustin, lists assets between $500,000 and $1 million. The business could not be reached for comment. Lordon was also the property manager for the Agoura Hills Morrison Ranch HOA until a breakup between the two a few years ago."

Read the whole article here

 Key HOA management company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy https://share.google/Hitl3fZPHWwMoBlVe

EMPIREWORKS AND THE DIRTY TRICKS THEY USE TO LURE HOA'S INTO A FINANCIAL TRAP.

We had a conversation with a concerned member of an HOA over the last couple days and his concern was regarding empire works + the contract that they propose to make repairs to his association's decks in Ventura County. Watch my video at our YouTube channel here at the link below.

https://youtu.be/h6Z4eb7IMa0?si=H6HY2UTkiEsx1Mjq  

From a newsletter posted at the association. 

A Google review shows one angry client who felt Empireworks is running a scam. 

the contract appeared to be open-ended with numerous exclusions + when he attended his board meeting last night, he found that empire works had actually waived the fee for the stage 1 inspection provided they performed the repair work on the balconies.

this should be a clear warning sign, but the association thought that it was a good deal until they came up against a million dollar bill and having to pass a special assessment. This is why contractors need to be banned from bidding on repairs at associations they inspect.

It turns out that empire works is using an architect who although he's licensed In California, he actually lives in Tennessee. which means that he is robo signing their reports and he admits as much in his cover letter by saying Empireworks performed the inspection.

326 needs to be amended to ban inspectors from bidding on repairs.

We're Back and Ready to Bring New Content To You!

DeckExpert.com vis a vis  this blog is coming back soon! New content and blog posts are coming! Stay tuned and get ready! 

R Brothers Waterproofing Has POS Victim Blaming Lawyers

When I read %&@! like this I want to hit something! From the Irish Times  article found here http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/berkeley-victims-may-have-contributed-to-balcony-collapse-1.2597039

“The plaintiffs and/or cross-complainants’ own carelessness and negligence may have proximately contributed to the events and damages complained of..."   

Those are the words in a filing from R Brothers Waterproofing attorneys on why the balcony in Berkeley collapsed last year, killing 6 people and leaving seven more with serious injuries and a lifetime of horror. 

It gets worse, R Brothers lawyers is trying to blame everyone else too - here they throw the architect under the bus. They may have a point but you don't follow shitty plans either...

 "R Brothers Waterproofing also claims the “designs of others” that it had no responsibility for were to blame for the injuries complained of.

“This answering defendant did not select, design or approve the allegedly defective components,” it says under the heading of “causation”.

It also said it had no notice of any alleged defects and that the injuries alleged “were caused by third parties’ deficient work or products”.

So in California when one is looking at plans and one knows, as the licensed expert waterproofing contractor that they are, that the design is wrong, you don't bid it. Secondly if it did slip by that the design was wrong and you did bid it, when you got to the job and saw what you were doing, you stop and don't do the work until an RFI is made and a decision is issued by the architect and the general contractor. R Brothers apparently covered wet substrate with moisture trapping membranes and wants to say they aren't responsible? 

So if R Brothers is saying this detail is wrong, why did
they apparently follow it? Inquiring minds want to know. 

Even worse, they say in their filing if we are found negligent, it's secondary to others negligence...excuse me but WTF? 

I see it fairly simply-you check the moisture content of your plywood with a simple moisture meter. If it's higher than 14-16% then you say can't do it...and the problem is especially compounded when/if it was a double layer of OSB that's soaking wet. It would take weeks of dry weather if ever to get that moisture content down to acceptable levels. 

Simple moisture meter gives a general reading of the moisture content
of the plywood I have the probes pushed into. The moisture content
is to high for applying a coating to right now so this wood needs
to dry more. 

Bottom line, the attorneys are POS scumbags IMO for even suggesting the victims had anything to do with their deaths and injuries. 

BREAKING NEWS-No Criminal Charges in Berkeley Deck Tragedy Case

Just saw in several tweets from @mgafni that the Alameda DA's office announced after nine months of investigation that no charges will be filed for criminal actions by the parties involved in building the deck that fell last summer.

If you recall, six died and seven Irish summer worker college students were injured after they fell 40+ feet to a concrete sidewalk in Berkeley last summer when a rotted balcony gave way. The images of that scene were horrible and left lasting wounds on the rescuers and survivors.

