For many property owners and managers, the thought of any construction process that may involve an occupied building is seen as a headache they would much rather delay than complete.  Communications between owners, contractors and especially tenants can be notoriously complicated. Putting off necessary building improvements such as seismic wall bracing, however, can be just plain dangerous; older buildings are a hazard on their own and to the surrounding properties.  Many cities today require seismic bracing; the City of Berkeley, the City of San Diego, and City of Burbank, and the City of Los Angeles all realize the danger of commercial properties built more than ten years ago.  These cities and others have passed city ordinances mandating building owners to retrofit their buildings for earthquakes.  Finding a professional contractor is a necessary task but there are a few tips for Los Angeles property owners to consider to help avoid unnecessary hassles and expense for voluntary structural seismic wall bracing.

Choose seismic contractors, not general contractors, for structural and earthquake retrofit work.

There are many general construction companies that claim to be experts in earthquake retrofitting.  Unfortunately, their specialized experience in this area is minimal compared to that of an earthquake retrofitting specialist.  An earthquake retrofit requires very specific training and experience in the selection and installation of the appropriate materials.  Selecting a “generalist” to perform the retrofit may seem to be more convenient initially, but in the long run, the decision to go with a general contractor can be quite costly, with the results falling short of your ultimate expectations.  When choosing a contractor for an earthquake retrofit, be sure to consider these key points:

• Review the earthquake retrofit contractor’s testimonial pages for evidence of prior clients with positive comments.  Look for clients whose expectations were met – clients who had their work performed right the first time, without additional delays or expense and with successful final inspections. Often, commercial property owners go through structural repairs in order to improve their insurance rates or marketability. Therefore, a successful final inspection will help attain the primary goal.

• If a building in the Los Angeles area is considered to be an historical property, it is important to make sure you work only with experienced specialty contractors.  Historical buildings have their own unique set of civic standards that must be followed; these local standards are over and above the safety engineering requirements in state building codes.  Historical societies have a low tolerance for damage or modification to a building’s structure, roof, façade, or interior.  Make sure that every crew member that works with the contractor you choose has experience in working on historical buildings.

• Commercial property owners have a responsibility to protect the safety of all the occupants of the building.  Regular building maintenance and necessary structural repairs can protect owners and REIT shareholders from litigation.

• It is important for your lender to be aware of the structural bracing and other earthquake retrofitting changes completed on your building.  In most cases, an earthquake retrofit will reduce your building’s PML rate and thus, the risk to the lender.  If your building is on the market, a low PML rating will help to sell it faster and at a higher price, typically compensating for the cost of the retrofit.

Voluntary seismic wall bracing with specialist contractors makes the best financial and safety sense.

Saunders Commercial Seismic Commercial Retrofit serves the Los Angeles area with specialized processes for historical and occupied buildings. Structural changes will improve the value of your commercial property and the safety of the occupants.  To get more information on contractors who specialize in seismic wall bracing and structural repair in Los Angeles, call our experienced team today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

When attempting to finance a commercial mortgage or loan, the goal is to present your building in the best possible light. Lenders use a well-defined set of rubrics they have created to calculate the amount of risk that a building carries. One such rating is known as the PML score and lenders frequently specify that a PML of less than 20% is the only score they will accept.  If your building currently does not meet that required PML score, there are a number of ways to reduce the score to bring it within the required range.

PML stands for Probable Maximum Loss. While there are different confidence levels associated with a PML, it is typically the estimate of the mean amount of loss that a building is likely to suffer from the rocking and rolling of an earthquake. Loss mechanisms such as fire, flooding from broken water lines, fault rupture, and dam or tsunami inundation are not included. The loss to the contents of the building or business interruption are also not considered in this calculation. Typically, the PML estimate and report take into consideration the existing features of the building that are both positive and negative. A high PML estimate is an important indicator that the building has severe seismic vulnerabilities.

When a lender calculates a PML score, there are two main pieces of data that are used for the estimate. The first set of data includes the site characteristics, such as proximity to a fault and the soil type.  Unfortunately, there is no way to change where the property is located. The second set of data centers around the building and its characteristics. This part of the calculation is something that property owners, long term tenants or lenders can influence.

