The Seismic Retrofit Process
Preparing for an earthquake can be overwhelming and construction on your home may seem daunting. Stronghome takes pride in a process which prioritizes quality work and your peace of mind.
2. Get a customized plan & Quote
At our first appointment, we will take a look at your home to determine the level of risk and whether a retrofit is right for you. I'll answer any questions you have about the retrofit process and what to expect throughout your project. You'll leave that appointment with a quote that will not change for an entire year. Once you sign on, our structural engineer will create a custom plan to help make your home and family earthquake safe.
3. Retrofit
I will take care of all the necessary permits and plans for you, then I'll bolt and strap your home to it's foundation. Every home is unique, but on average the work typically takes 3-5 days. Depending on your home and foundation, the project may require access to the interior of your home, the crawl space, or solely the exterior. You'll have advanced notice about what to expect while the work is happening, and we schedule enough in advance for you to plan accordingly. At the end of the week, you'll have a Stronghome.
4. Inspect
We do the best retrofits.
We are the only company in the Seattle area that goes through 3 separate inspections per project: one internal Stronghome inspection with our director of operations, one with a third party inspector from the city who will ensure your project is up to code, and a final inspection with you, the homeowner, to make sure you feel as confident in the work as we do. You can rest easy knowing that you got the job done right, and that your home and family are secure.
Your retrofit project at a glance.
Average project timeline: 3-5 work days
Retrofits completed on a house with a crawl space or unfinished basement will typically be done within one week. Retrofits that require removal and replacement of drywall or siding will typically be completed in two weeks.
Average project cost: $7,000 - $12,000
We create a custom quote for every project, but most projects fall within this range. Homes with a smaller homes with a crawl space fall on the lower end of the cost range, and larger homes with finished basements will be at the higher end.
What we need from you and your home:
If your home has a basement, we will need to access it for the retrofit project. In most cases, this requires you to move some furniture away from the perimeter walls before we begin. When we leave, we clean up after ourselves and leave your home the way we found it (but safer).
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If your home has a crawl space, we'll need access (typically from the exterior). If your crawl space is wet or full of debris or storage, you'll need to clean it before the retrofit begins.