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About Us

Hello, my name is Itzcik Weinstein, President and Owner of The Weinstein Construction Corporation and its subsidiary, Weinstein Retrofitting Systems. We are a privately owned family company established before 1980 and located in the San Fernando Valley, right in the heart of Earthquake Country.

Weinstein Retrofitting Systems has earned a reputation as your neighborhood expert in seismic safety. As a homeowner, husband, father, and general contractor for more than 30 years, I am committed to providing the best possible quakeproofing services to residents of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Because of our commitment to quality and service, we have become the largest earthquake retrofitting company in Southern California.

Southern California is very diverse in terms of structural development; therefore, our experience ranges from one-story, single-family residences right through to quadruple complexes and commercial office buildings. By securely fastening these structures to their foundations and connecting all components, the chances that any building will withstand the next earthquake are greatly improved. While geologists all over the world unanimously agree that Southern California will, in fact, be struck by the Big One, naturally, no one can accurately predict how your home will withstand it. It’s reassuring, however, to know that you can take the best possible step in seismic protection.

Strengthening your home to resist earthquakes and minimize damage is the best way to protect your investment. The Weinstein Team of Certified Quakeproofers will inspect your home at NO COST to you and provide you with a detailed report on your existing foundation and any past earthquake damage your home may have sustained. We will draw up an affordable plan for you to protect your home from earthquake damage and your loved ones from the risk of injury.

Retrofitted homes are safer to live in, practical to sell, and easier to insure. While earthquake insurance is available today, it is extremely expensive, with high deductibles and high co-insurance percentages. Although this type of insurance is available to help make repairs after an earthquake, it will never replace the priceless treasures collected over the years: the things that turn a house into something much more, your home.

Since the Northridge earthquake of 1994, we have inspected thousands of homes and successfully retrofitted over 7,000 of them in accordance with the LA Department of Building and Safety and FEMA guidelines.

Please don’t let your home be at risk any longer, and let my team of Quakeproofers do all that they can to serve you best. The looks forward to working with you and is focused on one thing only: providing you with an excellent construction experience today!

Meet Our Team

THE WEINSTEIN CREW

FAQs About Earthquake Retrofitting and Foundation Repair

What is retrofitting?

Simply stated, it’s a process that ties a home together. It increase the resistance to earthquake damage and decreases the risk of injury. In short, it significantly strengthens the house.

How do I know I need retrofitting?

Easy. Our trained inspectors will crawl under your home with a camera and a detailed check list. Crawl along with us if you like. You’ll receive a detailed report on the condition of your foundation and any water damage that may have occurred which may jeopardize the safety of your home and your family. We won’t ever sell you something that you don’t need. It all depends on the condition, type of structure, type of construction, the age of the structure and the level of protection you want for your home.

Is the inspection free? No hidden charges?

Absolutely. We only request a few minutes of your time to schedule the inspection and meet you on site. If your home is secured and doesn’t need retrofitting, we’ll tell you. If there are any problems, we can offer you the solutions.

What are the benefits of retrofitting my home?

Strengthened homes are safer to live in and easier to sell and insure. The Northridge earthquake showed us that strengthened homes stayed on their foundation in the same neighborhoods where retrofitting had not been performed on certain homes. Some insurance will no longer insure a home unless this work is done. Sellers of a home must also disclose to buyers if their home is unbolted.

How much does earthquake retrofitting cost?

The cost of the work varies. Some homes have cripple walls that need blocking or bracing, while other homes do not have cripple walls. Some homes have ample access to the work area, while others have limited access due to heating ducts or small access holes. The cost of the work will increase significantly if you need to replace an unreinforced masonry foundation or if your home experiences extensive termite or fungal damage to the wood. You will get an idea of the fair value of the work to be done by getting different bids from foundation contractors. We will provide you with an exact price during the inspection.

Most single-family homes on level or near-level lots can expect to pay from $2000 to $4000 for the total job. This price assumes the contractor performed the work according to the department’s standard plan and that there were no special conditions. Homeowners who do the work themselves can help reduce this cost. There will be additional costs if you need to hire an architect or engineer.

Do I need a building permit?

Yes. The building permit process protects your interests by providing building inspections. We’ve done work in all cities in the Los Angeles County and we know exactly what we need to start each job and to get the right permits for each specific work that we are going to perform. In addition, knowledgeable and well trained city inspectors will check the quality and quantity of the work. This helps you make sure the job was done right. You will also have a permanent record in the city hall that the work was permitted and inspected.

How do I get a building permit?

Getting a building permit is nothing that you will need to worry about. First, we will crawl under your home to determine what details your plan will use. We will prepare a plan of your home, and will reference the details you should use. Second, we will take your plan to your city’s building and safety office. If your home does not have any special conditions and all it needs is a department standard plan, obtaining the permit will be pretty simple. If your home has special conditions, your plan might need to be reviewed by an architect or engineer, who will assess it and make necessary changes. It is then stamped, approved, and sent back to the Department of Building and Safety for final approval to proceed with obtaining the appropriate permit to perform the work. The time-frame will vary depending on each city office and its requirements. Each permit has a fee that covers the costs of reviewing your plan, inspecting the work, and keeping a permanent record.

Will my property taxes be increased if I retrofit my home?

Under section 74.5 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, seismic retrofitting work to an existing building is excluded from tax reassessment. To receive the exclusion, the assessor must be notified at least within 30 days of completion of the work. Contact the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor for details and current information.

Do you still have questions or need a quote? Contact us.

Contact Weinstein Retrofitting Systems for a Free Estimate & Inspection today!

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Company Credentials

Weinstein Retrofitting Systems is a leader in the earthquake retrofitting industry, and we have served the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles County area since 1977. Our location gives us firsthand experience with earthquakes and earthquake safety, so we can better relate to your needs and those of your home.

Since the 1994 Northridge earthquake, we have inspected tens of thousands of homes and successfully retrofitted over 10,000 of them in accordance with both the LA Department of Building and Safety and FEMA.

We are licensed by the Contractors State License Board of California and bonded by AEGIS Insurance Company. We have also completed the required FEMA training for the Earthquake Brace and Bolt program and are listed on their EBB Contractor List.

The company’s extensive industry experience allows us to design, fabricate, and install retrofitting systems efficiently and effectively. We have both the expertise and authority in the field of construction that is so sought after, especially in Southern California.

We are a family-owned business and understand your concerns as a property owner. Our first job is to satisfy you, the customer, and we will stick to a job from beginning to end to ensure that your home is safe, secure, and properly retrofitted. Another part of our job is to share information about safety and emergency preparedness so that, in addition to your home, you and your family will be ready should disaster strike.

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