Structural Upgrades
Structural upgrades that protect your home
Foundation repairs, seismic retrofits, beam replacements, and structural improvements that protect Seattle homes for decades.
5 out of 5 stars
Our 1920s house had a cripple wall we'd been ignoring for years and I finally called to get an honest assessment. Marco walked the crawlspace with me, found a foundation crack we didn't even know existed, and laid out a plan that covered both issues within our budget. They got the retrofit and the crack repair done in three weeks and the house genuinely feels safer now.
- Seismic retrofits
- Cripple wall plywood bracing and anchor bolting per engineer drawings to meet current earthquake standards for older Seattle homes. We do our own crawlspace assessment before any engineering — we won't scope work we haven't seen.
- Foundation repair
- Crack injection, underpinning, waterproofing, and interior drainage corrections for failing or compromised foundations. Foundation work is often scarier-looking than it is — we give honest assessments and scope only what actually needs to be done.
- Beam & post work
- Structural member replacements, new load paths, sagging floor corrections, and post and pier work in crawlspaces. Undersized or failed beams and posts are common in older Seattle homes — we fix the root cause rather than patching around it.
- Engineering & permits
- Structural engineering, permit management, and City of Seattle inspection coordination included in every structural project scope. Structural work without permits is a liability when you sell — we don't do it, and we'll tell you if another contractor suggests otherwise.
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Get a free estimate and consultation today.
Featured Previous Work
Capitol Hill Seismic Retrofit
A full seismic retrofit on a 1920s Capitol Hill home — cripple wall plywood bracing, anchor bolting, and a previously undetected foundation crack repaired.
Their Story
A 1920s Capitol Hill home with an unbraced cripple wall — at significant risk in a seismic event. A foundation crack discovered during assessment added to the scope.
Installed cripple wall plywood bracing and anchor bolting per engineer specs. Repaired the foundation crack with epoxy injection and improved interior drainage.
Read full case study
Overview
- Timeline
- 3 weeks
- Completed
- April 2025
- Location
- Capitol Hill
Our Process
We review your goals, space, and budget and answer initial questions.
You receive a clear, written estimate with defined scope and expectations.
We coordinate trades, manage permits if required, and keep the site clean and organized.
We review details with you and make sure everything is completed properly.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Give us a call .
- Does my Seattle home need a seismic retrofit?
- If your home was built before 1980 and has a cripple wall (short stud wall between foundation and first floor), a seismic retrofit is strongly recommended. We offer honest assessments.
- How do I know if my foundation needs repair?
- Common signs include cracks in the foundation wall, water intrusion, sticking doors or windows, and uneven floors. We'll assess and give you an honest picture.
- Are structural upgrades permitted?
- Yes — structural work requires permits. We manage permitting and engineering as part of every structural project.
- What is a cripple wall and why does it matter for earthquakes?
- A cripple wall is the short wood-framed wall that sits between the foundation and the first floor of older homes. In an earthquake, unbraced cripple walls can rack and collapse — which is what causes many older Seattle homes to slide off their foundations. Plywood bracing and anchor bolting significantly reduce this risk.
- How much does a seismic retrofit typically cost?
- A standard cripple wall retrofit for a Seattle home typically runs $8K-$20K depending on the size of the crawlspace and how many walls need bracing. If foundation repairs are also needed, we scope those separately. We provide detailed estimates after a crawlspace assessment.
We built our business on clear communication and quality work
Home remodeling works best when expectations are clear and communication is consistent. We focus on being responsive, transparent about scope and pricing, and respectful of your home from start to finish — so there are no surprises along the way.
Clear, upfront estimates
You'll receive a detailed estimate that outlines scope, materials, and next steps, so you know exactly what to expect before work begins.
Licensed, insured, and code-compliant
All work is performed by a licensed and insured general contractor and built to meet current codes and local requirements.
Clean, professional job sites
We work in occupied homes and condos and take care to keep the site organized, safe, and respectful of your space.
Seattle's Trusted Residential Contractor
Your No-Nonsense Partner in Exceptional Construction. Licensed & Insured.