The DA's office seized the fallen balcony and made it evidence from a crime scene. After investigating the case, no criminal charges will be filed, leaving civil action as the only real recourse. Although criminal intent was not found, it's probably going to be easier to show negligence and construction defects for the plaintiff's attorneys. Civil suits have been filed by attorney's against the builder and the subs as well as the management company and others.

Watch for further news on the Berkeley case in the future as the civil cases move ahead.

JLC LIVE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SHOW IS COMING NEXT MONTH-Get My Speakers Discount or Free Admission to the Hall

See you in Portland Oregon next month for the JLC Live! Residential Construction Show. There will be tons of great speakers and educators on all subjects of construction. There's tons of great brew pubs around, great food, great city so take a few days off first week of December and join me and the JLC Live crew!

GET MY SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER BY USING MY CODE SK15!

These Words Should Send a Chill Down The Building Industries Back!

Maybe you didn't feel it, but on November 12th, the building industry was shaken up. Hard, like they got punched, and punched and punched. The law firm of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is representing Aoife Beary and another party who are suing for damages from the result of the balcony collapsing on June 16th of this year.  

The suit asks for damages, enough to make an example out of the defendants, enough so THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN! Every person involved in building decks, especially cantilevered, are now on notice that it better be done perfectly and correctly. OR YOU WILL PAY. Remember to, the DA's office is investigating this too and criminal charges may still come!

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID! 

NO OSB SHOULD BE EVER USED! THIS LIST OF ALLEGATIONS IS A LIST
OF EVERY DECK PROBLEM I SEE ALL THE TIME

So here you are building industry, property management industry, design industry etc; start designing, building, sequencing and use the right materials cause the deaths of these poor kids WILL NOT BE IN VAIN! READ THIS LIST, IT'S JUST A WHO'S WHO OF THE SINS I SEE DURING INSPECTIONS AND WHEN I WAS WATERPROOFING DECKS! 

LESSON-IF YOU SCREW UP AND PEOPLE DIE, YOU PROBABLY WILL GO TO JAIL AND PAYA WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, AND HAVE TO LIVE WITH THOSE THAT DIED ON YOUR CONSCIENCE. 

NOT WORTH IT, DO IT RIGHT, IT ONLY COSTS A LITTLE MORE THAN DOING IT WRONG. 

From Contra Costa Times- Lawsuits Filed By Victims and Families of Berkeley Deck Collapse

Prior complaints by tenants about mushrooms growing out of balcony allegedly ignored.

Reporter Thomas Peele's (@Thomas_Peele) latest article on the Berkeley deck tragedy reports that the families and victims of the deck collapse have filed a lawsuit alleging some of the defendants named in the suit knew of problems with the deck after it was built and the building occupied. Other defendants allegedly "deliberately ignored" the plans for the deck.

"BERKELEY -- Tenants of a Berkeley apartment had complained to building managers for weeks that mushrooms were growing on a wooden balcony before it collapsed during a party in July, plummeting six people to their deaths, lawsuits filed Thursday allege.

But their complaints were ignored, survivors and families of the victims claim in a negligence lawsuit that alleges the building owners and construction company could have prevented the tragedy."

Read the whole article here- http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29110468/berkeley-tenants-reported-signs-rot-weeks-before-deadly

The allegations, if proved true, would leave many of the named parties at risk of being exposed to millions of dollars in liability costs.

I'll say it once again, decks must be built using best building practices and with the highest degree of skill and materials available, not the most cost effective, cheapest materials and labor. If successful, this lawsuit may just change the way builders hire sub-contractors-today the cheapest wins, the most responsible skilled contractor loses. It's time for a change.

Get Trained On Your Job Site to Install Metal Lath Decking Systems By The Deck Expert!

Smart Contractors Are Learning This Highly Prized Skill & Putting Additional Profits In Their Pockets, Instead of Giving It Away

Want to add more skills to the services you already offer? Learn to install the largest selling deck coating systems from me, the Deck Expert, Bill Leys. I have over 12 years of experience and can teach you about selling, estimating and installing a metal lath deck coating system. 

 

ON THE JOB OVER SITE!
Former authorized applicator of Desert Crete, Pli-Deck, Mer-Kote, Dex-O-Tex + more!

