The main goal of a seismic retrofit is to keep your home from being displaced from its foundation in the event of an earthquake. Because we live in a seismically active area of the country, this type of project, particularly on older homes, is a must. Designed to make your home safer and less prone to suffering major structural damage during such an event, a seismic retrofit in Los Angeles is critical in offsetting the potentially devastating effects of earthquakes.

The professional you want for the job is a seismic retrofit contractor, but not all created equal. You have to do your homework on each one before you settle on the best professional for you in regards to retrofitting. By selecting the right contractor, you get peace of mind knowing you are in safe hands. Keep these focus areas in mind when going through the selection process:

1. Well-Rounded Skillset: Research a few contractors in your area and come up with a short list of at least three. Browse their websites and follow up with phone calls to inquire about skill level, years in business, and areas of expertise. You’ll want to see a wide variety of skill sets that showcase the contractor’s skills. Experience with your specific type of building and its unique requirements, from small homes to high rises, is imperative to ensure accuracy and precision. In addition, you want to choose someone that can address all areas of foundation repair and reinforcement to provide a broad spectrum of related services if need be. For instance, your contractor should have diverse knowledge of both foundation repair and reinforcement, with the ability to fix all cracks, install elements like piers to stabilize the structure, and bolt your home to the foundation. Make sure they are licensed and insured as well.
2. Training and Membership: While there is no certification process or formal accrediting agency in regards to seismic retrofitting as of yet, experience as well as formal and informal training of the contractor should be taken into account, says com. Training is imperative to ensure best practices when it comes to installation. Even the best-planned retrofit will not protect your home if improperly installed. Look for training program participation in organizations like the California Seismic Safety Commission, the Association of Bay Area Governments, and the International Conference of Building Officials.
3. Testimonials and Recommendations: Ask for a list of previous clients you can contact for feedback. Inquire about overall satisfaction of results, timeliness, affordability, and more. Check out testimonials on the website as well as online reviews, but take them with a grain of salt. Anyone with a grudge these days can post a scathing review or create a fake one from the inside.
4. Cost: You may be tempted to jump on the lowest price you get, but remember – a low-ball quote could be a red flag for sub-par or unlicensed contractors. Instead, look for middle of the road prices that outline all line items in black and white. The last thing you want is a surprise at the time of billing. The national average for an earthquake retrofit is about $4,000, but this number will vary up or down depending on the size of your house, how many rooms there are, if the home is built on a hillside, or if you have rooms over garages. According to Home Advisor, the average price is usually about one to three percent of the home’s cost.

In the end, your decision may involve a combination of the above four factors, as well as a lot of intuition and gut feeling. Ultimately, you want a blend of skill and confidence, along with a good rapport with the contractor to result in a positive experience with your earthquake retrofitting in Los Angeles. The bottom line is this: do your research now. Don’t wait until an earthquake destroys your home and puts your loved ones in danger.

Contact CXC Contracting

To get your free quote on seismic retrofitting, please call CXC Contracting now at 805-300-8899 or schedule your free inspection with us online.