What can cause vibrations in a house?

• <div><p>Hearing or feeling vibrations in your house can be unsettling, but there are a few <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/i-hear-vibrating-motor-sound-my-walls-night-it-my-pipes-or-it-related-air-vents-or-furnace">possible causes for a vibrating noise in your wall</a> or floor. Light bulbs and fixtures, circuit breakers, loose pipes, or faulty wiring could all cause vibrations. If you’re not sure what’s causing the vibrations, you can call a contractor to assess your home and narrow down the cause.</p></div>

Is earthquake retrofit tax deductible?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

Top-rated earthquake retrofitting specialists.

Get matched with top earthquake retrofitting specialists in Niceville, FL

Q: Can I DIY an earthquake retrofit?

• <div><p>It is not advisable to try to retrofit your home without the expertise of a professional. These projects usually require a consultation with a structural engineer and a plumber for any gas-related adjustments. Working with a professional earthquake retrofitting contractor is the best way to ensure that any structural work done to your home will help protect you and your family. </p></div>

Q: What can I expect during the earthquake retrofitting process?

• <div><p>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&rsquo;ll need to provide the retrofit team access to areas of the house that will need to be worked on, meaning you&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Q: How effective is earthquake retrofitting?

• <div><p>A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of <b>up to 7.0 magnitude</b>, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.</p></div>

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Need a pro for your earthquake retrofitting project in Niceville, FL?

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Find Earthquake retrofitting specialists in Niceville

SWISHER ELECTRICAL SERVICES, LLC

4641 WILKERSON BLUFF ROAD

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

SWISHER ELECTRICAL SERVICES, LLC

4641 WILKERSON BLUFF ROAD

5.00(

)

•Approved Pro

24 local quotes requested

1 years of experience

SWISHER ELECTRICAL SERVICES, LLC is a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Our dedicated team of professionals have over 25 years of hands on experience, to provide innovative ideas and suggestions tailored to your projects. Our services are customized to your individual needs, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. Please feel free to contact us today!

"He was the first to answer, look at the project, and provide a price. We agreed on the scope and price right a way, so he did not need to schedule me but did the work at our first meeting. I will use him for any of electric needs on the properties we have in this area! "

Peter E on February 2025

"He was the first to answer, look at the project, and provide a price. We agreed on the scope and price right a way, so he did not need to schedule me but did the work at our first meeting. I will use him for any of electric needs on the properties we have in this area! "

Peter E on February 2025

Helicon

11103 N 46th St

4.54(

)

Helicon

11103 N 46th St

4.54(

)

Customers say: Quick response

22 years of experience

By choosing Helicon, you will be provided with rock-solid solutions for all your soil stabilization and foundation issues. Helicon specializes in using the latest technology and the highest quality foundation repair process to repair your foundation, raise your concrete slab, and stabilize your soil or structure. We strive to exceed expectations every step of the way. Helicon is 5 Star Rated, A+ Rated BBB Company with ZERO BBB customer complaints. With our reliable, tried-and-true foundation repair process, you can rest assured that Helicon is the expert you can trust.

"We had cracks on the exterior and interior of our home and Helicon do an inspection. Casey (who is no longer with the company) provided his recommendations and a quote which is to install piers around the home and that would fix our issues. In July 2021, Helicon sent a team of guys to perform the work and they were every unprofessional. Our yard was a mess after they left, and nothing was done about it. Helicon advised us to not do any renovations until after 6 months of the repairs as the house may still be settling. In 2022, we did some minor repairs in the home and noticed the cracks were still opening and closing. They sent out someone who said everything looked fine and there was no movement. He stated if the doors start to jam to let them know because that means we have a problem. Since 2021, Helicon has come out at least 4 times and keep telling us there are no issues with the piers and additional works needs to be on the back porch. Helicon’s President, Jay Silver, came out for a house visit and advised there was nothing he could offer to help fix the issues. A couple weeks later in August 2022, they sent out another salesman, Douglas Mullins, who gave another quote to fix the interior foundation. There has been more movement and Douglas, nor Jay, or anyone from Helicon will not respond to us. We have had multiple companies come out and give recommendations which are very different from Helicon and seeking legal assistance. I do not recommend doing business with Helicon. Educate yourself on foundation issues and do not believe what they tell you."

