Living in a vibrant city like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, or West Hollywood comes with its benefits, but also with some responsibilities. One of those is earthquake safety.
With the recent enforcement of soft-story retrofitting ordinances, many apartment owners are facing a decision: tackle it now or face the consequences.
this isn’t just about following the rules (although that’s important too!). Since these laws came out in 2015-2016, the demand for qualified contractors and engineers has increased. Waiting could result in a double penalty – you’ll not only face potential fines but likely have to pay a premium for professionals.
Let’s learn from our neighbors in San Francisco. They faced similar retrofitting requirements a few years back. The result? A surge in costs and long wait times for contractors. Don’t let your building become the next case study!
This article will dive deeper into the pitfalls of delaying your retrofit and offer some tips on how to navigate the process smoothly. Because feeling safe and secure is priceless in an earthquake country.
Case Study in San Francisco – 484 Delinquent Buildings (Not Met The City Guidelines to Initiate a Retrofit)
According to Curbed.com, and how San Francisco serves as a cautionary tale. San Francisco passed its seismic retrofitting ordinance in 2013, a full two years before Los Angeles. After four long years and the first deadline, guess how many buildings still hadn’t even submitted plans?
A whopping 484 buildings hadn’t even submitted plans! The city promptly labeled them delinquent.
In simple words, San Francisco passed a similar law in 2013, and after 4 years, there were still hundreds of buildings that hadn’t even started the process!
This shows us what might happen in Los Angeles. Because waiting to fix your building could cost you more money in the long run. With so many buildings needing work at the same time, the cost of engineers and construction crews could go up. It’s kind of like waiting in a long line – the longer you wait, the more it might cost you.
Hence, the same thing could happen here in LA. If everyone waits until the last minute, it could become a scramble to find someone to do the work, and you might end up paying a lot more.
The Supply & Demand of Contractors in LA and San Francisco
Many San Francisco property owners took a “wait and see” approach to the soft-story retrofitting ordinance. Three years after the deadline, only 14% of buildings in the first group were compliant. This delay had big consequences.
There needs to be more engineers and contractors with the skills needed for soft-story retrofits. When demand goes up (like it did in San Francisco), the price goes up too. These specialized contractors were busy with other projects, and they were interested in something other than buying expensive equipment for a small number of retrofit jobs.
Now, those same contractors are booked solid with other work. So, what does this mean for you?
- Higher Prices: When you finally need a contractor, you’ll likely pay more due to the limited options.
- Less Experienced Contractors: With fewer contractors focusing on retrofits, you might end up with someone who has less experience in this specific type of work.
Don’t wait! Get your soft-story retrofit done now to avoid these headaches and ensure your building is earthquake-safe.
Start Your Soft Story Retrofit Now!
As we step into 2024, the urgency for apartment building owners in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood to complete their seismic retrofits has never been greater. With the retrofit ordinances now well into their implementation phase, property owners are under increasing pressure to meet compliance deadlines.
The market conditions today are starkly different from those in 2018. The demand for skilled general contractors and structural engineers has continued to escalate, leading to significant backlogs and higher costs. Delaying your retrofit project now means facing even steeper prices and extended wait times. Engineers and contractors are in short supply, and their schedules are booked months in advance, making it critical to secure their services as soon as possible.
In 2024, the cost of seismic retrofits has surged due to the continued high demand for both engineering and construction services. Backlogs for engineers now stretch beyond six weeks, and construction quotes have risen sharply. Missing the deadline for retrofitting your building will result in “Order to Comply” notices from the city, followed by stringent enforcement actions. This high demand, combined with limited resources, is a recipe for escalating costs and delays.
Safety: The Ultimate Priority
The primary goal of these retrofit ordinances is to enhance safety. Soft-story buildings are particularly susceptible to collapse during earthquakes. Historical events like the Northridge Earthquake in 1994 and the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989 have shown the devastating impact of seismic activity on unreinforced structures. By complying with retrofit regulations, you are not only adhering to legal requirements but also safeguarding the lives of your tenants and the structural integrity of your property.
San Francisco’s response to similar retrofit ordinances offers a valuable lesson. Many property owners delayed their projects, leading to increased costs and severe penalties. In Los Angeles, the scenario is no different—procrastination will only exacerbate financial and logistical challenges.
Hence, the time to act is now. Delaying your seismic retrofit project will result in higher costs, longer wait times and potential penalties. Ensure the safety of your building and its occupants by starting your retrofit process today. By taking prompt action, you can avoid the pitfalls of procrastination and ensure compliance with city ordinances, all while protecting your investment.
The Shortage of Structural Engineers
As of 2024, the shortage of qualified engineers and experienced contractors to perform soft-story retrofits remains a critical issue for property owners in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Monica. The Bay Area still grapples with retrofitting over 54,000 soft-story units, while Los Angeles and Santa Monica collectively face the task of retrofitting approximately 15,000 units.
Over the past few years, the demand for these specialized services has only intensified, with a significant increase in both construction and engineering projects. Despite efforts to address this demand, the availability of skilled contractors and structural engineers remains limited. This scarcity is exacerbated by the fact that many professionals are focused on projects they are most familiar with, further shrinking the labor pool for soft-story retrofits.
In response to this ongoing challenge, property owners must act swiftly. Hiring your structural engineer and contractor as early as possible is more important than ever to secure their services before demand peaks further. Delaying could result in higher costs, longer wait times, and increased competition for the limited number of qualified professionals available.
The Time to Retrofit is Now!
While 2018 offered a window of opportunity for cost-effective seismic retrofits in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, several years have passed, and the landscape has shifted.
Here’s why waiting any longer could be a costly mistake for apartment building owners.
- Demand for engineers and contractors is at an all-time high. The initial rush predicted in 2018 has come and gone, but the need for retrofits continues. This sustained demand means securing qualified professionals for your project is becoming increasingly competitive.
- Expect longer wait times and higher costs. With a busy construction industry, securing engineering plans and construction quotes can take significantly longer compared to 2018. This can easily push your project timeline back by months, potentially causing delays and putting you at risk of city enforcement. Additionally, anticipate a rise in service costs – both engineering and construction – as competition for these professionals intensifies.
- Remember, safety is paramount. The urgency behind these retrofits isn’t just about deadlines and penalties. Soft-story buildings are demonstrably vulnerable during earthquakes, as evidenced by past events like the Northridge Earthquake in 1994 and the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. By prioritizing a retrofit now, you’re safeguarding the lives of your tenants and the structural integrity of your building.
How Much Do You Have to Pay?
The cost of retrofitting has gone up.
Expect to pay $47,000 – $108,000 for a 3-5 unit building, a jump from 2018 prices.
Site conditions matter – get quotes based on your specific building. Interest rates are rising, so factor that in financing.
Plus, the market for unreinforced buildings could take a hit. Bottom line: act now to avoid higher costs and safeguard your investment.
About Us – LUX Construction Group!
For over 35 years, Soft-Story Retrofit professionals of LUX Construction Group have been helping homeowners with their retrofit projects.
When you choose us, you hire an experienced team of professionals dedicated to designing, engineering, and building your retrofit solution. We manage city representations, and permit processing, and ensure timely project completion.
If you’re ready to work with one of the best seismic retrofitters in Los Angeles, schedule a complimentary consultation and assessment by clicking here. Save time and money with Soft-Story Retrofit Pros – your trusted partner in seismic retrofitting.
Don’t wait until the next wave of demand hits and prices soar even higher. Take action today. By being proactive, you can secure qualified professionals at a reasonable cost and ensure your building is prepared to withstand future seismic events.
