When you live in a place like Los Angeles that is constantly susceptible to earthquakes, it is important that you do everything you can to make your home as safe and resilient as possible. Getting an earthquake retrofit on your LA home is one of the best ways to ensure that you and your family will be protected in case of a large quake.
There are many different types of retrofitting that can be done on your home, and each one will have its own benefits. For example, a brace and bolt retrofit will improve the strength of your house and make it more resistant to being displaced from its foundation during an earthquake.
Your home’s age can also affect the type of retrofitting that will be needed. Older homes are more likely to need a retrofit, especially if they were built before 1980 and do not meet modern seismic building codes.
In addition to preventing your home from being ripped off its foundation, a brace and bolt retrofit can also help reduce the risk of serious injury or property damage. It can also increase the value of your house.
The cost of a retrofit can be high, but it is well worth the investment. In fact, research shows that homeowners who invest a small amount of money to get their houses retrofitt your LA home can save between $10,000 and $200,000 in repair costs after a major earthquake.
Having a retrofit completed on your LA home is also a great way to lower the cost of earthquake insurance. Adding a retrofit to your policy can reduce it by as much as 5%.
If you are unsure if your house is in need of an earthquake retrofit, or would like to learn more about the process, you should contact a licensed contractor. They can come to your home and provide an assessment of its structural vulnerabilities.
They can then help you create a plan to retrofit your home. Typically, you do not have to vacate your home during the process. The process usually takes a few days, depending on the size of your home and the type of retrofit that you need.
You may want to find a company that offers the most affordable retrofitting options. This will give you the best opportunity to prevent costly repairs in the future.
Some companies also offer a warranty that covers the work they do. This is a great option because you can be confident that your retrofit will hold up and last for years to come.
When it comes to getting a retrofit done on your LA home, it is best to hire an experienced contractor. The best contractors are those that have been around for a while and have a good reputation.
They will be able to offer you an estimate of the costs involved and provide you with a quote that you can take to your local bank or credit union. They can also provide you with a free consultation to help you understand the different options that are available to you.