Earthquake retrofits: Don’t let time run out
If you own a residential building in San Francisco, time is running short to meet the city’s earthquake safety law.
What’s at stake? More than just the safety of your tenants. Owners who don’t retrofit their so-called “soft-story” buildings could be slapped with “Earthquake Warning” signs on their structures, fines, liens on their properties and potential legal action.
As of August 2018 more than 1,700 properties faced on Sept. 15, 2019, deadline to complete work and achieve final certification from the city Building Department. It’s a tight timeline that requires qualified engineers and contractors. They’re in high demand and short supply. As one San Francisco Chronicle reader pointed out, “There are only so many structural engineers to go around. That’s where the first logjam is. The second jam is the shortage of contractors. No use in getting permits issued if there’s nobody to do the work.”
If you own a building subject to the city’s mandatory program and don’t know where to start, start with us. We can identify qualified architects, structural engineers, and general contractors capable of doing the work. We can also provide management of the project, coordinating the work of the architect, structural engineer, and the general contractor.
Unexpected circumstances often arise that require an experienced project manager to identify additional specialists to resolve issues such as asbestos abatement, dry-rot removal, and relocation of electrical and plumbing equipment. To ensure the best value for your money, project management also includes preparation of a written scope of work, preparation of bid documents, management of change orders, budget preparation, management of contractor payments, and procurement of building permits.
Our expert approach to project management reduces the likelihood of conflicts among structural engineers, architects and contractors, which in turn minimizes costs. In certain situations, San Francisco’s retrofit program allows owners to improve their return on investment by constructing additional units at the same time they quake-proof their buildings. The John Benjamin Company can facilitate architect selection for the design of the additional units, and assist in securing Planning Department approval and the building permit process.
Let us manage your retrofit project while you focus on what you do best. Learn more: Email Robert Caruso at rcaruso@johnbenco.com or call 925-719-1651.