Some FAQs about Earthquake Retrofitting Services
Chances are if you are a commercial property owner–or even a renter for that matter–you’ve been hearing a lot about earthquake retrofitting services over the past few years.
When it comes to earthquake retrofitting, the investment is significant. However, it can also be essential for your business. Here are some general questions that we’ve heard from clients.
How Do I Know if My Building Needs this Service?
One of the easiest ways to figure out if your building needs earthquake retrofitting services is the age of the building. Almost all buildings in California built before 1996 will need earthquake retrofitting services. Additionally, it’s estimated that any building constructed past that date was not built for resiliency from an earthquake. Todays building codes only cover life safety.
How Much Does It Cost?
Unfortunately, there are no solid numbers. It ultimately depends on the type of building you have, how much work it will be, how big the building is – and of course, the skill and expertise of the contractor that you choose.
Do I Have to Hire an Engineer Too?
Yes. Consultation and design by a structural engineer is always recommended. Some property owners like to use design build contracts for retrofitting. This is not a good idea for many reasons.
Can I Do It Myself?
No. You must have an engineer draw the plans and scope of work. The only exception in some cities is crawl space retrofitting of homes only. While some construction jobs are simple and can be done by a novice, earthquake retrofitting is complex. Knowledge of local regulations, risk levels, and best practices are all essential in order to get the job done. Often, those who initially go the DIY route end up hiring a licensed contractor in the end.
How Long Does It Take?
Again, this is such a general question. It depends on the building itself and what work needs to be done. In some cases it may only take a few days, in other cases, it could take weeks or months. It’s a good idea to call an earthquake retrofitting services company and ask for a quote after they evaluate your property and understand the scope of the project.
Although earthquake retrofitting can take a good amount of time, businesses can limit the disruption that retrofitting causes. Most of the time business operations can continue with minimal disruption during the retrofitting process.
If you’re in need of earthquake retrofitting services, contact Saunders Seismic by visiting their website today.
