- Typical cost
- Varies widely, scoped after an engineer's assessment
- Typical timeline
- 2 weeks to 4 months depending on scope
- Permits through
- Santa Monica Building & Safety
- Service area
- Santa Monica, Westside
What We Handle
Engineered structural work coordinated with a licensed structural engineer, permitted and inspected.
- Seismic retrofits and soft-story bracing
- Foundation repair and replacement
- Load-bearing wall removal with beams and posts
- New foundations and slabs
- Engineered framing and shear walls
- Hillside caissons and grade beams
Structural, Foundation & Framing Conditions in Santa Monica
Salt air is the other factor. Openings, fasteners, flashing and exterior metal all corrode faster within a mile of the water, so we specify corrosion-resistant materials rather than whatever is cheapest on the shelf. Lots are narrow and street parking is limited, which means staging materials day by day instead of filling a driveway.
- 1920s to 1940s bungalows with galvanized pipe and original wiring
- Local energy and green building amendments above state minimums
- Corrosion-resistant windows, fasteners and flashing for coastal exposure
- Narrow lots with limited staging and parking for crews
- Foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing on most pre-war houses
Seismic Retrofits
If your house was built before 1980 and sits on a raised foundation, bolting the frame to the foundation and bracing the cripple walls is one of the highest-value things you can do. Some LA properties are also under a mandatory soft-story ordinance.
- Foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing
- Soft-story ordinance compliance
- Engineering, permits and inspection sign-off
Why Engineering Comes First
We won't quote structural work off a walkthrough. An engineer assesses the condition, specifies the fix, and the plans go through plan check, then we build exactly to those plans with inspections at each stage.
- Licensed structural engineer on every scope
- Soils reports for hillside and unstable sites
- LADBS permits and staged inspections
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you do structural, foundation & framing in Santa Monica?
Yes. Santa Monica is part of our regular service area. We'll come out for a free on-site consultation, walk the property, and tell you what's realistic before you spend anything on design.
What does structural, foundation cost in Santa Monica?
Varies widely, scoped after an engineer's assessment. Site conditions in Santa Monica and your material selections move the number, which is why we price after walking the property rather than over the phone.
Who issues the permit in Santa Monica?
Permits for this work go through Santa Monica Building & Safety. We handle the submittal, plan check corrections and inspections as part of the project.
How much does a seismic retrofit cost in Los Angeles?
Cost depends on the size of the house, the foundation type and access under the floor. We scope it after an engineer's assessment so the number reflects the actual work, not a guess.
Can you remove a load-bearing wall?
Yes, with engineering. A structural engineer specifies the beam and posts, the plans go through plan check, and the work is inspected. Removing a load-bearing wall without a permit is a serious problem at resale.
Do you work on hillside properties?
Yes. Hillside work in LA involves soils reports, caissons or grade beams, and a more involved plan-check process, all of which we coordinate.
Do you offer foundation repair near me in the greater LA area?
Yes. Our foundation repair, seismic retrofit and structural framing crews work across Los Angeles County and neighboring counties within roughly 100 miles of our Woodland Hills office, including hillside communities from Glendale to Malibu.
Similar Projects We've Built
DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH 1 SMART BUILD
Licensed, bonded and insured design-build general contractor serving Los Angeles County and Southern California. Tell us about your property and goals, and we'll walk you through feasibility, permitting and a clear plan.