If you’ve ever taken on a property improvement project, you know the drill: what starts as a simple quote quickly evolves into a spreadsheet of extra costs, scope changes, and fine print you didn’t expect. That’s exactly what many building owners fear when they begin planning a seismic retrofit — especially in cities like Oakland and San Francisco where compliance is mandatory, timelines are tight, and margins are slim.
But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Clients always want to know what’s the budget going to be for the project,” says Connor Daly, founder of Connor Daly Construction.
And with the right process — and the right partner — you can get real answers early, with no hidden surprises later.
Cost Transparency Starts at the Address
Unlike most contractors who offer vague estimates or push pricing until after engineering is done, Daly brings clarity from the very first step.
“The great part about working with us is we’re able to come up with a preliminary budget right away, just based on you giving us the property address,” Daly explains.
That means before you commit to anything, you’ll have a realistic ballpark. And after a quick site visit to verify assumptions, you’ll receive a fully detailed proposal — often within a week.
Experience Drives Accuracy — Not Guesswork
Many property owners are rightfully skeptical of lowball quotes that eventually balloon mid-project. But Daly’s process is based on repetition and rigor, not optimism.
“I’ve done hundreds of these retrofits and I know what each portion of a retrofit is going to cost,” says Daly. “I simply need to know how many of each things your building needs”.
That means your quote isn’t just a guess — it’s a breakdown built on real data, drawn from real projects, with real pricing logic.
Everything Is Laid Out Upfront — No “Take It or Leave It” Bids
One of the most frustrating experiences for property owners is being handed a single, unexplained number with no insight into how it was calculated. Daly does things differently.
“I provide a breakdown of all the numbers in my retrofit bid,” Daly says. “It is not a ‘here is your number, take it or leave it’”.
Instead, bids are segmented into engineering, measurement, permitting, and construction. And even construction is broken down further — into shear walls, collectors, finishing work, and more.
“Essentially I show every single thing I’m going to do in the scope,” he adds.
This level of clarity gives owners more control — and eliminates stress down the road.
Questions You Should Be Asking Before You Say Yes to Any Proposal
If you’re preparing to retrofit your building, consider asking yourself:
- Has my contractor explained the breakdown of costs in detail?
- Do I know what each line item represents — and what could cause them to change?
- Has my contractor accounted for potential utility conflicts that could increase costs?
- Will I be notified immediately — with pricing — if any changes need to happen during construction?
- Has the proposal been built based on actual site data, or is it a templated guess?
If you can’t confidently answer “yes” to these questions, Connor Daly Construction is ready to walk you through a transparent, experienced-driven process — from day one.
Contact us today to get a detailed retrofit proposal based on your actual building — no surprises, no fluff. [License #546425]
Why Owners Trust Connor Daly Construction to Stay on Budget
From your first call to final inspection, Connor Daly Construction brings a proactive, hands-on approach that eliminates uncertainty and avoids costly surprises.
“In the last 15 retrofits I’ve done in Oakland, we haven’t had a single change order,” Daly says. “Because our assumptions have been correct and our designs have been very efficient and on point”.
Every retrofit is scoped carefully — including utility layout, shear wall placement, and engineering feasibility — before a single permit is filed. That means no expensive rework. No delays from unexpected revisions. Just a project that starts strong and finishes clean.
Ready for a retrofit that’s built on facts, not fiction? Let’s get started.
