Seismic Retrofitting & Earthquake Strengthening
Protect your building from earthquake damage with professional seismic retrofitting. Our licensed structural engineers assess your structure and design cost-effective seismic upgrades that enhance safety and meet California seismic requirements.
What is Seismic Retrofitting?
Seismic retrofitting strengthens existing buildings to better withstand earthquakes. California's active seismic environment makes retrofitting essential for older buildings built before modern earthquake codes. We specialize in seismic assessment and retrofit design for residential and commercial structures, providing practical solutions that enhance safety while respecting budgets.
Why Choose Our Seismic Retrofitting Services
Expert seismic assessment of existing structures
Cost-effective retrofit designs minimizing disruption
Experience with all retrofit types (residential, soft-story, commercial)
Navigate mandatory retrofit ordinances (LA, SF, other jurisdictions)
Understand insurance and property value benefits of retrofitting
Coordination with contractors experienced in retrofit work
Licensed structural engineers specializing in seismic design
What We Provide
Comprehensive seismic retrofitting services with complete documentation
Seismic Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of your building's seismic vulnerabilities including foundation connections, cripple walls, soft-story conditions, and structural deficiencies.
Retrofit Design
Engineering design of seismic retrofit measures including foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, shear wall addition, moment frame strengthening, and other improvements.
Soft-Story Retrofit
Specialized design for soft-story buildings (typically multi-family with parking below) requiring reinforcement to prevent collapse during earthquakes.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Evaluation of retrofit options with cost estimates to help you make informed decisions balancing safety, budget, and building use requirements.
Permit-Ready Plans
Complete construction documents and calculations for building department approval, including response to plan check corrections.
Construction Administration
Site visits, contractor support, and quality assurance during retrofit construction to ensure proper implementation of seismic improvements.
How It Works
Our streamlined process for seismic retrofitting
Initial Assessment
Site visit to evaluate building construction, identify seismic deficiencies, and understand building use requirements and owner concerns.
Structural Analysis
Engineering analysis of existing structure including foundation type, framing system, lateral force resistance, and identification of specific vulnerabilities.
Retrofit Recommendations
Develop retrofit options with pros, cons, costs, and expected performance improvement for each approach.
Design Development
Detailed engineering design of selected retrofit measures including structural calculations and connection details.
Construction Documents
Preparation of complete retrofit drawings showing all work required, including demolition, new framing, connections, and specifications.
Permit Processing
Submit plans to building department, respond to plan check corrections, and obtain permit approval.
Bidding Support
Assist owner in contractor selection by clarifying scope, answering contractor questions, and reviewing proposals if requested.
Construction Oversight
Periodic site visits during construction, review of critical phases, and final inspection to verify retrofit completion.
Common Applications
We provide seismic retrofitting for a wide range of projects
Cost Information
Transparent pricing for your project
Typical Range:
Residential: $5,000-$15,000 typical; Soft-story buildings: $75,000-$400,000+; Commercial varies significantly
Factors Affecting Cost:
- Building size and configuration
- Type and extent of deficiencies
- Retrofit methods selected
- Access and working conditions
- Building occupancy during work
- Finish restoration requirements
Seismic retrofit costs vary widely based on building type, size, and required improvements.
Timeline
What to expect for your project
Design Phase
3-6 weeks for residential; 8-20 weeks for commercial/soft-story
Permitting
4-8 weeks typical; mandatory programs may have specific timelines
Total Timeline
2-4 months typical for residential; 6-18 months for large commercial
Timelines vary based on project complexity, jurisdiction requirements, and information availability. We provide detailed schedules during consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about seismic retrofitting
Does my building need seismic retrofitting?
Buildings constructed before 1980 often lack modern seismic protections and are good retrofit candidates. Specific indicators include: lack of foundation bolting, cripple walls without bracing, soft-story configuration (parking below), unreinforced masonry, or location in high seismic zones. Some jurisdictions have mandatory retrofit ordinances. We provide assessments to determine if retrofitting is needed.
How much does seismic retrofitting cost?
Residential foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing typically costs $5,000-$15,000. Soft-story apartment retrofits range from $75,000-$400,000+ depending on building size. Commercial retrofits vary widely from $50,000 to millions for large buildings. Engineering fees are typically $3,000-$8,000 for residential and $15,000-$100,000+ for commercial. We provide free initial consultations and cost estimates.
Will retrofitting damage my home?
Most residential retrofits involve work in crawl spaces, garages, or unfinished areas with minimal impact on living spaces. Some finish work may be affected but is typically minor. We design retrofits to minimize disruption and coordinate with contractors to limit impacts. Most work is completed in 1-2 weeks for residential properties.
Does seismic retrofitting increase property value?
Yes, retrofitting can increase property value and marketability, especially in high seismic areas. Retrofitted homes are more attractive to buyers, may qualify for lower earthquake insurance premiums, and provide peace of mind. Some buyers specifically seek retrofitted homes. In areas with mandatory retrofit ordinances, non-compliance can hurt property value.
What is a soft-story building retrofit?
Soft-story buildings have large openings on the first floor (typically parking or retail) with residential above. These are vulnerable to collapse in earthquakes. Retrofits add steel moment frames, shear walls, or reinforced columns to strengthen the first story. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other cities have mandatory soft-story retrofit ordinances for multi-family buildings.
Do I need a permit for seismic retrofitting?
Yes, seismic retrofit work requires building permits. We prepare permit-ready structural plans and calculations. Some jurisdictions have streamlined processes for standard residential retrofits. Mandatory retrofit programs have specific permit procedures. Permits ensure work meets code and is properly inspected.
Can I get financial assistance for retrofitting?
Some programs offer financial assistance including: earthquake insurance premium discounts, property tax reassessment exemptions for retrofit improvements, financing programs in some cities, and potential tax incentives. We can help you understand available programs in your area.
How long does retrofitting take?
Residential retrofits typically take 1-2 weeks for construction after permits are obtained. Design and permitting takes 2-4 months total. Soft-story retrofits take 3-6 months for construction depending on building size. We provide detailed timelines during planning. Work can often be scheduled to minimize occupant disruption.