Earthquake RetrofitRetrofit
As a licensed and approved contractor we proudly participate in programs such as Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) to help homeowners secure their foundations and qualify for available grants.
Protecting your home from the unpredictable forces of nature is an essential responsibility for every Southern California homeowner. Earthquake retrofitting, or seismic strengthening, is a specialized structural process that anchors your home securely to its foundation. By reinforcing the connection between your wood framing and concrete base, we mitigate the risk of your home shifting or sliding during an earthquake—preserving your property’s integrity and, most importantly, the safety of your family.
Benefits of Architecture & Engineering with MDM
Custom Lifestyle Design
We create bespoke floor plans and exterior concepts tailored specifically to your family’s lifestyle and the unique topography of your property.
Structural Safety & Stability
Our licensed engineering ensures your home is built for longevity, meeting the highest seismic and safety standards required in Southern California.
Faster Permit Approvals
With deep expertise in local city codes, we provide comprehensive plan sets that move through the building department with fewer corrections.
Cost-Effective Planning
Precise blueprints allow for accurate material estimates and construction timelines, significantly reducing the risk of expensive mid-project change orders.
Visual 3D Clarity
Experience your home before a single nail is driven with advanced 3D renderings that allow you to visualize and refine every detail in advance.
Unified Build Strategy
Because we are also the general contractor, our designs are optimized for "buildability," ensuring a seamless handoff from the drawing board to the job site.
Signature Design & Engineering Projects
From complex structural engineering to bespoke architectural blueprints, our portfolio showcases the technical precision and creative vision behind our most successful builds.
Safety is a science. We build for the long term with decades of structural experience.
Why Choose MDM General Contractors
01.
Approved EBB Contractors
We are officially vetted by the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, allowing us to help you secure state grants of up to $3,000 to offset your project costs.
02.
Retrofitting is a technical science. Our crews specialize in foundation anchoring and load-path physics, ensuring your home is fortified by experts, not generalists.
03.
We handle 100% of the engineering, permitting, and mandatory city inspections, providing you with a certified Certificate of Compliance for your insurance and records.
04.
We fortify your home’s structural skeleton from the crawl space up, providing modern seismic strength without compromising your property’s original architectural beauty.
Our Retrofit Process
We provide a turnkey seismic solution, managing every technical phase from the initial inspection to final city certification.
Site Evaluation
Our licensed team performs a detailed inspection of your foundation and crawl space to identify specific structural vulnerabilities.
Engineering & Planning
We coordinate with structural engineers to prepare precision plans that meet all California Building Code and EBB program standards.
Permit Management
We handle all city coordination, securing the necessary permits and documentation required for a legal and certified retrofit.
Structural Installation
Our master crews install foundation bolts, anchor plates, plywood shear walls, and cripple wall bracing to create a continuous load path.
City Inspection
We manage the mandatory city inspections, ensuring every structural connection is verified and signed off by local authorities.
Final Certification
Upon completion, we provide the final documentation required for homeowner grant verification and insurance premium reductions.
FAQs
How do I know if my home needs a retrofit?
Homes built before 1980—especially those with a crawl space (raised foundation) or "cripple walls"—are often the most vulnerable. We offer free professional inspections to determine your home's specific needs.
What is the average cost of an earthquake retrofit?
Most standard residential retrofits range from $4,000 to $7,000. However, with an EBB grant, many homeowners can reduce their out-of-pocket costs by up to $3,000.
Does a retrofit make my home 'earthquake proof'?
No building is entirely "earthquake proof," but a retrofit significantly reduces the risk of major structural damage and collapse, making it "earthquake resistant" and much safer for occupants.