Our Services
First, we evaluate your home's foundation, framing, and lateral bracing to identify vulnerabilities. Our team provides engineering-driven recommendations and retrofit plans designed to meet FEMA, ABAG, and Standard Plan Set A guidelines.
Residential Seismic Retrofits
Strengthen your home’s structural performance with code-compliant seismic upgrades. We correct known weaknesses—like inadequate frame-to-foundation connections and insufficient lateral bracing—to help your home withstand earthquake forces and reduce the risk of major damage.
Foundation Bolting & Hold-Down Systems
Using engineered hardware such as Simpson Strong-Tie anchor bolts, and brackets, we create a solid, reliable connection between the wood frame and the concrete foundation. This essential upgrade helps prevent homes from sliding, shifting, or detaching during seismic events.
Why Choose Us
Trusted Seismic Retrofit Specialists
With over 550 completed seismic retrofits, Redwood Retrofits brings hands-on construction experience, aerospace-level precision, and clear communication to every project. We follow FEMA, CEBC, and Standard Plan Set A guidelines to ensure each home receives a code-compliant, engineering-driven retrofit that improves safety and long-term stability.
We take pride in one simple promise, to treat every home like our own.
Experience
550+ Retrofits Completed
Precision
Engineered, Code-compliant Work
Communication
Clear Updates Every Step of the Way
Local Expertise
Built for Bay Area Seismic Conditions
How it works:
Our process is built around the EBB guidelines. We walk you step-by-step through registration, approvals, retrofit construction, and final grant payment—so nothing falls through the cracks.
1.
Register for an EBB/ESS Grant
Go to the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) website. Enter your ZIP code and basic info about your home (year built, foundation type, etc.). Submit your registration before the deadline. Sign up to be notified.
2.
Get Accepted & Set Up Your Dashboard
If your home qualifies and is selected, you’ll receive an acceptance email. Log in to your Homeowner Dashboard on the EBB site. The dashboard will show your program type, deadlines, and any documents or photos you’ll need to upload. If you’re income-eligible, you can apply for an EBB supplemental grant through the dashboard.
3.
Pre-Retrofit: Site Visit, Bid & Permit
Timeline: Within EBB's 90 day window. You contact Redwood Retrofits for a rough estimate. We schedule a site visit to inspect your foundation and crawl space. We provide a detailed bid for the retrofit that meets EBB requirements. You choose us as your contractor and we help you get your building permit with your city. We upload required pre-retrofit items to your Dashboard: - Permit - Plans - Photos (exterior and crawl space/garage, as required) You must wait for EBB approval of these documents before work can start.
4.
We Complete the Retrofit
Timeline: typically one day of on-site work Depending on your home, work may include: - Securing the wood frame to the concrete foundation - Adding Simpson Strong-Tie seismic retrofit brackets The work is done in the crawl space and is not visible from the street. You can stay in your home during the retrofit.
5.
Final Inspection & Post-Retrofit Documents
Timeline: 1-2 days after installation is complete The local building inspector signs off that the retrofit is complete and code-compliant. We provide any photos needed for the program. We upload to your Homeowner Dashboard: - Final photos - Building final and any other required documents EBB reviews everything and gives final approval.
6.
Grant Payment
Timeline: typically about 2-3 weeks after submitting After approval, your grant payment is issued. Payment goes directly to you or to us, depending on how you set it up in your Dashboard.
Meet Our Team
At Redwood Retrofits, we believe that strong homes start with strong values. Our company was built on a foundation of craftsmanship, integrity, and a commitment to doing things the right way, every time.
Doug — Owner & Lead Retrofit Specialist
Doug brings a lifetime of hands-on construction experience and 21 years of aerospace engineering precision to each retrofit. He built Redwood Retrofits on the values his father taught him: work hard, communicate clearly, and always follow through. Doug has personally completed over 550 seismic retrofits, ensuring every home is reinforced with craftsmanship and care.
Erika — Operations & Customer Care
Erika keeps the entire retrofit process running smoothly. She manages scheduling, materials, permits, EBB program communication, and homeowner updates — ensuring every customer feels informed and supported from start to finish. Homeowners consistently praise Erika for her professionalism and reliability, often saying she “took care of everything.”
Fernando — Lead Installer
Fernando has worked alongside Doug since 2019 and is a highly experienced retrofit installer in the Bay Area. With over 550 completed retrofits, Fernando specializes in precise installations, foundation anchoring, cripple-wall bracing, and Simpson Strong-Tie systems. His consistency, skill, and attention to detail set the standard for our team.
Peyton — Installer
Peyton joined us at the beginning of 2025 and has already completed over 100 retrofits. With a strong work ethic and dedication to mastering the craft, he has quickly become a valuable part of the crew. Peyton brings energy, reliability, and a commitment to learning every aspect of seismic reinforcement.
Client Testimonials
"Communication with Erika and Doug was great, fast responses with exactly the needed information all along the multi-step process. Erika managed the ebb dashboard & records for me promptly and with little effort on my part. The work done by Fernando and Peyton was done efficiently in just 6 or 7 hours as promised and clearly passed the inspections. A great experience with the whole team that I'd definitely recommend (and have) to anyone doing this work."
11/5/25
"Redwood Retrofits were amazing! They guided us every step of the way, letting us know what to expect and when. They were very clean while working, and then cleaned up after they were done. Our inspector saw who it was and said that they always do great work, and they never have to worry about their jobs. He also appreciated how thorough they were in providing him documentation of the work."
10/31/2025
"My experience with Redwood Retrofits was excellent. From the clear and complete communication I had with Erika to the very professional execution of the EBB upgrade by Fernando and Peyton; it was fantastic from the quick response quotation through project completion. I can't more highly recommend Redwood Retrofits for the EBB upgrade to strengthen your home to better manage through future earthquakes. If this had a 5 star review option, I would give it 5 stars without hesitation."
10/12/2025
"Partnering with H. Reynolds Engineering Solutions was a game-changer for our construction project. Their sustainable insights and collaborative approach have empowered us to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable development."
"Redwood Retrofits did a fantastic job for us in all aspects of the project. They even traveled beyond their usual region to do this project for us. Doug and his crew did fine work at a fair and reasonable price and they pointed other items that we needed to address. Erika provided us expert guidance through the entire process and it was a pleasure working with her. We give them the highest marks and certainly recommend them to anyone else!"
9/27/2025