It is important to note that there are some specific building characteristics which influence a PML estimate, including the following:

• The construction method and materials used

• The year the building was constructed and the building codes that were in place at that time

• The geometry of the building, such as plan and elevation irregularities

• The condition of the building such as roof condensation, corrosion, dry rot, termite damage

• Any seismic retrofit process completed to reinforce walls

Taking a building through an earthquake retrofitting process in the Los Angeles area is not just a little added safety feature.  Buildings constructed prior to the 1990’s are likely to have a number of retrofitting issues due to changes in the state and local building codes.  An earthquake retrofit can help strengthen a building, preventing concrete and masonry walls from falling away, roofs and floors from caving in, and soft stories, like tucked under parking, from collapsing.

While the cost of earthquake retrofitting any commercial property may seem like an expensive maintenance project, be sure to compare it to the costs associated with rebuilding, along with other potential liabilities issues, in the event of a major loss from a truly devastating earthquake. In the case of getting financing, or even commercial building insurance, earthquake retrofitting may be the factor that determines the deal.

Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit in California has extensive experience specializing in retrofitting buildings for the impact of an earthquake. Their seasoned professionals offer a detailed bid and budgeting quote that helps owners accurately estimate the costs associated with the steps needed to complete a retrofitting process. Once Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit has completed a thorough earthquake retrofit process, lenders who specify a PML of 20% or less are usually satisfied with the reduced risk.

To get more information regarding an earthquake retrofit tor reducing the PML rating of your California building, call Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

While nursery rhymes may be a fun part of playtime for kids, in the world of commercial property, the concept of “build it and forget it” is downright dangerous.  The lifespan of a commercial structure is typically determined by design, materials, engineering, and the environment.  In reality, there simply is no structure built that doesn’t require some form of ongoing maintenance.

Avoiding major structural failure is entirely possible when the materials are not stressed beyond their capacity.  While building codes in California and other tremor-prone areas have improved over the last twenty years, the majority of older buildings remain vulnerable to earthquake events. Commercial properties built prior to 1987 aren’t considered to be engineered well enough to withstand the strain of earthquake activity.  When an entire community of aging buildings that have not been retrofitted is hit by the force of an earthquake, injury and devastation are bound to occur.

The reality today is that a structure that has been designed well can sustain a localized failure without the collapse of the entire structure. If the building was not originally designed to accomplish that, it must be retrofitted.  So the question is this: how can you determine if your commercial property needs to be strengthened through a retrofit process?  Both the age of the building and the type of building are typically considered when contemplating the need for an earthquake retrofit.  The following is a list of points to consider:

Time period:

• If the commercial property was built before 1978, it will definitely need to an earthquake retrofit to strengthen the structure.
• If the property was built in the 80′s or early 90′s, it most likely will need an earthquake retrofit.
• If the property was built less than 20 years ago, chances are that it was designed and constructed based on more current and stricter building codes. The potential is still there for the need to retrofit the building, however it is much less than with older commercial buildings.

Type of building:

• Concrete tilt-up and reinforced masonry buildings usually require roof-to-wall anchors, continuity ties, and sometimes even steel brace frames (depending on the shape of the building), to ensure the roof does not fall apart if the walls move during an earthquake.
• Wall strengthening with tube steel or fiber wrapping may be necessary for un-reinforced masonry buildings. This particular type of building may also need new roof-to-wall connections and a new plywood overlay on the roof.
• Heavy concrete buildings that are two or more stories tall may need strengthening systems to help them withstand extreme weight.
• Buildings with an open first floor and a closed second floor do very poorly in most earthquake situations. They usually require steel framing and shear walls to prevent the first floor from rotating and collapsing during stress and movement of an earthquake.

Without being retrofitted, most commercial buildings do not qualify for earthquake insurance.  No amount of insurance, however, can cover negligence.  If you know your building requires structural work in order to be safe, it will be your responsibility to make sure the necessary work is completed.  It is important to remember that you could be held liable for injuries and damages if you knew repairs were needed and you refused to complete the necessary work.

