Los Angeles & Orange County
Foundation Bolting
Foundation bolting anchors the wood frame of your house to its concrete foundation so the two move together in an earthquake instead of separating.
Most homes built before 1980 in Los Angeles and Orange County were never bolted, or were bolted to standards that no longer hold up. If your house sits on a raised foundation, this is usually the first thing to check.
How it works
Do You Actually Need This?
You likely need it if…
- Your house was built before 1980 and sits on a raised foundation (you have a crawlspace under the floor).
- There are no anchor bolts visible where the wood sill meets the concrete, or bolts are spaced more than 6 feet apart.
- You want to qualify for an earthquake insurance discount.
You likely do not need it if…
- Your house is on a concrete slab. Slab homes are already attached to their foundation — there is nothing to bolt.
- Your house was already retrofitted. We can verify the existing work at the evaluation.
- Your house was built after 1980 to modern code. It was almost certainly bolted during construction.
If your house doesn’t need it, we’ll tell you that at the evaluation. That’s the whole point of doing one.
How the Work Goes
Duration: 1–2 days for most single-story homes. Disruption: All work happens in the crawlspace. You don't move out, and most homeowners barely notice we're there.
1
Evaluate
We go into the crawlspace, check the sill plate, existing bolts, and cripple wall, and give you written findings and a firm quote. 30–45 minutes.
2
Plan
Most single-family bolting jobs follow the standard retrofit plan set, so no custom engineering is needed.
3
Bolt
We drill the foundation and install code-approved anchor bolts or foundation plates, typically every 4 to 6 feet. One to two days for most homes.
4
Document
You get before-and-after photo documentation of the finished work — you'll want it for insurance conversations and resale.
What it costs
$3,000 – $7,000
Typical range for bolting alone on a single-family home. Bolting plus cripple wall bracing usually runs $5,000–$10,000. Your firm number comes from the free evaluation.
See the full cost guide →Get Your Free Evaluation
30–45 minutes on site. Written findings with photos. A firm quote if work is warranted — and a straight “you don’t need it” if it isn’t. No obligation either way.
Related
Retrofit Cost Guide →Foundation Bolting — Common Questions
How do I know if my house is already bolted?
Look at the wood board (the sill plate) sitting on top of the concrete foundation in your crawlspace. If you see bolt heads with washers every 4 to 6 feet, it's bolted. If you're not sure, we check it during the free evaluation and show you photos either way.
How much does foundation bolting cost in Los Angeles?
Most single-family bolting jobs run $3,000 to $7,000. If your home also needs cripple wall bracing, the combined project typically runs $5,000 to $10,000. Your firm number comes from the free evaluation.
Do I have to move out during the work?
No. The work happens in the crawlspace over one to two days. Water and power stay on.
Will bolting lower my earthquake insurance premium?
Usually, yes. The California Earthquake Authority offers premium discounts of up to 25% for verified retrofits on qualifying older homes. We give you the documentation to submit.
Get a Straight Answer About Your House
A free 30–45 minute evaluation, written findings, and a firm quote — or an honest “you don't need it.” No pressure either way.
Free estimates. Cash, senior, and military discounts.