For building owners in Oakland and San Francisco, seismic retrofitting is no longer a “maybe.” Mandates are in place, deadlines are looming, and enforcement is coming. Still, many owners hesitate — not because they don’t believe in safety, but because the cost feels uncertain, unstructured, and hard to justify.
But what if the cost of doing nothing… was actually higher?
“A retrofit can be seen as an investment in your building versus an expense because you are looking at long-term savings,” says Connor Daly, founder of Connor Daly Construction.
And it’s not just about avoiding damage. Done correctly, a retrofit can enhance financial performance, improve insurance rates, and strengthen your property’s resilience in every sense of the word.
The Four Costs That Make Up a Retrofit — And Where Owners Can Actually Save
Connor Daly Construction breaks down every retrofit quote into four transparent components:
- Measuring the building
- Engineering
- Permitting
- Construction
While these costs are consistent across most projects, one of them stands out.
“Construction is the most variable of those costs,” Daly explains. “And that’s where having a company that’s greatly experienced makes a huge difference”.
With hundreds of retrofits under their belt, Daly’s team knows exactly how to scope a project efficiently — and how to avoid the costly rework, change orders, and delays that inflate costs on less experienced jobs.
Why Materials — and Design Strategy — Matter for Budget-Conscious Owners
If you’ve been told your only option is steel beams or poured concrete, think again. Daly’s team tailors retrofit designs based on budget, code requirements, and available options — sometimes saving tens of thousands without compromising safety.
“For cost-conscious building owners, we have developed a retrofit approach that allows us to avoid using steel or new concrete and just come in with wooden shear walls,” Daly shares.
The result? Lower construction costs, faster approvals, and fewer disruptions — all while meeting the city’s structural standards.
Beyond the Project: Insurance Discounts and Long-Term Rent Recovery
The benefits don’t end when construction does.
“If you complete a retrofit, you can get a significant discount from the California Earthquake Authority on your earthquake insurance,” says Daly.
And in Oakland, owners can take advantage of a city program that lets you recoup part of the retrofit investment through future rent increases.
“There is a process in the city of Oakland where you are able to pass through a percentage of the capital cost as a rent increase over the next 10 years,” he notes.
This means your seismic retrofit isn’t just a compliance measure — it’s a tool to stabilize revenue and protect long-term income.
Questions You Should Be Asking Before You Move Forward
Before committing to any retrofit, ask yourself:
- Am I looking at this as an unavoidable cost — or an opportunity to improve my building’s resilience and cash flow?
- Does my contractor offer cost-effective material options that still meet code?
- Have I explored insurance and rent pass-through benefits available after the retrofit?
- Is the contractor giving me a transparent breakdown of each cost — or just one number?
- How does my current plan protect me not just from earthquakes, but from unnecessary future expenses?
If these questions don’t yet have clear answers, Connor Daly Construction is here to walk through them with you — no pressure, just clarity.
Contact us today for a transparent, cost-conscious proposal tailored to your building and budget. [License #546425]
The Bottom Line: A Stronger Building and a Stronger Balance Sheet
Seismic retrofitting is about more than bolts and beams. It’s about financial control. It’s about keeping tenants safe, maintaining revenue after an earthquake, and reducing insurance premiums before disaster strikes.