 I'll be on the job with you as I was here in Mariposa recently, teaching a contractor how to install a Desert Crete system. I can teach you how to install Life Deck AL system, Mer-Kote Shur Deck and Weather Deck System (former Mer-Kote approved applicator) Westcoat ALX, Pli-Dek and Desert Crete systems among the many available. 

You'll get help in estimating the job, sourcing materials, tips on selling the job and then when it's sold, I come to the job with the specialized tools to help you professionally train and learn to install the system. 

You'll learn about flashing decks, including at doors, edges and walls. 

 The tips and tricks it' has taken me 12 years to acquire are handed down to you! I teach you the secrets experienced installers know. 

I'll teach you the tips and trcks I've learned from 12 years in the field!

 We'll spend time at the back of the truck having discussions and teaching your crew on tools, procedures, safety and more, then we'll be on the deck installing a system from start to finish!

You'll learn how to apply simple finishes that will impress your clients. 

Our clients job in Mariposa turned out great and so will yours! I give you follow up telephone support free! Call today and start on your way to learning how to install a metal lath decking system! I service all of California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. 

Call Bill at 805-801-2380 or send me an email to Bill at centralcoastwaterproofing.com 

See our articles in Journal of Light Construction, Professional Deck Builder & more!

Anything Wood Decks Can Do, Concrete Can Do Better!

Here's an example of what a concrete decking system can look like...Wood...only better than wood because it will never rot, it won't need to be sanded stained and sealed every year and it will never put a splinter into your foot.

This walking deck system, with a SuperKrete stained stamped finish is perfect for your deck, balcony,  concrete patio or roof deck!

Find your perfect deck at DeckExpert.com today.

Looks like wood, but it's concrete! 

Bill Leys of DeckExpert.com To Present at JLC Live in Portland OR Dec 3, 2015

Appearing for a 6th time at JLC Live is DeckExpert.com's Bill Leys!

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be back again at JLC Live! Residential Construction Show for my 6th appearance. This year I'll be presenting two seminars Best Practices for Framing and Waterproofing Pedestrian Roof Decks and Stairs and Principles of Waterproofing Concrete and CMU Foundations and Slabs.

JLC Live Residential Construction Show is celebrating it's 20th year this year and so there should be some good reasons to come again to Portland and not just use good beer as an excuse to go. 

The final schedule of speakers and dates/times is being finalized so check the website frequently at   http://nw.jlclive.com/Attendee/Home to sign up and lock in early bird deals. Watch my twitter feed @deck_expert for specials too.

Come see why 90% of attendees come away rating my seminar as "excellent" 

Cigarette Believed to Be Trigger of Massive Condo Fire

A safety expert believes a cigarette is to blame for sparking a massive fire on a deck on a condo in Florida. We recommend the use of fire resistant Class A rated solid surface decking over wood and synthetics for superior protection.

Watch the news clip below

 

Fire Pit Ignites Wood Deck - 60K in Damages is The Result

DO NOT USE FIRE PITS ON DECKS! DO NOT USE FIRE PITS ON DECKS! 

A family escaped with smoke damage to the interior and about 60k in dagaes to their deck and exterior of the home when embers from a fire pit on the wood deck apparently were blown out onto the deck. The deck ignited and the siding did to. Lucky these people weren't killed...

From wkbn.com 

"The Girard Fire Department says the family had been burning wood in a fire pit on the wooden deck on Sunday night. They believe that wind may have kicked up an ember in the ashes and started the blaze."

Watch the TV report here 

Connecticut Bans Grills on Decks and Balconies at Multi-Family Complexes

A good first step to helping prevent fires and loss of property and life...Connecticut banned using propane and gas grills on decks.

From the Hartford Courant-
A little-noticed change in the newly revised Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code, which took effect May 7, prohibits the use and storage of any type of grill or cooking device on decks, beneath overhangs or within 10 feet of the building.

Read the article at the link below. 

http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-no-grills-law-20150730-story.html

Fire That Appears to Have Started on a Deck Kills Dog, Destroys Home in Washington

A fire consumes a home in Washington state. 
Early reports indicate the fire began on the deck. 
The family lost their home and a pet dog as a result.
Photo KREM.com 

Please, don't grill or smoke on your deck. That's the advice we keep giving and sadly, not a day goes by without a report of a grill or cigarettes starting the fire. We recommend solid surface decking systems that are Class A fire retardant. Read more on our website.