Retrofitting Properties in The Bay Area

Seismic Retrofitting | San Francisco

Proud to Protect your Investment and Save Lives

100% focused on structural safety, Seismic Retrofitters offers expert consultation and construction services for your seismic retrofit needs.


Our soft-story, mixed-use, and residential clients have saved thousands of dollars because we use advanced retrofitting techniques to replace crumbling foundations and failing retaining walls; brace and bolt cripple walls; minimize lateral stresses on garage doors and large open spaces; upgrade electrical and plumbing; mitigate asbestos in walls and ceilings; ensure proper fire protection compliance; install automatic gas shutoff valves; perform soil stabilization and grout injection; add electric vehicle (EV) outlets in garages; and increase parking space without impacting property tax assessments (when feasible).


Contact us today to start protecting your assets.

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San Francisco's Choice for Seismic Retrofitting

At Seismic Retrofitters, we specialize in providing expert consultation and construction services tailored to address your seismic retrofitting needs. Seismic retrofitting is a crucial process aimed at enhancing a structure's resistance to seismic activities and earthquakes.


Our comprehensive services encompass replacing deteriorating foundations, fortifying retaining walls, bracing and bolting crippled walls, and minimizing lateral stresses on garage doors and open spaces. We also prioritize upgrades in electrical and plumbing systems, mitigate asbestos, ensure fire protection compliance, install automatic gas shutoff valves, perform soil stabilization through grout injection, and even facilitate the incorporation of electric vehicle (EV) outlets in garages.


Contact Seismic Retrofitters today for a consultation, and let's fortify your structure for a safer tomorrow.

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Enhancing Structural Resilience for a Safer Tomorrow

Garage door openings and/or large unreinforced ground-floor spaces are the most vulnerable to collapse under the strong lateral forces of an earthquake. In San Francisco, there are thousands of multi-unit buildings and homes with these “soft-story” conditions.


With the passing of San Francisco’s Mandatory Soft Story Retrofit Ordinance, seismic building codes have been updated, so it is important to know your building is being retrofitted to current seismic standards, which include the right hardware and installation methods of bolts, clips, holddowns, foundation footings, steel frames, and shear walls.



At Seismic Retrofitters, we work only with qualified engineers and reputable suppliers to offer both custom-engineered and pre-certified bracing systems to reduce costs and turnaround times.

Foundation Replacement: Ensuring Stability from the Ground Up

In the face of seismic uncertainty, the foundation is not just a part of your building—it's the bedrock of your safety. At Seismic Retrofitters, we recognize that a compromised foundation can spell disaster during an earthquake. That's why we offer comprehensive foundation replacement services, tailored to reinforce your property's resilience against seismic shocks.


Our skilled team assesses your current foundation's condition, designs a robust replacement strategy, and implements state-of-the-art techniques to secure your building's future. With our expertise, your foundation won't just be replaced; it'll be reimagined for maximum stability, ensuring peace of mind in a region where the earth can shift without warning.


Trust us to lay the groundwork for your safety—contact Seismic Retrofitters today for a foundation that stands firm against the tremors of tomorrow.

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Retaining Wall Reinforcement: Strength and Stability

Retaining walls are essential for maintaining the terrain and structural integrity of properties, especially in seismically active areas. At Seismic Retrofitters, we specialize in enhancing and constructing retaining walls that are not only durable but also engineered to withstand seismic forces.

Our approach involves assessing the existing structure, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and applying advanced techniques to ensure the wall's stability and longevity. Strengthen your property's defense against earthquakes with our expert retaining wall services, designed to provide safety and peace of mind.

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Proud to Protect Your Investment and Save Lives

We take pride in our commitment to safeguarding your investment and, more importantly, the lives within your property. Our seismic retrofitting services go beyond fortifying structures; they are a pledge to enhance safety and resilience.


By meticulously implementing measures such as foundation inspection and replacement, seismic bolting, shear wall applications, and upgrading various structural elements, we aim not only to protect your valuable assets but also to ensure the well-being of those who inhabit them.


Trust us to be the guardians of your investment, dedicated to saving lives and providing peace of mind in the face of seismic uncertainties.