Once the age and construction method of your building has been determined, it is important to find an experienced structural engineer or seismic contractor to thoroughly inspect the property to determine what repairs and strengthening measures are actually needed. They will understand the benefits of retrofitting and can explain any options regarding the scope of work necessary and along with the associated costs.

Don’t wait for tremors to start before taking retrofit needs seriously.

Having your building retrofitted (properly anchored and reinforced) and having the hazards removed is a primary aspect of earthquake preparation for both residential and commercial properties.  It is much more affordable and safe to retrofit a building before an earthquake hits, rather than waiting to repair expensive damages or pay for liabilities after an earthquake occurs. To get more information on how to determine if your building needs to be retrofitted or to schedule an earthquake retrofit inspection, call Saunders Seismic Commercial Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

Many homeowners and families prepare for earthquakes by creating an emergency response plan, purchasing earthquake kits, first aid kits, and so on.  These are all great ideas for individuals and families.  In the business world, planning for strong seismic activity is often more complicated.  Individuals or investors that own commercial real estate need to prepare the same items as individuals, plus they need to make additional preparations for their tenants and real estate.  This is especially important in multi-family dwellings, such as apartment buildings, where entire families occupy the units.

Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, multi-family dwellings of wood framed construction, particularly those with “soft story” construction or “tuck under” parking, sustained heavy structural damage.  In the aftermath, more than 2,700 multifamily dwellings (30,000 living units) had to be vacated or had significant structural damage from that one powerful earthquake..

Because of the lessons learned from the Northridge Earthquake, builders and property owners are much more aware of the built-in seismic risk to multi-family dwellings with soft story construction or tuck under parking.  Building codes have changed since then, therefore, it is in the best interest of all parties to have a thorough earthquake retrofit evaluation on this type of building structure.  This is especially true if the building is more than ten years old.  Investors, insurance companies, banks, and the government are all interested in having buildings strong, secure and ready to handle the impact of any seismic activity.

Instead of costly repairs performed after a major earthquake, it is much more cost effective and efficient to proactively retrofit a commercial property.  There are a variety of ways to earthquake retrofit a building with soft-story construction.  The most cost effective method to strengthen the diaphragm and shear walls is to sheath them with structural grade plywood nailed to the existing wood framing, thus improving the lateral force resisting system. Sometimes however, that is not enough; in fact, there are times when a steel moment frame with concrete footing is needed to improve the lateral resisting system.

It is important to discuss earthquake retrofitting with a licensed structural engineer and a licensed contractor in order to get a detailed a summary of the retrofit scope and a rough cost estimate.  The unique characteristics of the building, as well as its location, age, condition of construction, parking needs, and local building code requirements will dictate the type of mitigation measures needed to complete an earthquake retrofit effectively.

As a property owner or manager, you have the responsibility to promote the safety and security of your commercial property, especially for the tenants, machinery and inventory.  The professional team at Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit can provide a comprehensive and multi-faceted evaluation of your building.  In addition, Saunders will provide a retrofit insurance quote based on present and after-retrofitting values so you can easily calculate your Return on Investment.  If you have questions about earthquake preparedness or building structure safety, call Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

Over the last couple of years, we have all witnessed the damage that comes from a powerful earthquake. Consider the pictures we have seen in the news of the devastation in both Japan and Haiti. Both locations should remind us of the importance of building codes and proper building construction.  When considering whether we are ready, should such a powerful earthquake hit the West Coast (or anywhere in the US for that matter), most cities in the US would fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. One place to start in improving the overall safety of our commercial properties is to strengthen the non-structural elements of a building for seismic impact.

Warehouses and commercial buildings have many areas that can become hazards once the ground starts to shift and shake during an earthquake.  Equipment can collapse and often heavy items that hang from the ceiling will swing loose and fall; falling items often create dangerous conditions for those trying to safely evacuate an office building, warehouse, factory or even an apartment building during an earthquake. 

