The following information is from the State of California's publication, "The homeowner's Guide to Earthquake safety". Please read the explanation of the cost table before reading the table. Upon request we will send you the entire 28 page brochure.

The chart below shows the typical range of costs to strengthen a home. The low end is the approximate cost of a simple job for materials only, assuming you do the work yourself. The upper end is for a professional job. Ask your architect, engineer, or contractor to explain how job was estimated.The prices given are based on 1991 prices, are for an average house on a level lot- your costs may vary. But these estimates give you a clear idea of leaving the work undone. It is usally far cheaper and safer to strengthen your home before the earthquake than to fix it afterward.

Earthquake Strengthening Project

 Cost of Project

 Cost of Repair after an Earthquake
Bracing Hot Water heater

$25 - $200

$200 versus cost of house
Anchoring Foudation

$250 - $5,000

$25,000 or total cost of house
Bracing Cripple Walls

$500 - $2,500

 $25,000 or total cost of house
 Strengthening Foundations

 $15,000 - $50,000

 $15,000 or total cost of house
 Bracing Tall walls or Posts

 $1,000 - $25,000

 $1,000 or total cost of house
 Bracing Garage with rooms above

 $200 - $25,000

 $1,000 or total cost of house
 Bracing or Replacing Chimney

 $2,000 - $12,000

 $1,000 or total cost of house

Your Property Tax Exemption

To encourage homeowners to complete earthquake strengthening projects, the state provides a property tax exemption for such projects. Earthquake strenghtening projects do not add to your property taxes. The chart below shows how your property might be affected by improvements to your home.

You must file a claim with your county assessor to recieve the exemption.

 Taxable item

 Cost

 Property Tax Amt.

 Total Prop.Tax
 Home purchase

 $150,000

 $1,500

 $1,500
 Addition of Swimming pool

 $10,000

 $100

 $1,600
 Converting Garage to den

 $5,000

 $50

 $1,650
 Strengthening weak Foundation

 $20,000

 $200

 $1,850
 Less Exemption for Earthquake Improvement

 *

 -$200

 $1,650