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Our Services are Tailored for Your Structural Safety

Our comprehensive services encompass a thorough array of offerings to fortify your property against seismic risks. Beginning with on-site evaluations and expert consultations, we provide detailed construction bids and preliminary plans to ensure transparency in the process.


Our expertise extends to permitting and construction, where services include foundation inspection and replacement, seismic bolting to anchor dwellings, applying shear panels to enhance the shear strength of walls, adding new shear walls or upgrading existing ones, reinforcing garage doors and open spaces, replacing deteriorating foundations, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, mitigating asbestos, ensuring fire code compliance, reinforcing fireplace chimneys, installing automatic gas shut-off valves, incorporating electric vehicle (EV) outlets in garages, and, when feasible, expanding parking space within the garage.


Trust us for a comprehensive and meticulous approach to seismic retrofitting tailored to your needs.

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Why Retrofitting Now is the Best Choice

According to the USGS, a high-magnitude earthquake will likely strike the Bay Area within the next ten years. Considering this, ask yourself these questions:


  • Is my building properly retrofitted to avoid tenant displacement after a large earthquake?
  • Can I afford the 25% insurance deductible in the case of catastrophic damage?
  • Was previous work done with permits and the oversight of a qualified engineer?


There is no predictable earthquake season. And even if your building has survived previous quakes, buildings and foundations deteriorate over time. You cannot assume your building will hold up when the next “big one” hits.

Meet the Owner of Seismic Retrofitters

Meet the owner

Mark Barbagelata, owner of Seismic Retrofitters, has nearly three decades of experience in construction and real estate. He operates his business and raises his family in San Francisco. Mark understands the importance of safe and secure structures and, in particular, the uniqueness of San Francisco’s soft-story buildings.


After over a decade of high-end remodels, including one home that was recently showcased in the Gems of San Francisco tour, Mark created Seismic Retrofitters to bring fairly priced quality services and the latest seismic technology to property owners.
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What Our Clients Think About Us

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News About Seismic Retrofitters and Our Job

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about our services? We're here to help.

  • Why is Seismic Retrofitters so popular?

    Seismic Retrofitters has earned its popularity through an unwavering commitment to excellence in seismic retrofitting services. Our extensive experience and expertise in seismic retrofitting set us apart as industry leaders. Clients choose us repeatedly for our thorough on-site evaluations and expert consultations, ensuring a tailored approach to their unique needs. Our detailed construction bids and comprehensive plans, coupled with our proficiency in all aspects of seismic retrofitting, from foundation inspection and seismic bolting to upgrading shear walls and ensuring fire code compliance, make us the go-to choice for property owners seeking unparalleled protection. With Seismic Retrofitters, you can trust that your investment is in the hands of experts committed to delivering top-notch seismic retrofitting solutions.

  • What services do you provide?

    1. On-site evaluations and expert consultations
    2. Detailed construction bids and preliminary plans
    3. Permitting
    4. Construction:

    • Foundation inspection and replacement.
    • Anchoring a dwelling to its foundation through seismic bolting.
    • Increasing the shear strength of existing garage or chimney walls by applying shear panels.
    • Addition of new shear walls or upgrading existing interior walls, where applicable.
    • Improving the lateral shear strength of garage doors and large open spaces.
    • Replacing crumbling or sinking foundations and stem walls.
    • Upgrading electrical and plumbing.
    • Mitigating asbestos and ensuring fire code compliance.
    • Reinforcing and/or bracing fireplace chimneys.
    • Installing automatic gas shut-off valves.
    • Installing electric vehicle (EV) outlets in the garage.
    • Increasing parking space in the garage (when feasible).

  • What is Seismic Retrofitters philosophy?

    We are a third-generation San Francisco family business.


    Our philosophy is to improve the strength and safety of soft-story, multi-use, and residential buildings with a reasonable investment. We understand the financial and emotional connections our clients have with their homes and investment properties. Protecting what is most valuable to you—your property and the people who occupy it—is our business.

  • What is the best way to contact you?

    You can reach us by calling 415-822-4200. You can email us at mark@quakeprep.com. Or fill out the contact form here on our site.


    We can't wait to hear from you!

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Seismic Retrofitting

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