Stabilizing your home against dangerous movements can be expensive, no matter what condition your home is in. Renovate works with reputable contractors and engineers who offer affordable and flexible financing options so you can fortify your home against local risk. Loan amounts and terms vary based on your creditworthiness and the retrofitting companies that offer financing.
For example, if you get earthquake financing for a project that costs $7,500 at an APR of 10% over 24 months, you would pay about $346 per month. Your total cost to repay the loan would be $8,306.
There are different types of earthquake retrofit services that can protect your home against earthquake damage, and each method varies in complexity and cost.
Our network of reputable contractors can evaluate your home’s setup to determine the most effective way to make it more resilient against earthquake damage.
An earthquake retrofit costs about $3,500 to $10,000, or around $3 to $8 per square foot for materials and labor. Costs can easily creep higher if your home is larger or your abode requires attention in several areas, such as the crawl space, roof, and chimney.
The style of your home will determine the retrofitting technique(s) recommended for earthquake protection.
| Earthquake Retrofitting Service | Estimated Cost |
| Foundation bolting | $650–$3,500 |
| Crawl space wall bolting | $1,000–$3,200 |
| Crawl space wall bracing | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Chimney reinforcement | $500–$2,000 |
| Earthquake gas shut-off valve | $300–$750 |
| Anchoring a mudsill | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Slab foundation retrofit | $550–$3,500 |
| Brick foundation retrofit | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Post and pier retrofit | $3,000–$10,000 |
Depending on the retrofitting required for your home, you may need to hire several professionals to complete the job. Before hiring a local repair pro, ensure they are trained specifically for earthquake retrofitting.
| Earthquake Retrofitting Professional | Estimated Cost |
| Structural engineer | $70–$250 per hour |
| Natural gas plumber | $45–$200 per hour |
| Roofing contractor | $45–$80 per hour |
| Foundation specialist | $100–$350 per hour |
We can help you avoid common retrofitting problems by connecting you with a surefooted earthquake contractor who can steer you toward a safer solution. Here are some of the common issues that may put you and your family at risk:
Many factors determine the earthquake-proof building features you should prioritize in your home. Renovate’s network of top-notch contractors will consider your home type, location, and building requirements to help you create an earthquake-resilient home where you feel safe.
Here are some of the aspects they might walk you through before starting a retrofitting project:
Some homes are more vulnerable to damage than others, such as homes built on raised foundations, homes sitting on hillsides, and homes with crawl spaces. Your home’s design may be more susceptible to slipping or sliding during an earthquake, and properly bracing the foundation can help avoid expensive repairs and injury.
Our skilled contractors can help you decide which retrofitting technique is best for your home setup so you move forward with the right projects.
Part of retrofitting your home requires getting an idea of the scope of the project. Renovate’s experienced contractors can evaluate your home’s size and condition to estimate a project timeline.
For example, older homes may require more in-depth work to open the walls and reinforce the frame to current guidelines. The larger the home, the longer it will take to complete the retrofit.
Whether you live in California, Alaska, or along another fault line, the upgrades you do to strengthen your home must comply with local building codes, which can extend the work time. Homes built in places where earthquakes are common tend to have more complex building codes to help prevent earthquake damage.
Renovate’s retrofitting contractors have the know-how to pull the proper permits required for the project and purchase the best materials to meet code.
Renovate helps homeowners protect their homes before a natural disaster hits. Here are some of the benefits of using Renovate to secure financing for seismic retrofitting:
It’s free to use our financing request form and connect with experienced contractors who may offer flexible financing solutions. Renovate will reference its network of pre-screened professionals and show you affordable payment plans for earthquake-proofing your home without a high upfront cost.
Renovate strives to connect homeowners with varying credit profiles to reputable, pre-screened contractors and direct financing options. Our large, inclusive lender network secures more opportunities for earthquake financing so you can get started on reinforcements quickly.
With Renovate, you may get a pre-qualification offer in minutes. Submit your request using our online form, and we’ll try to connect you with contractors who offer earthquake retrofit financing that makes protecting your home simple and affordable.
When retrofitting your home against earthquakes, it’s recommended to allot 10 days to several weeks for the project. More complex tasks could take two months or more. The exact time it takes to complete seismic retrofitting will depend on the size and complexity of your home, the scope of the retrofit, and local building codes.
Potential buyers will likely view a retrofitted home as safer, especially if you live in an earthquake-prone area or an older home without earthquake-proof building features. In some cases, earthquake retrofitting can lower insurance premiums.
Several professionals can help you shore up your home against earthquakes, but the contractor you call will depend on the earthquake-proof features needed for your specific home type. Hiring a structural engineer in your area is a great place to start retrofitting your home. You might also contact a foundation contractor, roofing contractor, natural gas plumber, or other specialists to reinforce specific areas of your home.
Seismic retrofit financing may be available to homeowners with bad credit through private financing companies, but the interest rates and fees will be higher. It’s worth comparing lenders to determine who offers the best terms for making earthquake retrofit costs more affordable. Typically, you can pre-qualify for financing and view offers without affecting your credit (a hard credit check will be performed during the application process). Consider applying with a cosigner to improve your approval odds for financing near you.
