Seismic Retrofit Engineer in Orange County — Foundation Bolting, Shear Walls & Soft-Story Strengthening
Residential and commercial seismic retrofit design. Foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, shear wall upgrades, and soft-story reinforcement. PE-stamped plans for permit approval and contractor execution.
Seismic Retrofit Engineering for Every Building Type
Older buildings often lack the earthquake resistance required by modern codes. We design targeted upgrades that bring your structure into compliance.
Foundation bolting
Bolting the wood-frame structure to the concrete foundation. Prevents the house from sliding off the foundation during an earthquake.
Anchor bolt specification
Sill plate connection design
1–2 weeks
Cripple wall bracing
Strengthening short wood-frame walls between the foundation and first floor. These are the most vulnerable element in older California homes during seismic events.
Sheathing + nailing design
Hold-down specification
1–2 weeks
Soft-story retrofit
Strengthening multi-story buildings with weak ground floors (parking garages, tuck-under parking). Steel moment frames or plywood shear walls restore lateral resistance.
Steel moment frame design
Full lateral system analysis
3–5 weeks
Every Seismic Retrofit Package Includes
Structural calculations
Seismic (ASCE 7), wind, and gravity load analysis. Foundation design, beam sizing, connection forces — current California Building Code.
PE-stamped drawings
Foundation plan, framing plan, shear wall layout, connection details — detailed enough that your GC builds from them without field questions.
Jurisdiction review + PE stamp
Drawings reviewed against your city's plan check triggers before submission. PE stamp and signature — P.E. #82726, California.
Corrections + construction support
Plan check corrections responded to within 48 hours. Direct PE access during construction for RFIs, inspections, and field questions.
"From the first consultation visit to the delivery of final plans, Daniel went above and beyond to help us."
— Yelp Review, Orange County, CA
From First Call to Approved Permit
Scope call
Call or text (714) 215-7413, or submit the quote form. We review your retrofit project and send a written scope with a firm fee within 24 hours.
Same-day response. No obligation.
Document collection
Architectural plans, site survey, existing conditions gathered. GC coordination if applicable.
1–2 business days after deposit.
Structural design
Foundation evaluation, anchorage design, shear wall layout, hold-down specification — all to ASCE 7 and CBC seismic requirements. Reviewed against your city's plan check standards.
Bolting/bracing: 1–2 weeks. Soft-story: 3–5 weeks.
Delivery, stamp, and support
PE-stamped drawings delivered. Plan check corrections handled within 48 hours. Your PE stays available through construction for every RFI and inspection.
Support through project close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my house need a seismic retrofit?
How much does a seismic retrofit cost?
Is seismic retrofit required by law?
What's a soft-story building?
How long does the engineering take?
Do you handle the permit process?
Other Structural Engineering Services
Commercial & TI
Structural engineering for tenant improvements, seismic anchorage, equipment platforms, and code compliance.
Load-Bearing Wall Removal
Beam sizing, column design, and PE-stamped plans for open-concept remodels.
Inspections & letters
PE-stamped inspection letters for real estate, insurance, and permit compliance. Reports in 3–5 business days.