We do not often think about it, but secondary problems can also quickly destroy a building. Gas fires occur as the gas lines break. If that occurs, it is often likely that fire sprinklers will also break, creating additional disaster damage. Not only will the sprinklers not be operational to put the fire out, but you will have disgusting, sludge-filled water spray over the entire building.  Even seismic tremors that don’t bring down a building can result in many thousands of dollars in damage just from water and fire.

The following is a list of non-structural items to secure and anchor before the possible impact of a powerful earthquake:

• Fire sprinklers
• Racking systems that store equipment
• Light fixtures
• Ceiling grids
• Equipment in manufacturing plants

The process of securing commercial buildings for the damaging impact of an earthquake often starts with an inspection for structural repairs or seismic retrofitting.  When a thorough earthquake retrofitting inspection is performed on a commercial property, structural concerns, along with non-structural issues that require attention (such as the ones listed above), are often found. Structural repairs that may or may not be directly related to earthquake retrofitting can be made on any type of building, such as masonry, concrete tilt up, steel or wood-framed buildings. Installation of roof diaphragms, Glue Laminated Beams (GLB), purlins, sub-purlin, plywood and walls are among any number of potential structural repairs that may be necessary with a complete earthquake retrofit. In the long run, an earthquake retrofit is time and cost effective, even if your building is currently occupied.

Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit, with locations in the Los Angeles area, specializes in securing and strengthening commercial buildings. If you would like more information on how to get an inspection for earthquake retrofitting or how to secure the non-structural elements of your building before an earthquake, call the professional team at Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit today at 949-646-0034.

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

An earthquake retrofit provides current structures with more much resistance to earthquakes and other seismic activity.  In commercial and industrial buildings, the earthquake retrofitting process typically includes strengthening all weak areas found in roof to wall connections, shear walls, continuity ties, and the roof diaphragm.

Most older buildings may be dramatically unprepared to withstand the force of even low-level tremors. In the past, building codes were less stringent compared to today’s standards.  Therefore, it is a good idea to inspect all buildings constructed before the 1990’s, as they were built prior to the more current structural codes/requirements.  Most commercial property owners will find, after a thorough building inspection, that if their building is more than 10 years old, an earthquake retrofit will be strongly suggested to provide the extra strength needed to withstand future earthquakes.

There are many types of structures that may benefit from an earthquake retrofit, including homes, commercial and industrial buildings, not to mention bridges and dams.  Buildings in the Los Angeles area and along the entire West Coast, are quite diverse in their design structure, age, and style; specific considerations may be needed before being reinforced.  Considerations include the following:

Concrete Tilt-Up & Reinforced Masonry

An earthquake retrofit for buildings like this typically involves adding anchors that interconnect the roof and floor framing directly to the walls and continuity ties throughout the building. Depending on the shape and size of the building, steel brace frames are often added to the structure.  The concrete tilt-up and masonry walls used in commercial properties are extremely heavy and when they tremble and shake in an earthquake, they exert a great deal of force. The main reason that an earthquake retrofit is necessary for these buildings is to ensure the heavy walls will not pull away from the roof and floor framing which it supports.

Soft Story Conditions or “Tuck Under” Apartment Buildings

These buildings have an open first floor (such as ground level parking or underground parking) with one or more floors above (living or business quarters).  These buildings do not easily handle the movement caused by an earthquake, since they do not have any way to resist the lateral forces along the open elevations.  In order to strengthen this type of building, steel moment frames, concrete footing and drag lines must be added to keep the first floor from rotating and collapsing.  For apartment buildings, shear walls are commonly added to the existing walls on the interior areas of the parking stalls for reinforcement.

Un-reinforced Masonry

As with concrete tilt-up and reinforced masonry buildings, an earthquake retrofit for buildings with un-reinforced masonry also requires adding roof and floor wall anchors and continuity ties.  However, an earthquake retrofit for this type of building may also require a new plywood overlay for the roof. In addition, there are often too many openings on the ground level, such as large open storefront windows, in un-reinforced masonry buildings. Therefore, additional strengthening is required; a moment frame or brace frame must be installed or a small opening may need infilling to resist the shear loads.  Some un-reinforced masonry buildings have walls that are too slender and require a fix such as tube steel strongbacks, gunite or epoxy fiber wrapping.

