Earthquake retrofit guidance for San Jose homes

How this usually starts

Homeowners typically start by describing the property, the visible issue, the city, timing, and any photos or previous inspections. A qualified local provider can then decide whether the project is a fit and what kind of inspection or estimate is appropriate.

This guide is intentionally conservative: it helps you prepare better questions and request help, but it does not replace a professional inspection, engineering judgment, official code guidance, or a contractor estimate.

Local context to check

• San Jose homeowners often use “earthquake retrofit” and “seismic retrofit” for the same first conversation: whether an older raised foundation, crawlspace, or garage opening should be evaluated.
• EBB/CRMP describes a brace-and-bolt retrofit as bolting the foundation to the house frame and bracing cripple walls with plywood when those walls are present; use that wording as a starting point, not a diagnosis.
• A raised-foundation home may involve foundation bolting, cripple-wall bracing, or both, while a garage/open first story, hillside condition, visible foundation damage, moisture, or remodel history may need a different provider scope and engineering review.
• This page helps organize questions and official-resource checks; it cannot diagnose structural risk, confirm program eligibility, determine whether registration is open, or replace an on-site inspection.

Cost and scope drivers

• Whether the home needs simple bolting, cripple-wall bracing, soft-story strengthening, repairs, or engineering before pricing is useful.
• Crawlspace access, foundation condition, prior retrofit work, permit documentation, and any framing or moisture damage found during inspection.
• Program paperwork, drawings, permit handling, and final documentation if those are part of the proposed scope; verify current program and city details with official sources before comparing estimates.

What to document before requesting help

• Approximate home age, foundation type if known, crawlspace access, garage/opening photos, and prior inspection or retrofit paperwork.
• Photos of visible foundation, cripple walls, anchors, plywood bracing, or garage openings only where they can be collected safely.
• Timing, remodel plans, purchase/sale deadlines, and any program, permit, resale-documentation, or insurance questions you want the provider to address.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Is this a raised-foundation brace-and-bolt conversation, a garage/open-first-story concern, a hillside/foundation condition, or a scope that needs engineering first?
• Which part of the proposed work is bolting, bracing, repair, engineering, permit handling, program paperwork, or final documentation?
• What official program, permit, or documentation requirements should I verify separately before comparing estimates?
• How will the written scope separate included work, exclusions, assumptions, and conditions that would change the estimate?

FAQ