A Trusted Construction Company
Full Service Retrofitters
- Over 100 Projects Completed
- 24 Years of Retrofit Experience
- Expert Value Engineering
- Professional Steel Fabricators
- Experienced Customer Care Team
Welcome to CalRetrofit!
Already Have Plans?
If you’ve already obtained your structural engineering plans; send them over for a FREE comprehensive construction bid and/or possible design minimization.
Don’t compromise, do it once, do it right!
Don’t compromise, do it once, do it right!
Who We Are
CalRetrofit is a Licensed, Bonded and Insured, General Engineering Contractor, providing building owners and property managers, cost-effective solutions to comply with the Mandatory Soft-Story Retrofit Program as outlined in City Ordinances 183893.
We manage all LADBS approval documents, engineering inspections, city & deputy inspection sign-offs including daily project updates and photos on our CRM Platform called BuilderTrend, it is also available through a mobile app. We understand the value of your property and your tenants. Our construction crews and foremen are onsite to perform the scope of work.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
CALL US TODAY and let our team of professionals guide you through the process of bringing your property into compliance with your city’s soft-story retrofit ordinance.
Our Services
As your Single Point of Contact, we manage the entire process from receipt of your ‘order to comply’ all the way to your final inspection and compliance certification.
- Full Service Proposal
- Site Inspection Survey
- Remediation Design
Upon your request for proposal, an experienced retrofit analyst will survey, inspect and measure the property; along with our drafting and engineering department, design the most cost-effective structurally optimized remediation solution, proposed free of charge including a 3D Model CAD Design and all-inclusive quotation and timeline for the required scope of work.
If you’ve already obtained your structural engineering plans; send them over for a comprehensive construction bid and/or possible design minimization.
- Provide Structural Engineering
- Plan Check and Building Permit
Our skilled engineering department will prepare the required architectural and structural reinforcement plans; drawings, specifications and calculations to provide required compliance, submit plans to the department of building and safety for approval and obtain the building permit to begin the work.
Tenant Habitability Plan (THP)
CalRetrofit will prepare and submit the mandatory Tenant Habitability Plan as well as provide tenant notifications per HCID-LA regulations.
- The THP will only be accepted if it adequately mitigates the impact of seismic retrofitting and construction.
- Once accepted, a copy of the THP must be served on the tenants 30 days before construction begins.
- Tenants have 15 days to appeal the THP. If appealed, HCIDLA will conduct an appeal hearing to determine the next steps.
Construction
CalRetrofit will begin construction, providing all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to perform the job scope:
- Arrive at project site, mark and prepare work areas for demolition and excavation.
- Demolish stucco work areas where columns, beams and framing connectors are anchored.
- Saw cut and demolish concrete at work area locations.
- Excavate trench for pad footing placements and grade beam installations.
- Haul and dispose of demolished concrete slab and excavated soil.
- Provide temporary steel cover plates over open trench areas for parking ability and safety.
- Provide, fabricate, transport, erect and connect structural steel columns and members.
- Provide, fabricate and install structural rebar frames for pad footings and grade beams.
- Provide and install blocking, continuity drag, steel plates and straps per plans.
- Provide and pour concrete for pad footings and grade beams.
- Provide and install lath wire screen over the exposed portion of the ceiling and new steel beams.
- Provide and cover newly retrofitted areas with new fire rated stucco.
- Paint and color match to existing building color.
City Mandated Inspections & Compliance Certificate
Our team works hand in hand with the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) inspectors and deputy inspectors to ensure your building is in compliance with the Los Angeles Retrofit Ordinance. All retrofitting construction will adhere to a pre-approved set of plans and are subject to inspection by LADBS inspector and deputy inspectors.
Retrofitting construction is normally inspected and approved in phases/successions and, therefore, no construction can continue beyond the point indicated in each phase, without obtaining the prior approval of the inspector. The approved set of plans must be readily available and provided on-site. Cal Retrofit notifies the inspector as soon as each phase of construction is ready for inspection.
Cost Recovery
Over the course of ten years, up to half of the total seismic retrofit cost may be passed through to tenants if approved by HCID-LA, we will prepare and provide a cost recovery substantiation to be filed along with your application to the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department. These applications must be submitted within 12 months of completion of your retrofitting construction.
The following documents must also be submitted along with the application:
- A copy of the Tenant Habitability Plan (THP);
- Documentation that supports of the costs:
(e.g. contracts, invoices, proof of payments, etc.); and - Rent roll that includes tenants’ move-in dates and current rents.
Once the application has been submitted, a Case Analyst from HCIDLA will be assigned to review it. Landlords and tenants will receive notification that the cost recovery application has been filed. The Case Analyst will review the submitted documentation and determine the correct pass-through amount. Because both landlords and tenants have a right to appeal the decision, a final determination form and an appeal form will be mailed to both.
Our Services
As your Single Point of Contact, we manage the entire process from receipt of your ‘order to comply’ all the way to your final inspection and compliance certification.
- Full Service Proposal
- Site Inspection Survey
- Remediation Design
Upon your request for proposal, an experienced retrofit analyst will survey, inspect and measure the property; along with our drafting and engineering department, design the most cost-effective structurally optimized remediation solution, proposed free of charge including a 3D Model CAD Design and all-inclusive quotation and timeline for the required scope of work.
