Family-Owned · Serving LA & Orange County
Earthquake Retrofitting Without the Scare Tactics.
Residential seismic retrofitting for older LA & Orange County homes. Every project starts with a free evaluation — and we’ll tell you exactly what your house needs, and what it doesn’t.
Free estimates. Cash, senior, and military discounts.
The Straight-Answer Promise
Retrofit marketing runs on fear. Ours doesn’t.
01
Calm Authority, Not Fear
The earthquake risk in Los Angeles is real — Northridge in 1994 proved it — and that's the only time we'll mention it. From there we talk solutions, costs, timelines, and code. You already know earthquakes are serious. You need a contractor who isn't using that against you.
02
Plain English, Every Step
Cripple wall, mud sill, shear panel — every term gets defined the first time it's used, and every finding comes to you in writing with photos. You should never have to take a contractor's word for what's under your own house.
03
The Honest Scope
Some homes need a full brace-and-bolt. Some need four hours of bolting. Some need nothing. We quote what the structure needs, not what the fear supports — and if your house doesn't need a retrofit, we'll tell you that too.
Residential Retrofitting
What Does Your House Need?
From a morning of bolting to a full brace-and-bolt. One free evaluation gets you a straight answer.
Foundation Bolting
Anchor the house frame to the foundation. The single most common retrofit for pre-1980 homes.
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Cripple Wall Bracing
Reinforce the short crawlspace wall with plywood shear panels so the house can't rack sideways.
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Foundation Repair
Cracks, settlement, and rotted mud sills. Not every crack is structural — we'll tell you which is which.
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Seismic Evaluation
A structural look at your house with written findings. If you don't need a retrofit, this is where we say so.
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Garage Reinforcement
Engineered steel frames and reinforced walls for rooms over garages and other wide openings.
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Chimney Bracing
Secure or remove unreinforced brick chimneys — the heavy stuff that falls first.
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Gas Shutoff Valves
Automatic gas shutoff the moment strong shaking hits. Installed in hours.
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How It Works
Four Steps, No Surprises
1
Evaluate
A free 30–45 minute on-site look at your structure, with written findings and a firm quote — or an honest all-clear.
2
Plan
Standard retrofit plans fit most homes; engineered plans are coordinated for garage frames and hillside houses.
3
Retrofit
Two to four days for a typical house — you don't move out, and water and power stay on the whole time.
4
Document
You get written documentation of the completed work with photos — for your records, insurance conversations, and resale.
A Family Trade Since 1953
Earthquake Retrofit LA is owned by Mickey — the second-generation tradesman behind One Hour Plumbing Service, trusted by Southeast LA homeowners since 1953. Different trade, same rule: straight answers, honest bids, work done right the first time.
Our story →The Questions Everyone Asks First
Does my house need a retrofit?
Likely yes if it was built before 1980, sits on a raised foundation (crawlspace under the floor), and has never been retrofitted. Likely no if it's on a concrete slab, built after 1980, or already retrofitted. Our free evaluation answers it definitively — and if the answer is no, we say no.
How much does an earthquake retrofit cost in Los Angeles?
Foundation bolting alone: $3,000–$7,000. Brace-and-bolt: $5,000–$10,000. Chimney bracing: $1,500–$8,000. We publish full ranges on our cost guide because hiding numbers is how fear-selling starts. Your firm quote comes from a free evaluation.
Will a retrofit lower my earthquake insurance?
Verified retrofits on qualifying older homes earn California Earthquake Authority premium discounts of up to 25%. We provide the documentation to submit.
Do I have to move out during a retrofit?
No. Home retrofits happen in the crawlspace with water and power on. Expect some daytime drilling and nailing noise — that's the extent of it.
How long does a retrofit take?
Most single-family brace-and-bolt projects take two to four days, and you don't move out. Bolt-only jobs can finish in one to two days.
Get a Straight Answer About Your House
A free 30–45 minute evaluation, written findings, and a firm quote — or an honest “you don't need it.” No pressure either way.
Free estimates. Cash, senior, and military discounts.