Top-rated earthquake retrofitting specialists.

Get matched with top earthquake retrofitting specialists in Niskayuna, NY

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your earthquake retrofitting project in Niskayuna, NY?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

Find Earthquake retrofitting specialists in Niskayuna

"Repairs appear excellent. Done quickly and at a very fair price compared to other contractors. Friendly and helpful!"

Nat F on October 2020

Family owned and operated with 30+ years of experience. There is no job too small! Military / Senior discounts.

"Repairs appear excellent. Done quickly and at a very fair price compared to other contractors. Friendly and helpful!"

Nat F on October 2020

Earthquake Retrofitting questions, answered by experts

Even if you invested in the cost of a gas shut-off valve for your oven and other appliances, it’s a good idea to add a seismic shut-off valve as an extra safety measure. 

Gas shut-off valves for appliances are manual, meaning someone has to cut off the flow of gas. This leaves room for error, as you might not be home or might be too distracted to think about gas lines during an earthquake. An earthquake valve is automatic and will protect your home from gas-related disasters in the event of an earthquake.

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.

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.

Costs vary as much as timelines. The average earthquake retrofit costs between $3,500 and $8,700. However, homes on hillsides, large homes, and those with rooms over garages can cost up to $12,000 or more. Make sure to get a few estimates to compare the cost and services.

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 Niskayuna, NY homeowners’ guide to earthquake retrofitting services

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