What is Seismic Retrofitting?
Retrofitting is an improvement to your building by altering or adding structural elements. SRS Retrofit helps apartment complex owners and managers throughout Los Angeles seismically retrofit their building to be code-compliant with the City of Los Angeles’ new ordinances for older buildings. Specifically, Soft Story Seismic Retrofitting, is using USGS data in calculations and creating a solution that should withstand the lateral movement of a building caused by an earthquake. We add elements to absorb the energy, so that the gravity system (small poles holding your building up) does not collapse. In the 1995 Northridge Earthquake, 82,000 residential and commercial units were destroyed—and a large factor was due to Soft Story buildings.
My Property Is on The List!
What Is Next?
he first step is getting a professional to review your building to give you a proposal for engineering a solution to comply with the new ordinances. SRS Retrofit provides a free consultation and will give you a proposal including engineering and construction in 2 separate phases. You have 2 years from receiving your ordinance to obtain approved plans. The building department is very busy and once submitting, they take approximately 11 weeks to receive a reply and 2 weeks for any corrections. It is best to start sooner rather than later to avoid any penalty fees! Schedule an inspection today before the next earthquake hits.
How Much Is This Going to Cost?
A Soft Story Retrofit can cost anywhere in the range of $40,000 upwards to hundreds of thousands. Every building is different, so it is difficult to make a general assumption to all buildings. We take a detailed look at each property and give a proposal specific to the building. Once we are contracted for a job, we will start with the architectural visit, where we will do a complete As-Built of the property. Once our engineer is finished with the calculations, they will communicate where excavation and tear back of the stucco is needed. Our construction crew will visit the property for excavation and then back fill with dirt and top with gravel. After exposing joists and beams, they will cover holes with plywood until construction begins where it will be repaired. Completing this exploratory demolition prevents delays during the construction phase. This step is the most important. We are looking at the existing structural components of the building as well as the existing foundation rather than making assumptions that could be incorrect. We cover areas with plywood and gravel or asphalt. Our engineers design the most economical solution and use steel fabrication as often as possible rather than a pre-fabricated frame as the cost is much less.
What Financing Options Are Available?
SRS Retrofit assists its clients with the cost recovery program. The cost recovery program can be used to pay up to 50% of the seismic retrofit costs by passing it on to tenants. City of LA the maximum rent increase is $38.00 per unit per month for 120 months. SRS Retrofit is also able to offer financing through the P.A.C.E. program with 100% financing with no money down. Click here to learn more. Find out how much your property is eligible for here on our website and an SRS Retrofit Team member will get back to you within 1 business day.
Is financing right for you?
Learn more about financing with SRS Retrofit here.