Balcony Inspection In Florida By Certified Pros

A balcony inspection, or DBPR HR-7020 certification inspection as it is otherwise called, is mandatory assessment required for hotels, Airbnbs, etc., that’s three stories or taller.

Herein, any balcony, landing, or porch that’s accessible to and used by the public is thoroughly inspected to ensure that it’s structurally sound and safe to use. Also, based on how satisfactory the inspection report is, a DBPR HR-7020 certification is issued to the property owners.

If you own or operate a “public lodging establishment” in Florida that’s either transient (rented for less than 30 days) or non-transient (rented for more than 30 days) in nature, you’ll need balcony inspections.

For instance, any hotel, motel, or Airbnb in Florida needs to have a balcony inspection. In all, you’ll need to conduct a mandatory balcony inspection as per Florida balcony inspection requirements if your building falls in the following categories:

• It is three stories or taller
• The balcony is 17 feet above ground level
• It’s been three years since the last inspection
• You’ve just bought or leased the property

Yes, there certainly are exemptions from compulsory balcony inspections.

Here are some examples of buildings that don’t need a DBPR HR-7020 inspection:

• Dormitories in public or private schools, colleges, and universities.
• Any building that hosts a fcacity run by either the Department of Children and Families or the Agency for Health Care Administration.
• The Department of Health run migrant housing and camps.
• Nonprofits offering housing to patients, caregivers, etc.
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development run buildings.
• Condo buildings that have less than four units regularly put up for rent. (Note: These condos still need to conduct necessary building inspections).

According to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), you can hire any licensed inspector who’s competent to conduct balcony inspections.And this includes engineers, general contractors, architects, etc., who’re licensed in the state of Florida.

Looking for the right balcony inspector?

We are a team of licensed building inspectors with over two decades of experience. Get in touch with us and receive a free quote for your inspection project.

Balcony inspections usually look at the following areas: decking, wall attachments, ledger boards, railings, fasteners, and stairwells.

It is necessary to get your building inspected at regular intervals and keep everything safe and up to the mark.

That’s because if the balcony inspector is not satisfied with safety compliance during a DBPR HR-7020 inspection, they’ll list it in their report. And legally this can result in the closure of the facility.

Apart from DBPR HR-7020 inspections for balconies, we also offer the following services:

• Property condition assessments (informally called commercial building inspections)
• Property maintenance inspections for quality and safety standards
• NNN lease inspections
• Phase 1 & Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments

As per the DBPR HR-7020 requirements, decks and balconies in public lodging establishments, among others, need to be inspected every three years.

For instance, let’s say the last balcony inspection for your commercial building was carried out in 2021. In this case, your building will be due for an inspection in 2024.

A balcony inspector assesses the various load-bearing components which are responsible for keeping the balcony securely attached to the building. This includes the decking, wall attachments, ledger board, fasteners, and stairwells.

Also, they will inspect the balcony railing to check whether or not it is secure and up to standards.

Now, an inspector will look for signs of visible damages like cracks, missing screws, loose railings, etc. Also, they will keep an eye on potential structural weaknesses.

A balcony inspection is absolutely essential after every three years. So, if it’s been three years since the last DBPR HR-7020 inspection, it’s about time you schedule one.

Also, apart from the standard three year timeline, you can schedule annual balcony inspections for additional safety.

Balcony inspection requirements are clearly outlined in the DBPR rules and include:

• It should only be carried out by qualified professionals like engineers or architects who are licensed in the state of Florida.
• It should be carried out every three years.
• It should be carried out in all public lodging establishments such as hotels, motels, vacation rentals, nontransient apartments, transient apartments, timeshare projects, bed and breakfast inns.

No, it isn’t.

You see, balconies are separate structures connected to the main building structure. In fact, balconies need not be connected to the building structure either if they’re supported by vertical pillars or posts.

So, you can think of a balcony as an independent external structure.

The exact cost of balcony inspection depends on multiple factors. This includes the size of individual balconies, number of balconies being inspected, accessibility to the balconies’ outer structure, etc.

Also, the size and location of your property plays a major role in deciding overall balcony inspection cost.

However, for an estimate, you can pay between $1,250 and $2,500 for standard motel or AirBNB balcony inspection. And this can go over $5,000 for a hotel or apartment.

A balcony inspection report is valid for three years from the date for inspection. Meaning, the inspection’s findings or suggestions will not be valid after the three year timeline and you’ll need to obtain a new inspection report.

If you own a public lodging establishment, it is your responsibility to get a timely DBPR HR-7020 inspection. As such, it is you who will pay for the inspection as well as any subsequent repairs or renovations.