act now before the end of the year, when the law requires an inspection for possible soft story retrofitting

Balcony & Deck Inspections for
SB 326 (Condos) and SB 721 (Apartments)

get three comparable construction quotes for your retrofit plans. potentially save up to 40% on construction if required!

multi-family properties

Soft Story Retrofitting in LOS ANGELES, SANTA MONICA, BEVERLY HILLS, PASADENA AND WEST HOLLYWOOD is here!

We take pride in securing the right fit for your project, you let us do the groundwork, manage the process efficiently and provide you with a number of feasible options to suit your circumstances. We promise unparalleled communication, empathy, value, efficiency and overall satisfaction.

At Soft Story Advisors we help you to choose the best team that will cause you the least amount of aggravation through the completion of your project, no matter how complex.

We read through all retrofitting contracts and when necessary share protective language and ideas to keep you well covered throughout each step, all the way though compliance.

We will manage the outcome together in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Pasadena and West Hollywood.

No surprises down the road!

We also offer advice on various Financing Options if appropriate.

commercial properties

Non-Ductile Concrete Retrofitting is Coming Fast! (LADBS Ordinance No. 184869). We do however currently have the time to do Due Diligence, but for the how long?

We do the groundwork and provide you with a number of feasible options to comply with the Los Angeles City Ordinance 183893. We cover the first step, in helping owners get the initial engineering feasibility studies in to the LADBS., We assist you in providing reports and plans to comply.

We offer unparalleled communication, empathy, efficiency and overall satisfaction in what we understand to be an eventual mammoth task.

We build strong and long relationships with our clients and vendors so that we are there for each other once the need finally arises.

Read this Article by Gordon Myers in Apartment News

FAQs

The purpose of this program is to reduce the risk of injury or loss of life that may result from the effects of earthquakes on wood frame soft-story buildings. In the Northridge Earthquake, many wood frame soft- story buildings caused loss of life, injury, and property damage. This program creates a guide for property owners on strengthening their building to improve performance during an earthquake.
Having to retrofit your apartment building for Ordinance 183893 can be a real unwelcome chore. Knowing what is out there is very important. Both unsound engineering and construction practices can cost you unnecessarily. Soft Story Advisors aim to PREVENT CHALLENGES with Engineers, Contractors, the City and the Process. We will educate you and provide a true value. ​​There are those that believe in and see the value in communicating well and managing expectations on both sides. We work for YOU, not the engineers, nor the contractors. Our goal is to make sure that you do not …overpay, over engineer or get taken advantage of in any way shape or form. We stay with you until you finally and satisfactorily meet your City Ordinance Deadline.
Within two (2) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, a structural analysis and plans to either retrofit or demolish, or proof of previous retrofit shall be submitted to the Department for review if the building meets the minimum requirements of this ordinance. Within three-and-a-half (3 ½) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, obtain all permits for retrofit or demolition of the building. Within seven (7) years after the service date of the Order to Comply, complete construction or demolition work and finalize permits.
This legislation requires the retrofit of all older and larger, multi-family, wood frame, residential buildings that contain a soft story condition. These buildings house over 115,000 San Francisco residents and are susceptible to strong damage in an earthquake because of a weakness found in the buildings lower story. This program seeks to strengthen those buildings and our city.
Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in which the finished surface of the floor next above is: 1. More than 6 feet above grade plane; or 2. More than 12 feet above the finished ground level at any point.

Upload your APPROVED SOFT STORY plans for a WORTHWHILE NO-OBLIGATION free evaluation