Special Inspection Services in Los Angeles
Concrete, post-tension, epoxy anchors, masonry, shear walls and soils — every special inspection your project needs, from one independent, certified team.
What Is Special Inspection?
Special inspection is independent, on-site verification that the critical structural parts of your building are built exactly as your engineer designed them. It is required by Chapter 17 of the California Building Code and enforced by LADBS and other local building departments.
Your approved plans include a Statement of Special Inspections that lists every inspection your project needs. A Deja Vu deputy inspector performs each one, checks the work against the approved plans and records it in a signed daily report — so your city inspector has what they need to sign off.
Who Needs It?
- ✓ Multifamily, mixed-use and commercial buildings
- ✓ ADUs and single-family homes with engineered structural elements
- ✓ Soft-story and seismic retrofits
- ✓ Hillside foundations, retaining walls and grading projects
Our Special Inspection Services
Select a service to see exactly what we inspect.
Concrete & Rebar Special Inspection
Rebar, pour observation and cylinder sampling.
See details →Post-Tension & Prestressed Concrete Inspection
Tendon placement, stressing and elongations.
See details →Epoxy & Drilled-In Anchor (DIA) Inspection
Post-installed anchors per ICC-ES reports.
See details →Structural Masonry Inspection
CMU reinforcement, grout and prisms.
See details →Wood Framing & Shear Wall Inspection
Nailing, hold-downs and lateral systems.
See details →Grading, Soils & Compaction Testing
Nuclear-gauge density testing and grading.
See details →Materials Sampling & Testing
Cylinders, prisms, coring and rebar tests.
See details →Drone Site Documentation
FAA-licensed aerial progress records.
See details →Concrete & Rebar Special Inspection
Before and during every structural pour, we verify reinforcing steel, embeds and the concrete itself against your approved plans — and sample the concrete for strength testing.
Post-Tension & Prestressed Concrete Inspection
PT slabs leave no room for error. We verify tendon placement and profile before the pour, then witness stressing and record elongations after it.
Epoxy & Drilled-In Anchor (DIA) Inspection
Post-installed anchors only perform when they are installed exactly per their ICC-ES evaluation report. We inspect every step, from the drilled hole to the final torque.
Structural Masonry Inspection
From the first course to the final grout lift, we confirm CMU walls are built, reinforced and grouted to your structural drawings.
Wood Framing & Shear Wall Inspection
Shear walls and hold-downs keep wood buildings standing in an earthquake. We verify nailing, hardware and assemblies before they are covered.
Grading, Soils & Compaction Testing
Every structure depends on the ground beneath it. We observe grading and test fill compaction in the field with our own nuclear density gauge.
Materials Sampling & Testing
We collect and handle field samples to standard and coordinate laboratory testing with [our partner laboratory], so results reach your engineer quickly.
Drone Site Documentation
FAA-licensed aerial photo and video documentation of site progress, grading and pours — a clear visual record for owners, lenders and project teams.
Structural Steel & Welding
Need welding or high-strength bolting inspection? Call us — we'll coordinate a certified welding inspector for your project.
Certified Inspectors — Verify Us Yourself
Active registrations and certifications held by our team.
Registered Deputy Inspector
LADBS • #P040802 • Concrete, Masonry, DIA, Grading, Wood
ICC Special Inspector
#10217071 • Reinforced & Prestressed Concrete, Structural Masonry, Soils
LA County Special Inspector
Reinforced Concrete, Prestressed Concrete, Masonry
Approved Special Inspector
City of Santa Monica
Nuclear Gauge Certified
APNGA / U.S. DOT
Remote Pilot License
FAA Part 107 • #5059010
How We Keep Your Project on Schedule
A structured approach that plans compliance from day one.
Send Your Plans
Upload your structural sheets and permit number, or text us a photo of the Statement of Special Inspections.
Get Your Inspection Schedule
We map every required inspection to your timeline in a Pre-Construction Inspection Schedule Chart.
Inspector On Site
Your deputy inspector arrives on time for every pour, install and test.
Reports Ready for Sign-Off
Signed daily reports the same day and a final report ready for your city inspector.
Why LA Contractors Choose Deja Vu
No Project Delays
We schedule around your pours and installs and keep your workflow moving.
Seamless Coordination
We coordinate directly with your superintendent and subcontractors.
Problems Caught Early
Every phase is verified before official sign-off, preventing costly rework.
Truly Independent
We work for the owner and never inspect our affiliates' work.
Projects We Inspect
ADUs
Foundations, epoxy, shear walls
Soft-Story Retrofits
Footings, anchors, shear walls
Multifamily & Commercial
Concrete, PT, masonry
Hillside & Grading
Soils, caissons, retaining walls
What Affects the Cost?
Every project is quoted individually. The main factors are:
- Inspection types on your plans
- Number of site visits and time on site
- Early-morning, night or weekend work
- Samples and laboratory tests required
- Project location within LA County
Get a Clear, Itemized Quote
Send your structural sheets and schedule. We'll reply with your inspection schedule and an itemized quote.
Request a QuoteSpecial Inspection FAQ
When is special inspection required in Los Angeles?
Whenever your approved plans call for it in the Statement of Special Inspections. Your structural engineer lists each required inspection based on Chapter 17 of the California Building Code.
Who hires the special inspector?
Per CBC Section 1704.2, the project owner or their authorized registered design professional must employ the special inspector directly, not the general contractor, to ensure independent quality control.
How much notice do you need?
We recommend giving 24 to 48 hours notice. However, we keep rapid-response dispatchers available for next-day or urgent site pours across Los Angeles County.
Do I need special inspection for an ADU?
Yes, if specified on your structural drawings. Common ADU inspections include epoxy drilled-in anchors, shear wall nailing, and foundation reinforced concrete.
What inspections does a soft-story retrofit need?
Most soft-story retrofits require inspections for new moment frames, high-strength bolting/welding, post-installed anchor bolts (epoxy), foundation footings, and shear wall fastening.
How much does special inspection cost?
Pricing is based on the scope, number of hours/visits required, and whether laboratory concrete cylinder breaks are necessary. We provide transparent, itemized estimates without hidden dispatch fees.
What reports will I receive?
You receive immediate on-site digital daily inspection reports signed by certified inspectors, followed by full final compliance letters delivered for LADBS or local building department sign-offs.
What happens if a special inspection is missed?
Missing a required inspection can halt city approvals or require destructive core testing. Contact us immediately so we can coordinate non-destructive testing (NDT) or assist your structural engineer in filing a resolution letter.
Do you work outside the City of Los Angeles?
Yes, we operate throughout the entirety of Los Angeles County including Santa Monica, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Burbank, Long Beach, and unincorporated county jurisdictions.
Ready to Schedule Inspections?
Send your plans today. Call or text 24/7: (424) 333-1596