Welcome to retrocal, where seismic retrofit projects are completed professionally & efficiently  

Private Builders Inc. (dba RetroCal) is a full service design-build firm that specializes in providing in-house engineering and construction services for soft story seismic retrofit projects in the entire Los Angeles County.

Our goal as a company is to incorporate design and construction practices into each project while maintaining an awareness for cost, feasability, convenience, needs, desires and available resources of our clients. We strive to work with the other members of the project team to strike that delicate balance of project cost versus environmental impact. Designing and retrofitting buildings requires knowledge, experience, passion and a commitment from all members of the team. We bring the skills and experience necessary to achieve our clients' goals in retrofitting their buildings.

Whether you use our engineering, construction, or both services, we will tailor a customized project plan based on your design preference, schedule, quality, and budget priorities. Give us a call today and see how we can help you with your project.

Soft Story Seismic Retrofit

On October 9, 2015 Los Angeles City Council adopted Ordinance No.183893 - Amending Division 93 and 95 of Article I of Chapter IX of the LAMC to establish mandatory standards for earthquake hazard reduction in existing wood-frame buildings with soft, weak, or open-front walls and existing non-ductile concrete buildings, and amending Sections 152.02, 152.04, 152.05 and 152.08 of Article 2 of Chapter XV of the LAMC to grant authority to the Rental Adjustment Commission to modify Tenant Habitability Program requirements for purposes of implementing seismic retrofit mandates. Ordinance has been in effect since November 22, 2015.

An example of a building containing a soft story would be a wood-frame building with more than one story that typically has extensive ground story windows, garage doors, or open-air spaces such as parking or other similar open floor plan with little or no enclosing solid wall, that lead to a relatively soft or weak lateral load resisting system in the lower story. We are FEMA trained and a preferred contractor for California's Brace&Bolt program.

Questions ?

Blog