Get a surveyor! You might be able to find someone cheaper than you think. Plus, if you're looking for the surveyor to answer a specific question (i.e. how close is that structure to the property line?) that would likely be cheaper than a full property survey. They might be able to just provide a simple letter with some basic sketches showing where the property line is rather than a full property survey.
Also, some cities have professional surveyors on staff. I've worked with them before. If you keep bugging them about it, they might come out and take some measurements free of charge. Just emphasize that you suspect that the builder is violating code and the city (not you) needs to investigate.
Thank you for the advice. I am getting a outside town one as when I called the one in town they told me they are the one did land surveyor for the flipper.
I talked to a lawyer as well... Basically I won't win. When I receive the letter I should ask the city to request hearing but too late. And the flipper took it before city require herring.
Sometime you feel angry because someone does things not in common sense...Is like when you drive on the street not every driver follow the common sense and you might get angry.
Couple ways to resolve it, walk away, suck it up, change your view or fight it but just to get a better feeling. lol
In this case I am done and I already started looking for a new house. My house is small anyway so good trigger.
But wife still angry so we set 10k aside for a lawyer and fight until that 10k run out. You know happy wife happy life. Do whatever make wife happy. lol
Suit the property not the flipper so they can't sell or rent the house until the case is over. We just get ready and start the fight when they ready to sell.
But we will keep apply extension of the court date and do it over and over again until either wife give up or run out of the 10k.
You never know that might be once the law suit started they might just take tat deck down. The cost for that wood deck not worth 2-3K they might
think too much work and take down. lol. Or they get angry fight until the end. lol Either way, I am not angry anymore rather I will try enjoy the ride.