If you’ve already obtained your structural engineering plans; send them over for a comprehensive construction bid and/or possible design minimization.
- Provide Structural Engineering
- Plan Check and Building Permit
Our skilled engineering department will prepare the required architectural and structural reinforcement plans; drawings, specifications and calculations to provide required compliance, submit plans to the department of building and safety for approval and obtain the building permit to begin the work.
Tenant Habitability Plan (THP)
CalRetrofit will prepare and submit the mandatory Tenant Habitability Plan as well as provide tenant notifications per HCID-LA regulations.
- The THP will only be accepted if it adequately mitigates the impact of seismic retrofitting and construction.
- Once accepted, a copy of the THP must be served on the tenants 30 days before construction begins.
- Tenants have 15 days to appeal the THP. If appealed, HCIDLA will conduct an appeal hearing to determine the next steps.
Construction
CalRetrofit will begin construction, providing all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to perform the job scope:
- Arrive at project site, mark and prepare work areas for demolition and excavation.
- Demolish stucco work areas where columns, beams and framing connectors are anchored.
- Saw cut and demolish concrete at work area locations.
- Excavate trench for pad footing placements and grade beam installations.
- Haul and dispose of demolished concrete slab and excavated soil.
- Provide temporary steel cover plates over open trench areas for parking ability and safety.
- Provide, fabricate, transport, erect and connect structural steel columns and members.
- Provide, fabricate and install structural rebar frames for pad footings and grade beams.
- Provide and install blocking, continuity drag, steel plates and straps per plans.
- Provide and pour concrete for pad footings and grade beams.
- Provide and install lath wire screen over the exposed portion of the ceiling and new steel beams.
- Provide and cover newly retrofitted areas with new fire rated stucco.
- Paint and color match to existing building color.
City Mandated Inspections & Compliance Certificate
Our team works hand in hand with the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) inspectors and deputy inspectors to ensure your building is in compliance with the Los Angeles Retrofit Ordinance. All retrofitting construction will adhere to a pre-approved set of plans and are subject to inspection by LADBS inspector and deputy inspectors.
Retrofitting construction is normally inspected and approved in phases/successions and, therefore, no construction can continue beyond the point indicated in each phase, without obtaining the prior approval of the inspector. The approved set of plans must be readily available and provided on-site. Cal Retrofit notifies the inspector as soon as each phase of construction is ready for inspection.
Cost Recovery
Over the course of ten years, up to half of the total seismic retrofit cost may be passed through to tenants if approved by HCID-LA, we will prepare and provide a cost recovery substantiation to be filed along with your application to the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department. These applications must be submitted within 12 months of completion of your retrofitting construction.
The following documents must also be submitted along with the application:
- A copy of the Tenant Habitability Plan (THP);
- Documentation that supports of the costs:
(e.g. contracts, invoices, proof of payments, etc.); and - Rent roll that includes tenants’ move-in dates and current rents.
Once the application has been submitted, a Case Analyst from HCIDLA will be assigned to review it. Landlords and tenants will receive notification that the cost recovery application has been filed. The Case Analyst will review the submitted documentation and determine the correct pass-through amount. Because both landlords and tenants have a right to appeal the decision, a final determination form and an appeal form will be mailed to both.
Recently Completed and In-Progress Soft Story Retrofit Projects
"We need to act decisively now to protect our state from senseless and preventable loss of life and property. To do nothing is simply criminal."
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
CALL US TODAY and let our team of professionals guide you through the process of bringing your property into compliance with your city’s soft-story retrofit ordinance.
Our Project Management Team
The level of services we provide makes CalRetrofit the most valued retrofitting provider in Los Angeles. We are Master Contractors who oversee every phase of the work. We have been performing seismic retrofits since 1995, and have completed well over 250 commercial retrofit projects.
The property owner or appointed agent, will be consistently updated throughout every phase of the work flow; our Engineering Coordinator will send you timely engineering updates as we progress through engineering and the LADBS plan check approval process. Our Field Coordinator will be onsite daily, to make sure all expectations are aligned.
Our Project Coordinator will send you timely notifications and important documents for your record keeping, as well as keep your team fully updated throughout every step of the construction process. Additionally, we will send your management team a username and password to access photos, updates and important project records.
Mandatory Retrofit Program
Property Owner’s Benefits
- Lower Earthquake Insurance Premiums
- Minimize Liability Losses
- Save on Interest
- Attract Tenants
Property Owner’s Responsibility
You’ve received the Order to Comply… What’s next?
2 Years
3.5 Years
7 Years
Don’t Delay! Costs increase when demand escalates
Right now, over 25,000 buildings are in need of retrofitting increasing demand for vendors, skilled workers, and materials. Owners who delay face an ever-increasing backlog of projects and you may have difficulty meeting compliance deadlines.
Retrofit Financing Made Easy
We now offer smarter, faster, tax driven financing provided as a solution for property owners to comply with mandated seismic retrofit building requirements.
Client's Testimonials
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
CALL US TODAY and let our team of professionals guide you through the process of bringing your property into compliance with your city’s soft-story retrofit ordinance.
“It’s not a question of if, but rather when the next big earthquake will hit Los Angeles. We’re taking action to shore up our buildings and better protect our city from the inevitable.”