Seismic Truth Audit™ (Existing Retrofit Reality Check)
For Bay Area homeowners who already had an earthquake retrofit and now want to know if it was actually done right.
You paid for a retrofit. You’ve got permits, maybe a grant, maybe an insurance discount. On paper, you should feel safe.
But something feels off:
- Different contractors say different things
- The crawl space doesn’t look like the drawings
- The city says you’re “compliant,” but you’re not sure the work would hold up in a real quake
That’s what the Seismic Truth Audit™ is for.
If you haven’t had any seismic work done yet and are still deciding whether you need it, start here instead:
Does My Home Need an Earthquake Retrofit? A Bay Area Homeowner’s Guide
What the Seismic Truth Audit™ Is
The Seismic Truth Audit™ is an in‑depth evaluation of an existing seismic retrofit. It is not a sales pitch for new work. It’s a hard, honest look at whether what you paid for:
- Matches the approved plans
- Meets current codes and best practices
- Actually reduces your earthquake risk the way you think it does
We designed this because we kept seeing “retrofitted” homes that were still one bad earthquake away from a disaster.
For a broader look at how retrofits, foundations, and drainage fit together, see:
Seismic, Foundation & Drainage Services
Who This Is For
You’re the right fit if:
- Your home or small apartment building has already been retrofitted (EBB, ESS, Plan Set A, custom engineer design, etc.)
- You have permits or paperwork but worry the work might be incomplete or low‑quality
- You’re considering a bond / CSLB complaint / insurance or legal action and need clear, technical documentation
- You’re about to sell or refinance and want to know if your “retrofitted” story will hold up
This is not the right starting point if you’ve never had retrofit work done. In that case, you likely want our:
Earthquake Safety Audit™
What We Actually Do During a Seismic Truth Audit™
1. Paper trail review
We gather and review:
- Building permits tied to the retrofit
- Stamped structural drawings and details
- Inspection history (passed/failed, corrections, final sign‑off)
- Your contract and any change orders for the original work
Goal: understand what was supposed to happen before we judge what did happen.
If your situation involves newer construction and SB 800 / Right to Repair issues, we can also map findings into that framework:
SB800 Construction Defect Evaluation & Technical Mapping
2. Field inspection and photo documentation
We perform a detailed on‑site evaluation focused on the retrofit areas:
- Crawl space, basement, or soft‑story framing and foundations
- Frames, shear walls, anchors, hold‑downs, clips, and other hardware
- Any new concrete footings, grade beams, or pads tied to the retrofit
We compare field conditions to the drawings and document everything with clear, labeled photos. If something doesn’t match, we show you exactly where and how.
3. Code and program compliance check
Based on your city/program (EBB, ESS, local soft‑story ordinance, Plan Set A, FEMA P‑1100, etc.), we evaluate:
- Whether the design met the applicable standard at the time
- Whether the as‑built work reasonably complies with that design and standard
- Whether there are critical defects or shortcuts that materially weaken the retrofit
We’re not looking for theoretical perfection; we’re looking for whether the job actually does what you thought you were buying.
For more on how load paths should work in a properly designed retrofit, see:
Beyond Foundation Bolts: The California Seismic Load Path Guide for Bay Area Homes
What You Get: Deliverables
1. Plain‑English summary
- What was designed, what was built, and where they match or don’t
- Clear statement on whether the retrofit is:
- Essentially sound
- Partially deficient
- Seriously deficient / unsafe
2. Photo‑rich field report
- Labeled photos of key elements (or missing elements)
- Annotations showing where work deviates from plans or standards
3. Priority list of corrections (if needed)
- Red: critical fixes recommended as soon as possible
- Yellow: important improvements when budget allows
- Green: acceptable as‑is
4. Optional: support package for next steps
Material you can use with:
- Your engineer (to design corrections)
- CSLB / bond / legal counsel (if you pursue recourse)
- Future contractors (to bid correction work properly)
If you expect to pursue bond, CSLB, or insurance routes, we can bundle the Seismic Truth Audit™ with:
Bond, CSLB & Insurance Claim Assistance
If you are in active or anticipated litigation, we can also support you as an expert:
Construction Expert Witness & Litigation Support
Typical Situations Where This Pays Off
We’re most useful when:
- You suspect a grant‑driven retrofit (EBB/ESS) was rushed or done by a non‑specialist
- The inspector “signed off,” but obvious corners were cut
- Different contractors have given conflicting opinions and you need a neutral, documented answer
- You’re considering legal or regulatory action and need a technical foundation, not just anger
In other words: when being right (or wrong) about your retrofit could cost or save you a lot of money.
How the Process Works
- Intake
- We confirm your location, building type, what retrofit was done, and why you’re concerned.
- Document collection
- You send permits, plans, contracts, and any past reports you have.
- We review before the site visit so we know what the contractor said they would do.
- On‑site Seismic Truth Audit™
- Detailed crawl/garage/basement inspection, measurements, and photos.
- Report & review
- You receive the written report and photos.
- We schedule a review call to walk you through findings and answer questions.
- If you want, we can discuss correction options and cost implications.
If you want to stop guessing about whether your retrofit was done right, the Seismic Truth Audit™ gives you one thing: the truth, with enough detail to decide what to do next and enough evidence to back you up.
For owners who haven’t had any seismic work yet and are starting earlier in the journey, these homeowner guides are a good foundation:
- Under Your Home: The Bay Area Crawl‑Space & Foundation Guide
- Your Home vs The Next Earthquake: A Practical Guide for Bay Area Owners
