What Is an Earthquake Retrofit and Do I Need One for My San Jose Home?

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Quick Answer: An earthquake retrofit is structural reinforcement added to an existing home to help it survive major earthquakes without collapsing. The most common retrofit for San Jose homes is a “cripple wall retrofit” — bracing and bolting the short wood walls between the foundation and first floor in houses with raised foundations. This is particularly important for pre-1979 homes built before modern seismic codes. Cost: $3,000-$10,000. Unreinforced masonry (brick) buildings require much more extensive and expensive work.

Earthquake Retrofitting in San Jose — What, Who, and How Much

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Does My San Jose Home Need an Earthquake Retrofit?

Pre-1979 raised foundation homes: Highest risk. Cripple walls (the short wood-framed walls between the foundation and floor) were not required to have structural sheathing before 1979. These can collapse laterally during a major earthquake, causing the first floor to drop onto the foundation
Soft-story buildings (apartments, commercial): Buildings with open parking or large openings at the ground floor are very vulnerable. San Jose has a mandatory retrofit program for pre-1978 soft-story buildings
Unreinforced masonry: Brick walls without steel reinforcement crack and collapse in earthquakes. Most URM buildings in San Jose have already been retrofitted or demolished
Hillside homes: Homes on hillsides have split-level construction that creates different seismic vulnerability than flat-lot homes

Cripple Wall Retrofit — The Most Common Type

Adding anchor bolts through the sill plate into the foundation (if not already present)
Installing plywood structural sheathing on cripple wall framing
Adding hold-down hardware at corners and at post/beam connections
California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) provides rebates up to $3,000 for qualifying owner-occupied homes
Cost range: $3,000-$10,000 depending on home size and existing conditions
Permit required: San Jose Building Department; work must be inspected

Should I Earthquake Retrofit Before a Remodel?

If you’re doing a room addition or major renovation, it’s often the perfect time to include seismic upgrades — the walls are already open, the contractor is already licensed for structural work, and the permit covers both scopes. Adding earthquake bracing to an already-open wall costs far less than returning to do it separately later. Ask your contractor to assess seismic vulnerability as part of any structural scope of work.

Quartz Construction performs seismic retrofits as part of home renovation projects in San Jose. CSLB #1003436 | BBB A+ | 4.9 stars. Call (650) 749-7436.

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   Perry Finch 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’re so happy with the work Hila and her team did on our home addition. The new space flows beautifully with the existing structure, and the quality is clear in every finish. Finished on schedule and stress-free.
  
 
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   Joy Ruther 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Ohad on our full home remodel was an incredible experience. He helped us through every decision and made sure everything turned out exactly how we envisioned. The team was easy to communicate with and super detail-focused. We still can’t believe how beautiful our home looks!
  
 
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   Ajay Mukhopadhyay 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently worked with Quartz Construction (Owner: Ohad) for a construction project to remodel our Bathroom and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. From start to finish, their team demonstrated professionalism, and exceptional craftsmanship. They maintained clear communication throughout the project, kept us informed of progress and any potential changes, and delivered everything on time and within budget. Their quality of work is outstanding — every detail was handled with care and precision. What stood out most was their commitment to customer satisfaction. They were responsive to our questions, respectful of our space, and ensured that the final outcome matched our vision perfectly. If you're looking for a reliable, skilled, and trustworthy construction contractor, I wholeheartedly recommend Quartz Construction ( Ohad and his team) .They exceeded our expectations in every way. Ajay
  
 
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   debbie curley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a fantastic experience working with Quartz Construction And Remodeling. Ohad Maloul the owner was professional communicative and a pleasure to work with from start to finish. His team repaired and painted my backyard pergola and the quality of their work was truly excellent. They were always on time, friendly and responsive to any questions I had throughout the process. I appreciated the clear communication and attention to detail. I’m excited to work with Ohad and his team on future projects and highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality construction or remodeling services.
  
 
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   Harry Lewis 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hila managed our balcony addition project with care and precision. The design complements our home perfectly, and the build quality is outstanding. She communicated every step and made the whole process easy. We’re thrilled with the result!
  
 
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   Qi Lei 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the chance to work with Ohad and his construction team on a recent home project, and I was really impressed. Ohad is professional, easy to communicate with, and genuinely cares about the quality of the work. The crew showed up on time, kept the work area clean, and finished the job on schedule. It’s hard to find contractors who are reliable and transparent these days, but Ohad delivered on everything he promised. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for someone who takes pride in their work and keeps things straightforward.
  
 
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   Boris Tyron 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’re so happy with the work Quartz Construction did on our backyard. Ohad’s team designed and built a gorgeous deck and patio that turned the area into a dream space. The quality and detail are fantastic. Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Gloria Collin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Quartz Construction built the most beautiful pergola in our backyard, thanks to Ohad. He was easy to work with, listened to our needs, and delivered a structure that’s both stylish and durable. We now have a shaded space where we can relax and entertain guests.
  
 
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   Dustin Walsh 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They built a beautiful, durable pergola that fits our outdoor space perfectly. Hila paid close attention to both style and quality. We now have the perfect spot for lounging, gatherings, and enjoying every season.
  
 
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   Paul Wilins 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We feel incredibly lucky to have worked with Hila. She made the ADU process simple and stress-free, handling everything with care and professionalism. The final space is perfect—efficient, elegant, and exactly what we hoped for. Big thanks to her and the whole crew!
  
 
  
  
 
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