Concrete Buildings More Than Two Stories

Because of their size and weight, these buildings exert a tremendous force.  An earthquake retrofit to reinforce buildings with multiple stories includes a combination of concrete shear walls, gunite, fiber wrapping, steel collectors, and many other types of strengthening systems.

Earthquake retrofitting is done for a variety of reasons, with the most common reason being to ensure the safety and security of a building’s employees, machinery and inventory.  While it is nice to imagine that all buildings in danger zones were built right the first time, that is simply not the reality.  For additional information regarding an earthquake retrofit inspection for your building, call Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

California residents have all seen or gone through earthquake drills and preparation programs that focus on “drop, cover, and hold on!”  Most residents typically go about their everyday lives with some basic knowledge of what to do when the earth begins to tremble and shake. It is easy to forget, however, just how much catastrophic damage can occur even from fairly mild tremors. When complete roofs cave-in and masonry walls break away from their foundations, damages and injuries can be monumental. The impact of broken gas and water lines, fires and flooding can have equally devastating effects. Both the financial and the human costs become astounding.

It is alarming to note that only 10% of the industrial buildings on the west coast are covered by earthquake insurance. Often, this is not because the property owners do not want coverage; in most cases, they are not be able to afford the premiums or cannot get a policy. Having your commercial building go through an earthquake retrofitting process can substantially save on earthquake insurance premiums; savings are sometimes as much as 20-40%. Going through an earthquake retrofitting sometimes even allows a policy to be written that previously was rejected. Even thorough preparation, including safety renovations, cannot completely prevent costly damage, insurance can help defray some of the expenses incurred. Retrofitting a building with earthquake anchors is a fairly inexpensive way to accomplish an insurable status.

Tips for finding a contractor to retrofit your commercial property:

If you’re thinking about using a general contractor to complete an earthquake retrofit for your commercial building, it would be wise to think again. There are several potential problems with takng this path. First of all, a general contractor may not be experienced at retrofitting in occupied spaces; it is also very possible that they have little to no experience at all with earthquake retrofitting!  General contractors are willing to do just about any type of work, with or without the experience to back it up. If they never or rarely do retrofitting work, chances are high that they don’t have highly defined processes in place, with the necessary experience and strategies to get it done quickly, affordably and correctly.

In addition, general contractors may also sub-contract the work out to another company. If the sub-contractor is someone with appropriate experience, you will likely pay a mark-up of at least 10% over what it would cost if you chose an experienced retrofit company directly.

The benefits of choosing a retrofit company with a team of highly skilled and experienced earthquake retrofit installers:

• Better protection and anchoring of your building
• No secondary damage due to inexperienced contractors
• No loss of business time if you choose a contractor experienced in occupied spaces
• Contractor will give you a before-and-after insurance quote status so you can see the potential return on your investment
• Increased chance of insurance savings or earthquake policy approval

After you have made the decision to retrofit your building and you are choosing a contractor to complete the job, be sure to remember that if it is not done correctly, you many not discover it until the retrofit fails during an earthquake.

A complete retrofit examination often finds that a building may have insufficient anchors for the roof, walls, and foundation. Working with a California earthquake retrofitting contractor who can provide you with a complete inspection and comprehensive repair services is the best way to shore up your commercial building before the next damaging earthquake strikes. Making sure that the work is done professionally and accurately will give you the necessary confidence to know that you have done everything possible to ensure your building is sturdy and safe for your tenants or employees.

Don’t wait for the next tremor to address the weaknesses in your building!

