Get matched with top earthquake retrofitting specialists in Ridgewood, NJ

Most earthquake retrofitting jobs take one week to 10 business days to complete. However, your professional retrofitting expert will be able to give you a more accurate timeline for your home once you complete an initial consultation. The total time may be longer for projects requiring more extensive work or homes with structural damage due to a prior earthquake.

You can expect to pay between $3,370 and $8,610 in earthquake retrofit costs, ranging from $500 to $15,000 or more, depending on your type of home and foundation and retrofitting method. 

If you have a slab foundation, you can expect to pay on the lower end, between $500 and $3,000. If you have a wooden foundation, that cost jumps to $5,000 to $10,000. A hillside home, not as vulnerable to earthquake damage, typically costs between $5,000 to $10,000 to retrofit while a soft-story home ranges from $10,000 to $80,000.

It is not advisable to try to retrofit your home without the expertise of a professional. These projects usually require a consultation with a structural engineer and a plumber for any gas-related adjustments. Working with a professional earthquake retrofitting contractor is the best way to ensure that any structural work done to your home will help protect you and your family.

First, you can expect the project to be loud. If you have pets, you might want to take them to a friend's house during the day so they are not disturbed by any of the loud noises. In addition, you’ll need to provide the retrofit team access to areas of the house that will need to be worked on, meaning you’ll need to relocate personal items, clear clutter, and make pathways for the crew. Once the project is complete, a local building inspector will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the retrofitting is up to code.

Earthquake retrofitting can increase your home value, making it a great return on investment. This feature is especially valuable in areas prone to earthquakes. Besides the increased safety value (not only for your family but for the next family who moves in), earthquake retrofitting also helps lower homeowners insurance rates. In addition, having your home earthquake retrofitted can make it easier to get a home loan since they are considered lower risk.