Let the professionals at Greg Sylvis, General Contractor, Inc., help you with your retrofitting needs. Chimney repair and retrofitting that matches the original work and ensures the safety of your home. We upgrade old masonry fireplace to newer models, check the structure within and discuss retrofitting options with you.
We inspect the outside of the home as well the inside before making assessments on how to move forward with your renovation. Let the construction professionals at Greg Sylvis, General Contractor, Inc., help you with your retrofitting needs. The shaking of the ground is not what kills most victims of earthquakes.
The main killers in earthquakes are falling buildings, fires, landslides, avalanches and tsunamis. Steel, reinforced concrete and wood are good building materials for an earthquake resistant house because they flex somewhat without breaking. Family homes built completely out of brick are less safe because they can break apart easily.
We inspect the outside of the home as well the inside before making assessments on how to move forward with your renovation. Let the construction professionals at Greg Sylvis, General Contractor, Inc., help you with your retrofitting needs. The shaking of the ground is not what kills most victims of earthquakes.
The main killers in earthquakes are falling buildings, fires, landslides, avalanches and tsunamis. Steel, reinforced concrete and wood are good building materials for an earthquake resistant house because they flex somewhat without breaking. Family homes built completely out of brick are less safe because they can break apart easily.
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A family can prepare for an earthquake by having flashlights, helmets and sturdy shoes, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water, canned food and a can opener. In Los Angeles, we use the fireplace less frequently than other parts of the country. But for those crisp autumn nights and festive holidays, a warm fireplace is the gathering place for friends and family.
In many newer houses, and some older ones, the floor framing is set directly on the mudsill. Compared to houses with cripple walls, houses built in this manner are considered to be less vulnerable to displacement from their foundations. There is still significant risk, however. The connection between the floor framing and the foundations is often too weak to withstand strong seismic movement.
Earthquake Brace + Bolt was developed to help homeowners lessen the potential for damage to their houses during an earthquake. A residential seismic retrofit strengthens an existing older house, making it more resistant to earthquake activity such as ground shaking and soil failure. The seismic retrofitting involves bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space.
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Reviews (17)
Tim S.
Nov 06, 2021
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Henny M.
Nov 04, 2021
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Greg did an extensive retrofit job on my 1908 house when I first moved in back in 2012. My house was built on river rock so it wasn't simply a retrofit but also entailed building a "sister wall". Don't ask me all the specifics b/c I'm no expert but Greg sure is! He's very personable and easy to work with. He put up with all my dumb questions and I believe the guy really loves his job. He would come over at 7am and work all day and I felt very confident that my 100+ year old house was in very good hands. Fast forward almost 10 years and I had to contact Greg about
Sayuri H.
Oct 15, 2021
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When's the next larger quake going to strike our neighborhoods? This morning, our house passed with flying colors a LA County inspection on a seismic retrofit that Greg did for us.
We're hoping that we may now qualify for a discount on our California Earthquake Authority earthquake insurance policy (our agent is looking into it). But even without an insurance discount, seismic retrofitting makes incredible sense in Southern California. We live in world-renowned earthquake country.
Greg was fanstastic. He is knowledgeable, highly communicative and responsive, thorough, quick and
We're hoping that we may now qualify for a discount on our California Earthquake Authority earthquake insurance policy (our agent is looking into it). But even without an insurance discount, seismic retrofitting makes incredible sense in Southern California. We live in world-renowned earthquake country.
Greg was fanstastic. He is knowledgeable, highly communicative and responsive, thorough, quick and
Alex N.
Aug 25, 2021
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Greg, I would appreciate that we speak about the job you abandoned mid project via phone or email as I do not think that Yelp is the forum to discuss. It seems as though that is the only outlet you will actually warrant a response through unfortunately. Sadly there is no confusion on my end, I wish that we did not go down the path we did with you but I feel it is my duty to warn others of what you put us through. It was not right and we are still financially recovering. I again suggest we take this off of Yelp to remedy what you have done to us. Thank you
Kyle Z.
Jun 03, 2021
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Great work from beginning to end. Greg did a fast, thorough job with the actual seismic retrofit, but just as importantly, he was very communicative about the administrative hoops and hurdles of the EBB program. Also, he has established relationships with the other stakeholders in the process in the local area of Pasadena. I would highly recommend hiring Greg.
Cheers to the Big One, Greg!
Cheers to the Big One, Greg!
Susan M.
Apr 10, 2021
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Jordan H.
Feb 18, 2021
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Greg really came through for us after we got a horrendous foundation inspection done when selling our house in Highland Park. $15-20k estimate!! Greg carefully reviewed the foundation and found specific updates that were not mentioned by other inspector/contractor. He was on time, very nice, and saved us thousands of dollars and lots of headache. Thanks Greg!!! If I ever need work in the future, I'll be calling you first.
Joanna B.
Aug 18, 2020
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Contacted Greg and he answered quickly, was very knowledgable about the EBB program, and was able to walk us through all that entails. We decided to not go that route since we wanted to move quickly. Greg scheduled a time to do an estimate and when all was worked out, moved quickly to get the permit, and then do the work. He does not subcontract and does the work himself so you know that it is done well. He sent us pictures to see the work (which was also needed to give to the inspector) and told us all about the inspector process which was as easy as he told us. From start to finish, an excellent
Rachel B.
Jul 07, 2020
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Called Greg last week after I'd gotten turned down for the California Brace & Bolt program & just decided to move forward with the retrofit without it. He returned my call quickly, came out over the weekend to get me an estimate & then scheduled it days later. Today we got approval on the permit! Just over a week & all was done. Excellent experience, fair price (I did my homework and got multiple quotes) and job very well done. Greg is definitely a recommended hire, you won't regret it.
Carol S.
Jul 02, 2020
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Aaron S.
Jun 19, 2020
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Sue G.
Mar 27, 2020
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Dianne R.
Feb 04, 2020
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Stan D.
Jul 23, 2019
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Greg responded within a few minutes to the "Request a Quote" feature on his Yelp page. I have been doing some minor work on my home and wanted to get a seismic person to give me his opinion on it for its earthquake safety so that I could complete it. I described my situation to Greg and texted him a pic. Greg got back to me quickly, letting me know that the work was fine and had no effect on seismic safety. Since I'm on vacation with a small window of time and can now complete my work, I really appreciate Greg's promptness, professional demeanor, and honesty.
Joshua I.
Feb 05, 2019
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Sam C.
Dec 21, 2018
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As a general contractor myself, I have to say this guy is the real deal and a very rare find in the field because he is as genuine as they come.
I wish he wasn't so busy!!!! He is a sole proprietor that knows his trade inside-out! Gave him the engineers scope and the name of two companies that bid the job so far. He proceeded to tell me exactly what each company said and more or less what they bid without me even having to say a word.
He then apologized that he was booked for two months solid, but he then told me exactly where I should be in pricing with a reputable foundation contractor
I wish he wasn't so busy!!!! He is a sole proprietor that knows his trade inside-out! Gave him the engineers scope and the name of two companies that bid the job so far. He proceeded to tell me exactly what each company said and more or less what they bid without me even having to say a word.
He then apologized that he was booked for two months solid, but he then told me exactly where I should be in pricing with a reputable foundation contractor
Kim S.
Nov 06, 2018
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