Earthquake Retrofitting for Los Angeles Properties
Securing Your Investment, Protecting Your Tenants
For any property owner, the possibility of an earthquake is a fact of life. It’s a constant presence that raises serious questions about building safety, financial risk, and legal liability. The same concerns apply to nearby cities such as Pasadena, Anaheim, and Beverly Hills, where aging apartment buildings and commercial structures also face seismic vulnerabilities.
Soft story and seismic retrofitting in Los Angeles provide the reinforcements needed to safeguard your investment and ensure compliance with local retrofit ordinances. Protect your property – and the people inside it – from the next major seismic event.
Soft Story & Seismic Retrofitting Done Right
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Soft-Story Retrofitting
Many apartment buildings in Los Angeles feature a “soft story,” a ground level with wide openings for parking or retail that leaves the structure especially vulnerable during seismic activity. Without reinforcement, these buildings face a high risk of collapse in a major earthquake. Our seismic retrofitting team strengthens these weak points by installing steel moment frames, shear walls, and other structural reinforcements.
Earthquake Bolting & Bracing
The most important safeguard for your home during an earthquake is the connection between its wood frame and concrete foundation. Many older homes were built without proper foundation bolts or braces, leaving them vulnerable to shifting and collapse under seismic stress. Our foundation bolting and bracing services reinforce this critical connection by securely anchoring the frame to the foundation and adding structural bracing where needed.
Foundation Repair
Your foundation is the backbone of your entire home. When it starts to show signs of damage—like cracks, uneven settling, or moisture intrusion—it can threaten the stability of the whole structure. Our foundation repair services address these issues at their source, restoring strength and preventing further deterioration. Whether it’s stabilizing weakened areas, sealing cracks, or correcting settlement, we ensure your foundation is solid, secure, and built to last.
Tenant Habitability Program (THP)
A successful retrofit involves more than just engineering; it requires careful management of the impact on residents. Our Tenant Habitability Program is a core part of our service, designed to ensure tenants are respected, informed, and experience minimal disruption. We handle required notices, coordinate schedules, and manage the work environment to maintain a safe and habitable living space throughout the project.
"After working with Retrofit1, I finally have peace of mind knowing my building is protected. Their team made the entire process simple, and I felt confident every step of the way."
Why Seismic Upgrades Are a Necessity in Southern California
Retrofitting isn’t just a smart idea; for many property owners, it’s a legal and financial imperative. Here’s why proactive seismic upgrades are non-negotiable in our region:
- It’s the Law: The City of Los Angeles, through ordinances like Ordinance 183893, legally requires owners of vulnerable soft-story buildings to complete a seismic retrofit. The LADBS (Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety) enforces these codes to save lives, and non-compliance can lead to significant fines and legal action.
- It Mitigates Financial Risk: An unreinforced building is a massive financial liability. A major earthquake can lead to devastating repair costs, resident lawsuits, and a total loss of your investment. A retrofitted property not only preserves its value but becomes more attractive to safety-conscious renters and future buyers.
- It Protects Human Lives: Ultimately, this is about safety. From the coastal communities of Santa Monica to the dense neighborhoods of West Hollywood and the sprawling San Fernando Valley, property owners have a fundamental responsibility to protect their tenants and residents from preventable harm.
Retrofit1: Setting the Standard in Seismic Retrofitting
Choosing a retrofitting partner is a major decision. Our track record and commitment to quality make us the trusted choice for property owners across the region.
- Over 1000+ successful retrofits completed across Southern California.
- An in-house team of licensed engineers, inspectors, and experienced construction experts.
- Deep specialization in LA’s specific seismic ordinances and building codes.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees and flexible financing options.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what hundreds of property owners are saying about our work.
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Our Proven, Tenant-Friendly Retrofitting Process
We’ve refined our process to be as efficient and transparent as possible, ensuring you and your tenants experience minimal disruption.
Step 1: In-Depth Property Assessment
Our process begins with a comprehensive on-site evaluation. Our experts inspect your building’s foundation, framing, and structural weak points to identify all vulnerabilities and determine the most effective solutions.
Step 2: Custom Engineering & Design
Based on our assessment, we create a set of custom, engineer-stamped plans. This detailed blueprint is tailored to your property’s specific needs and is designed to meet or exceed all LADBS requirements for seismic safety.
Step 3: Professional, Minimally-Invasive Installation
Our skilled construction crews carry out the work with precision and care. We strictly adhere to the Tenant Habitability Program (THP) guidelines, carefully planning our work to minimize noise, dust, and disruption to your residents’ daily lives.
Step 4: Final Inspection & City Approval
Once construction is complete, we manage all final inspections with city officials. We handle the paperwork and coordination to ensure your property is officially certified as compliant, leaving you with total peace of mind.
Delivering Seismic Safety Throughout California
Common Questions
Your Most Common Retrofitting Questions Answered
Local ordinances primarily target two types of privately owned buildings: soft-story apartment buildings with parking or other open spaces on the ground floor, and non-ductile concrete buildings. Most affected structures were built before 1980.
The cost varies based on several factors, including your building’s size, its current condition, the specific structural issues found, and the engineering plan required. We provide a detailed, transparent estimate after a free property evaluation.
No, in the vast majority of cases, tenants can remain in their units. Our process is designed to be as non-invasive as possible, and we create a specific plan to manage the work around your residents.
While a simple home foundation bolting may take a few days, a larger soft-story retrofit can take a few weeks to a few months. The timeline depends on the project's complexity, weather, and the city's permitting and inspection schedule.
Yes. A retrofitted building is a safer, more durable asset. It is significantly more attractive to both renters and future buyers, is cheaper to insure, and is protected from the catastrophic financial loss of an earthquake, all of which increases its long-term value.
Is Your Property's Liability Keeping You Up at Night?
What if the next quake is the one that targets your unreinforced building? The potential for financial ruin, legal action, and harm to your tenants is a heavy burden to carry.
Don’t wait for a disaster to force your hand. Investing in a seismic retrofit is the single most effective action you can take to eliminate that risk. It’s an investment in security, stability, and the confidence that comes from knowing you are protected.
