Earthquake Inspection & Renovation Services

Every homeowner in California must consider earthquake safety. Are you sure that your home can stand up to the next big one? Your home is your biggest investment and protects your loved ones and your possessions. Since 2001, Earthquake Inspection has put Californians’ minds to rest with the best expertise and track record in the business in the art of seismic safety for residential homes. From house and foundation bolting to foundation repair and replacement, floor leveling and site drainage issues, we make sure your home has the best protection available against the potential devastation of the next earthquake.

Earthquake Inspection has a proven track record for working hand in glove with building authorities, structural engineering firms, seismologists, geologists, earthquake insurance underwriters, home inspection associations and many of the best real estate firms in Southern California. We have proudly served more than 3,000 customers and counting.

The primary purpose of earthquake retrofitting is to keep a home from being displaced from its concrete foundation. Retrofitting means making improvements to an existing building. The purpose is to make the building safer and less prone to major structural damage during an earthquake. Existing homes need to be retrofitted because our understanding of the effects of earthquakes as well as construction techniques have improved after the homes were built. The terms house bolting, foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing are often used synonymously with earthquake retrofitting.

We never do estimates – rather we come to you and perform a comprehensive inspection – and then provide you with a thorough written analysis of your property’s seismic integrity and provide the specific quotes necessary to perform the work being recommended.

In California, there is an earthquake hazard disclosure law requiring the seller to disclose to the buyer at the time of sale the existence of certain known earthquake hazards, such as lack of bolting, existence of cripple walls with no shear paneling, hot water heaters that are not properly strapped, etc.. One of the conditions required to be disclosed as a hazard is the existence of a "soft story" condition.

Visualize two dominos standing on their small ends. Load four or five bricks on the dominos with no difficulty because the dominos are strong enough to carry the load, or downward force. But, if you go to the side of the dominos and apply a tiny shear force: a shake or with even a breath; the whole thing will come crashing down... We make certain to consult our structural engineers to address the specifics of your particular structure.