Get matched with top earthquake retrofitting specialists in Huron, SD

The average cost for an earthquake retrofit is between $3,500 and $8,700, though the full range can be anywhere from $500 to $15,000 or more. Costs vary significantly depending on your home's foundation, type, and the specific retrofitting method used. For a slab foundation, you can expect to pay on the lower end, between $500 and $3,000, while a wooden foundation can cost $5,000 to $10,000. Retrofitting a hillside home typically costs between $5,000 and $12,000 or more. A soft-story home, such as one with rooms over a garage, is the most expensive, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $80,000. It is advisable to get multiple estimates to compare services and pricing.

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.

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.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.