In this guideJump to a section
A house built before modern seismic standards may have an older foundation, a weak garage opening or an unbraced crawlspace. But “older than 1980” is not a structural diagnosis. A house on a slab, raised foundation, hillside or pier system can need a different evaluation.
The California Earthquake Authority maps several distinct house vulnerabilities. This guide turns that list into a first appointment brief for a licensed professional, not retrofit installation instructions.
Start with the building type
| Visible/documented condition | Why to ask about it | Correct next step |
|---|---|---|
| Raised floor and crawlspace | Older cripple walls and anchoring may need assessment | Qualified retrofit contractor or engineer reviews foundation |
| Living space over a garage | Large openings and limited lateral resistance may matter | Engineer reviews the actual garage framing |
| Post-and-pier support | Different connections and bracing than continuous perimeter foundation | Site-specific engineering assessment |
| Hillside or stepped foundation | Slope, drainage and framing conditions complicate the load path | Engineer with applicable site expertise |
| Older masonry chimney | Falling masonry and brittle components can endanger occupants | Qualified structural and masonry evaluation |
| Previous retrofit records | Work may be partial, modified or unverified | Retrieve permits and as-built evidence |
None of those rows tells a household to crawl under the building or measure fasteners. If there are cracks, moving soil, exposed utilities, a damaged deck or suspected collapse, keep clear and seek professional assessment.
Make estimates comparable
Ask each qualified bidder to state the observed conditions, proposed engineered scope, relevant local code, permits and inspections, whether engineering is included, accessibility and occupancy impacts, change-order process, exclusions and warranty. Price per square foot is not a substitute for knowing which weakness is being repaired.
Older houses may have lead paint, asbestos or restricted access; do not open concealed assemblies yourself for a quote. Work that affects a gas line, foundation or electrical equipment requires the appropriate licensed trades.
Grants and insurance are separate decisions
The CEA retrofit discount page discusses conditional discounts for qualifying work and building types. The state also offers programs with limited registration windows; check current availability and conditions directly. A completed retrofit does not guarantee earthquake survival, a grant or a premium reduction.
For life-safety actions during shaking, use the earthquake household plan. It addresses what occupants do during and after shaking; this page owns a pre-event construction consultation.
Retrofit professional scope card
| Field | Verified property detail or question |
|---|---|
| Construction year and permits | |
| Foundation and crawlspace, if known | |
| Garage/soft-story openings | |
| Hillside, retaining wall or drainage concerns | |
| Existing retrofit documents | |
| Engineering, permits and inspection included? | |
| Current grant/insurance eligibility checked? |
Next action: gather building documents and book an appropriately qualified site assessment. Do not choose hardware or begin foundation work from a generic keyword guide.