Why & how soft story retrofit
In November of 2015, the City of Los Angeles signed into law, the Mandatory Soft Story Seismic Retrofitting Program under Ordinance 183893 and Ordinance 184081 requiring the retrofitting of all wood-frame soft-story buildings to withstand a significant earthquake better. A typical Soft Story building is a structure consisting of two or more stories located over a ground level with large openings, such as tuck under parking garages. Without proper strengthening, these vulnerable buildings may be subjected to structural failure during and after an earthquake.
JFP Construction covers all aspects of the soft story retrofitting process from start to finish. Our company works with a group of highly experienced structural engineers that will analyze the existing building structure and propose the most cost-effective skeletal design system to be used. Since 2017 our company has completed many apartment buildings in Los Angeles County, promptly and passing all city inspections. We keep our clients well informed throughout every step of the soft story retrofitting process, and with our assistance, your soft story retrofitting needs will be met.
We have been licensed, bonded, and insured for over 25 years. We take pride in our safe practices, quality workmanship, and we always meet our quality standards.
Ensure Safety With Our Soft-Story Retrofitting Process
1. SITE EVALUATION
Our company provides a FREE site evaluation for building owners. This process will allow our construction team to assess the condition of the building and outline all necessary information and measures to be taken to comply with the LADBS soft-story seismic retrofitting ordinance.
2. ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING
JFP Construction works with a group of highly experienced engineers for soft-story seismic retrofit projects. Our architecture & engineering team will analyze the existing structure and propose the most cost-effective structural design system to be used. During this process, they will provide engineering calculations and specifications for the construction work. Once LADBS has issued the approved plans, our management team will provide the client with three sets of plans.
A complete approved set of plans are used to assess an accurate bid, which helps reduce the hidden cost throughout the building process.
3. HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT CLEARANCE (HUD)
The Tenant Habitability program requires to mitigate the impact on tenants during major construction in apartment buildings. Property owners undertaking major construction work must take steps to ensure that tenants can safely remain in place during construction or provide temporary relocation to tenants when the work makes the rental unit untenantable, as defined by California Civil Code Section 1941.
JFP construction will take take the responsibility of preparing and processing the Tenant Habitability Plan (THP). This is a free serivce we provide that takes the burden away from the client. Once approved by the housing department , we the obtain the building permit to start construction.
4. TENANT MANAGEMENT
Our management team will provide the most prompt and attentive service to tenants. They will also handle all aspects of tenant communications promptly throughout the entire retrofitting process.
5. COST RECOVERY ASSISTANCE
After, the construction work is complete. JFP Construction will assist the building owner for the Cost Recovery Program. This process will help the building owner recover some of the construction costs.
How the program works:
Up to 50% of total seismic retrofit costs may be passed through to tenants if approved by HCIDLA.
The maximum rent increase is $38 per month for 120 months. The recovery period may be extended until the full approved amount is collected.