Removing hazards and anchoring the building are the primary aspects of earthquake preparation for both commercial and residential properties. Saunders Seismic Commercial Retrofit provides commercial building owners an insurance quote based on present and after-retrofitting values. While saving on insurance premiums is important, it is much more affordable and safe to retrofit a building before an earthquake occurs rather than to fix expensive damages later. To get more information on finding a contractor in the Los Angeles area to help you anchor your building and to save on earthquake insurance premiums, call Saunders Seismic Commercial Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

Earthquake retrofitting buildings on the West Coast, especially on California, is one of the best ways to strengthen the structural integrity of a property before an earthquake disaster occurs. When it comes to responsible safety preparations, the sooner you schedule an earthquake retrofit evaluation and the necessary work to be done, the better chance your building will stand up to the stress of a major earthquake. Understandably, most commercial building owners and property managers would like to be able to choose the best time to undergo major structural work, preferably waiting until their property is in between tenants and vacant. While a vacant building is certainly the best setting for completing major renovation and building improvement, you really should not wait until when that time comes. The best case scenario is to get the evaluation and work completed as soon as possible. If you choose a company that is experienced with working in occupied spaces, you can begin the work fairly quickly, thus protecting your building from thousands of dollar of potential damages.

When was the last time anyone inspected your property’s roof? Re-roofing may only be necessary once every 10-20 years. However, if your building needs a new roof or extensive roof repair, including an earthquake retrofit into the property maintenance project will ensure that the time and money spent is effective in creating a safer work environment for your tenants and lessens the possibility of extensive damage when the “Big One” strikes. This is because access to complete the retrofit work is performed above the roof deck. Combining these two building improvements can provide a substantial cost savings. Many property managers and building owners choose to do this work in the summer; it makes sense to tackle capital improvement and maintenance projects when the chance of rain is typically less and the the days are longer.

If you decide to combine a roof replacement with an earthquake retrofit, you will want to put together a strong team of experienced contractors who can work together effectively and efficiently. Coordination is key on such a large project and communication between the property manager, tenants and the contractors is critical. Hiring an experienced retrofit contractor is absolutely essential.

In order to save money, it may be tempting to hire a general contractor to complete an earthquake retrofitting of your building, including any necessary roof repair or maintenance. Many general contractors do not have much, if any, specific earthquake retrofitting experience. Be sure to look for experienced, professional contractors specializing in commercial earthquake retrofitting to handle the important job of protecting your property from an earthquake.

As a property owner or manager, you have the responsibility to promote the safety and security of your commercial property, including the tenants, machinery and inventory. Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit can provide a comprehensive and multifaceted evaluation of your building. In addition, Saunders will provide a retrofit insurance quote based on present and after-retrofitting values so you can easily calculate your Return on Investment. If you have questions about earthquake preparedness or want to know what is the best time to retrofit your building from earthquakes, call Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

It is common knowledge that seismic disturbances have increased in California, not to mention around the world.  While it is not difficult to believe that the next big quake won’t happen nearby, the fact is no one can predict when or where the next big earthquake will actually strike.  Even along major fault lines and in areas that frequently experience tremors, seismic activity is often surprising and unsettling.

While many commercial building owners choose not to carry earthquake insurance for their properties, many are unable to get adequate earthquake insurance due to the condition of the property.  The buildings just do not meet insurance company standards for safety and security.  In the last few years, many areas around the globe have experienced powerful earthquakes that have caused incredible damage.  All it will take is the same incredibly strong seismic activity here in Los Angeles to possibly experience the unimaginable devastation that we have seen in the news.

Earthquake retrofitting a building in Los Angeles is one of the best ways to strengthen the structural integrity of a property before disaster strikes.  When it comes to responsible safety preparations, it is wise to begin them as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the perfect time.  Most building owners and property managers, however, would prefer to choose the optimal time to undergo a major structural overhaul.  They would prefer to wait until the building is vacant to complete a major renovation or building improvement project, when in reality the best solution is to get it started now.  Sooner than later is the best option when considering an earthquake retrofit process for any commercial property.  If you select a professional company that is knowledgeable and experienced with working in occupied buildings, you can protect your property from costly potential damages.  No one knows when the “Big One” will hit.

