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Avatar for Distinctive Design & Build Co.

Distinctive Design & Build Co.

5.00(
3
)
•Approved Pro

Distinctive Design & Build Co.

5.00(
3
)
•Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
2 years of experience

"Jeff came out to the office to assess a cabinet that was damaged due to water damage. He was reliable and efficient in taking care of the damaged cabinet and restoring it to as good or better than new! Jeff was very personable and I wouldn?t hesitate to recommend him to anyone with a small or complex job. Jeff has the knowledge and tools to take care of whatever the project entails. "

Walter S on March 2025

"Jeff came out to the office to assess a cabinet that was damaged due to water damage. He was reliable and efficient in taking care of the damaged cabinet and restoring it to as good or better than new! Jeff was very personable and I wouldn?t hesitate to recommend him to anyone with a small or complex job. Jeff has the knowledge and tools to take care of whatever the project entails. "

Walter S on March 2025

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

Many homeowners want to know whether earthquake retrofitting is tax deductible. Because it’s often considered a capital improvement, you usually can’t deduct it. In some cases and locations, you may qualify for tax incentives, but you’ll need to talk to a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about your specific circumstances. You may also be able to find grant money for seismic upgrades, which can lower the cost of your insurance premiums and save money over time.

Earthquake gas shut-off valves, or seismic gas shut-off valves, are safety devices that attach to your natural gas line. When an earthquake hits, the valve automatically turns off the flow of gas. Earthquake gas shut-off valves can prevent gas leaks, which are especially dangerous after a quake due to the risk of fire and explosion.

First, you can expect the project to be loud. If you have pets, you might want to take them to a friend's house during the day so they are not disturbed by any of the loud noises. In addition, you’ll need to provide the retrofit team access to areas of the house that will need to be worked on, meaning you’ll need to relocate personal items, clear clutter, and make pathways for the crew. Once the project is complete, a local building inspector will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the retrofitting is up to code.

Almost all new buildings in California need an earthquake shut-off valve. The requirements for an earthquake gas shut-off valve (and who can install it) depend on where you live. For example, according to the Los Angeles Municipal Code, you’re required to hire a licensed contractor to install one whenever you build, sell, or renovate a home. Check with your local building department for your city’s laws on installing, permitting, and inspecting earthquake shut-off valves.

Grounding is a great first step to prevent electrical shock, but you can take it further with GFCI outlets and AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters). In particular, AFCIs help protect against the type of electrical arcs that cause fires, like if a mouse chews on a wire or your laptop starts overheating at the wall. These are required in some areas of your home.

The Vance, AL homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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