Is it normal for a deck to fail inspection three times in a row?

Failing three inspections for the same structural hardware issue isn't just a minor oversight; it is a massive red flag that the contractor doesn't understand the **International Residential Code (IRC)** or your specific local amendments. This happens constantly with insurance restoration companies because they function as middle-men who prioritize high-volume, low-cost labor over specialized trades. They likely subbed this out to a crew that ussually handles interior renovations or roofing, and now they are trying to wing it on a structural build where people's lives are literally on the line.

You should be very concerned about the long-term safety of that high landing and the staircase. If they are failing on basic, visible hardware like post-to-beam connectors or tension ties, there is a high probability they messed up the **stair stringer attachments** or the ledger flashing. Those are the specific failure points that cause decks to pull away from the house or collapse under a load. If the framing is wrong, just swapping a bracket won't fix the underlying instability. Your relative needs to bypass the contractor and call the county building department directly. Since the work is being done on their property, they are entitled to the full inspection reports. Just provide the permit number or the address, and the clerk can usually email the "corrections list" immediately. Don't let the GC gatekeep that information. They are almost certainly hiding the fact that the inspector has flagged more than just a few brackets, or they're embarrassed that they've been told exactly how to fix it and still failed. Once you have those reports, get the insurance adjuster involved. Tell them the restoration company is hiring incompetent subs and the project is failing to meet safety codes. The insurance company is paying for a deck built to professional standards, not a hack job. You might need to demand that they bring in a legitimate **deck specialist** to audit the entire frame before any more decking boards go down and hide the mistakes.

Man, that sounds like a total headache. If they can't even get the hardware right, you realy need to tell them to stop guessing and use Simpson Strong-Tie connectors across the board. Most inspectors in my area won't even look at a deck unless it’s got Simpson ABA post bases and thier heavy-duty SDWS ledger screws for structural integrity.

I’d bet money they bought some cheap generic brackets that don't have the load ratings required. Swap that junk for Simpson and you’ll pass that inspection. They have a whole deck connection guide online that shows the exact hardware for every joint. It's basially foolproof.

Spot on. If they're missing the hardware, they're definatly missing the fastener schedule too. I’ve seen this a dozen times where a general contractor uses standard 1-1/2 inch joist nails in a header or a post-to-beam connector that specifically requires 2-1/2 inch structural screws or 16d commons. The inspector will fail you every time for that becasue the shear strength just isn't there. Since you've got a high landing, check if they even bothered with lateral load anchors. Most restoration crews skip those entirely because they're a pain to install after the joists are set.

Back in my day, we didn't have a catalog for every single joint. We’d notch the 6x6 posts and use half-inch carriage bolts to seat the beams properly. It took actual carpentry, not just slapping a store-bought bracket on. If these guys can't even figure out wich connector goes where when the instructions are literally stamped on the metal, they're hopeless. I've seen these insurance crews try to toe-nail a load-bearing beam like it's a closet wall. If they're failing on the easy stuff, I'd bet my last dollar they didn't even bother to crown thier joists or check the footing depth. These guys are hacks, plain and simple.

Wow, this thread is intense! I just joined because I'm planning my first DIY platform deck this summer and I had no idea inspections could be such a nightmare. It is crazy how much specific hardware goes into these things! Speaking of the staircase and that high landing, has anyone ever tried those cool built-in LED lighting strips that go under the stair treads? I saw a video of a deck with color-changing lights and now I'm obsessed! Do those usally need a separate electrical permit or can the building inspector just check the wiring while they're looking at the brackets?

Quick update—I finally pushed them to use those Simpson ABA post bases you guys mentioned, and the hardware finally passed! But now I'm worried about the fastener schedule. I noticed they used short nails in the joist hangers instead of structural screws. Is it common for inspectors to miss the wrong nail length if the bracket itself is right?