Seismic Retrofitting Can Protect Your Portland Home From Catastrophic Earthquake Damage, or Total Destruction.
We have current openings on our calendar and are booking appointments for seismic retrofitting now.
Simply fill in the form on the left to get started. We will contact you to schedule an appointment at your home for a free estimate.
Get The Facts on Seismic Retrofitting
Q: What is seismic retrofitting?
A: Seismic Retrofitting is a proven method of securing older homes to their foundations that can help prevent destructive movement in an earthquake, which can lead to damage, or a total loss on the home.
Q: What do you mean by "total loss"?
A: If your home shifts off its foundation due to a seismic event, it will usually be ruled unfit for habitation. Leading to a “total loss”.
Q: Is that as bad as it sounds?
A: It is. A total loss means you must pay to demolish your old home, and may be left with any existing mortgage, but no house, and potentially an additional mortgage for the new home built on your lot.
Q: Won’t my insurance cover the loss?
A: Quite possibly not. Many policies simply exclude earthquake coverage. Some insurance companies only offer earthquake coverage if the home has been seismically retrofit. Most policies have a 10%-25% deductible even if coverage is offered.
Q: How can seismic retrofitting help with this?
A: Two main ways. One, it can allow for insurance coverage, or reduce the cost of such coverage. Two, retrofitting has been shown to often mitigate earthquake damage, leading to a much lower repair bill in the event of a destructive quake.
Q: What are the economics of retrofitting?
A: The cost of retrofitting is far lower in almost all cases than the cost of a 10%-25% earthquake insurance deductible. Additionally, seismic retrofitting and insurance offer peace of mind that you have taken significant action to protect your home from seismic damage.
Q: I’m convinced. How does the process work?
A: We schedule a visit to your home, inspect the foundation and determine what sort of retrofitting is appropriate. If hired, we submit a plan for your seismic retrofit to, for example, the City of Portland and begin work.
Q: How much will seismic retrofitting cost
A: It depends on the size of your home, the difficulty of access to your foundation, and the materials used. We are competitive in price with any other retrofit company, and will strive to offer a comparable or lower bid. We believe we are also more responsive. We won’t leave you hanging for months like some other companies might.
Q: Why wouldn't I do this?
A: We don't know! Earthquake protection is important. Click the button to get started now.
Our story.
Bryan and Christian, two friends, concluded (as you probably have) that seismically retrofitting their properties was a smart idea. They called around to get bids. One local firm told them they would rush right out to provide an estimate... In Nine Months. Others were slightly more responsive, but seemed absurdly expensive.
Both were experienced remodelers and they decided to take matters into their own hands. After educating themselves on best practices for seismically retrofitting their historic homes, and getting the necessary equipment, they carried out the projects without a hitch.
Sensing an opportunity that would fit in well with Bryan's travel writing and Christian's local winemaking, they further educated themselves, and obtained the necessary licenses and insurance to carry out residential seismic retrofitting in Oregon.
They only schedule work they can conclude in a reasonable amount of time, for a reasonable price. Like you, they cherish their older homes, and know what's on the line. They're ready to help you protect your most valuable asset - TODAY.
Further Information on Seismic Retrofitting & Earthquake Risk
It Makes Sense Structurally.
We live in the Cascadian Subduction Zone. The earth's surface is composed of tectonic plates floating on a vast, underground sea of molten rock. Off the coast of Oregon, there is the Juan de Fuca Plate. The Juan de Fuca Plate is constantly growing, forming and being pushed up at its western boundary, and shoving the rest of the plate east.
Where the Juan de Fuca Plate meets the North American Plate, the Juan de Fuca Plate "subducts," that is, it sinks below the continental plate, gets pushed into the molten rock beneath it, and returns into the bowels of the earth. While it is pushing under the North American Plate though, it is exerting tremendous force. As the North American Plate resists the movement of the Juan de Fuca Plate, that force can be built up to extreme levels, and released through a sudden shift of the plate, or upheaval.
These Great Subduction Zone quakes are the largest in the world. The last one we know of appears to have occurred in January, 1700. We know from the geological record that there have been at least 7 of these giant quakes in the last 3,500 years.
Recent research carried out at Oregon State seems to suggest that there have been many more earthquakes, in more localized areas, than was previously believed.
Look at all those social media icons!
Coming Very Soon!
Questions about getting started? Drop us a line to find out more!
The sooner you act, the sooner your home will be more protected against seismic events.