A new roof is typically needed only once every 10-20 years.  If it is time for a new roof on your commercial building, or if the roof needs considerable repair work done, it would be wise to take the opportunity to undergo a complete earthquake retrofitting process.  Because access to complete the retrofit work is accomplished above the roof deck, combining these two building improvement projects can provide a considerable cost savings.  It’s common for commercial building owners to schedule this type of this work in the summer.  The longer days, additional sunlight, and less chance of rainfall make summertime the most popular time chosen to schedule large building improvement and maintenance projects.

When you incorporate a roof replacement with an earthquake retrofit, you will need a team of experienced contractors who can work together effectively and efficiently.  Without productive communication and complete coordination, the roof could be open and unprotected from inclement weather much longer than necessary.  Hiring an experienced contractor who specializes in earthquake retrofitting is a critical component of building the team needed to complete this combined project.

Avoid the temptation to just hire a general contractor if you choose to combine a roofing project with an earthquake retrofitting of your building.  Unlike retrofitting specialists, most general contractors do not have extensive retrofitting experience and may overstate their abilities.  In addition, a general contractor may subcontract out the work to others with less knowledge and experience.  In the long run, a general contractor “middle man” may increase your overall costs.

Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit can provide a thorough examination of your building.  As a commercial property owner, you have a responsibility to ensure the security and safety of your building, including the machinery, inventory, and most importantly the occupants.  After completing a comprehensive building inspection, Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit Los Angeles will provide a retrofit insurance quote based on present and after-retrofitting values.  You will have all the information needed to calculate your ROI.  If you have questions about earthquake retrofitting or want to know more about the best time to protect your commercial property in Los Angeles from earthquakes, call Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit Los Angeles today…

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034

Earthquakes will always be a concern for California residents, especially since they are the most expensive disaster from which to recover.  Earthquake insurance in California comes at a high premium and many property owners simply choose not to add this extra expense, especially in these tough economic times.  If you are lucky enough to get earthquake insurance, the deductibles are quite high. In addition, the amount of coverage often doesn’t completely cover the potential cost of damage or complete property loss.

There are two important points to consider if you live in California, especially in close proximity to a fault line, and you are considering earthquake insurance for your commercial property:

• Buildings that are older than 10 years are most likely not up to the current, more strict, building codes
• You are still responsible to pay off the balance of a mortgage, even if the property is damaged or destroyed

So the question is this: is there a way to get accepted for coverage with affordable rates?

If you have ever looked to get financing on your commercial property, you may have heard about the importance of building safety and the PML (Probable Maximum Loss) rating for lenders. Most financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies, are always concerned with minimizing the amount of risk they carry. If you have a commercial property that is more than 10 years old, it is very likely that the building is not strong enough, as is, to withstand the force of a strong earthquake. Fortunately, a substantial number of lenders, who require a PML under 20%, are typically satisfied when a comprehensive and professional earthquake retrofit has been done to strengthen the building.  An earthquake retrofit assures the lender that necessary reinforcements are in place to reduce the chances of catastrophic damage and devastation that would most likely result in the owner walking away from their loan.

In the future, insurance companies may decide not to write coverage for earthquakes due to past losses and other events. Rates have increased 3 to 6 times since 2005 and policy denial is often the norm.  Many property owners are carrying an overly high PML on older buildings.  These older commercial properties were constructed in ways that experts now expect to fail if a powerful quake occurs.  An earthquake retrofit is one of the best ways to protect your property and to make earthquake insurance possible and affordable.

If you are trying to determine if an earthquake retrofit is a solid investment and also the best way to reduce the cost of earthquake insurance, you will want to get a quote. Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit provides property owners an insurance quote based on present and after-retrofitting values so clients can easily calculate their investment return. By partnering with a number of insurance providers, Saunders can easily demonstrate the potential return on investment.  The bottom line is that it’s a lot more inexpensive and safe to earthquake retrofit a structure prior to an earthquake than to fix costly damages afterward.  For additional information on the best ways to get affordable earthquake insurance and to get a quote for an earthquake retrofit for your commercial property, call Saunders Commercial Earthquake Retrofit today!

Southern California Office

(949) 646-0034