Marcia A on September 2023

"We had cracks on the exterior and interior of our home and Helicon do an inspection. Casey (who is no longer with the company) provided his recommendations and a quote which is to install piers around the home and that would fix our issues. In July 2021, Helicon sent a team of guys to perform the work and they were every unprofessional. Our yard was a mess after they left, and nothing was done about it. Helicon advised us to not do any renovations until after 6 months of the repairs as the house may still be settling. In 2022, we did some minor repairs in the home and noticed the cracks were still opening and closing. They sent out someone who said everything looked fine and there was no movement. He stated if the doors start to jam to let them know because that means we have a problem. Since 2021, Helicon has come out at least 4 times and keep telling us there are no issues with the piers and additional works needs to be on the back porch. Helicon’s President, Jay Silver, came out for a house visit and advised there was nothing he could offer to help fix the issues. A couple weeks later in August 2022, they sent out another salesman, Douglas Mullins, who gave another quote to fix the interior foundation. There has been more movement and Douglas, nor Jay, or anyone from Helicon will not respond to us. We have had multiple companies come out and give recommendations which are very different from Helicon and seeking legal assistance. I do not recommend doing business with Helicon. Educate yourself on foundation issues and do not believe what they tell you."

Marcia A on September 2023

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

It is not advisable to try to retrofit your home without the expertise of a professional. These projects usually require a consultation with a structural engineer and a plumber for any gas-related adjustments. Working with a professional earthquake retrofitting contractor is the best way to ensure that any structural work done to your home will help protect you and your family.

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.

Hearing or feeling vibrations in your house can be unsettling, but there are a few possible causes for a vibrating noise in your wall or floor. Light bulbs and fixtures, circuit breakers, loose pipes, or faulty wiring could all cause vibrations. If you’re not sure what’s causing the vibrations, you can call a contractor to assess your home and narrow down the cause.

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.

A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of up to 7.0 magnitude, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.

The Niceville, FL homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

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

See all articles

Mariel Loveland
•
Aug 26, 2025Aug 26, 2025
How Much Does Earthquake Valve Installation Cost? [2025 Data]
A seismic shut-off valve stops the flow of gas during an earthquake, protecting your home from fires and explosions. Here’s what your earthquake valve installation cost will look like.
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•
Aug 15, 2025Aug 15, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Earthquake Damage? [2025 Data]
Discover how much it costs to repair earthquake damage. Learn about average costs, key factors, and ways to save on earthquake repairs for your home.
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•
Jan 28, 2025Jan 28, 2025
How Much Does an Earthquake Retrofit Cost? [2025 Data]
Earthquakes can cause serious damage, but you can protect your home. Find earthquake retrofit costs based on the type of home, foundation type, retrofit method, and more.
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•
Jul 9, 2024Jul 9, 2024
How Long Does Earthquake Retrofitting Take?
Fear not! Steady the shakes, tame the tremors, and get earthquake-ready while we give you a better idea of how long earthquake retrofitting takes.
Lauren Bongard
•
Aug 21, 2024Aug 21, 2024
Is Earthquake Retrofitting Worth It? Stay Safe and Boost Your Home’s Value
Is earthquake retrofitting worth the cost and time? Learn whether seismic updates are a smart idea for your home and how to do it right.
Stephanie Mickelson
•
Jul 23, 2024Jul 23, 2024
Who Should I Hire for Earthquake Retrofitting?
If you live in an older home in an area prone to seismic activity, you likely need to hire a seismic retrofitting company to protect your home from earthquakes.