We repair foundations and retrofit homes for seismic resilience with practical scope decisions based on condition, risk, and code requirements. This service covers cripple wall bracing, foundation bolting, and structural reinforcement.
“Thomas and his team completely transformed our home. The craftsmanship is exceptional.”
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Our Foundation & Seismic Approach
Portland sits in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Older homes built before modern seismic codes often lack foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, and adequate connections between framing and foundation. We assess what your home actually needs and build a scope that addresses real risk.
Every retrofit gets an engineering review, a defined permit path, and phased execution with inspections at each milestone. No guesswork on what goes under the house.
We evaluate foundation condition, connection details, and seismic vulnerability to define the appropriate retrofit scope.
Required engineering inputs and permit applications are coordinated before construction begins.
Bolting, bracing, and repair work proceed with inspections and documented closeout.
Portland Foundation & Seismic Work
N Portland
New foundation poured for garage relocation with structural connections and site grading tied to lot subdivision.
Portland
Roof tear-off, drainage corrections, and structural reinforcement addressing water intrusion and framing deficiencies.
N Portland
Roof replacement and structural corrections as part of code-compliance renovation with foundation-level coordination.
Our Guarantee
We stand behind our work. Every H&C project includes a written one-year workmanship warranty backed by our Oregon contractor bond and insurance.
Every joint, cut, and connection we make is backed for 12 months from substantial completion. If our work fails, we fix it at no cost to you.
You receive a signed warranty document at closeout. No verbal promises. No fine-print surprises. The scope is clear before you sign off.
Report a defect in writing or by email within 30 days of discovery. We schedule an inspection, confirm the issue, and handle the repair.
Project Financing
H&C Design-Build now offers financing options through U.S. Bank Avvance. If you are evaluating a remodel, you can review pre-approval options before final scope decisions are locked.
Financing is offered through U.S. Bank
Common Questions
Homes built before 1970 in Portland often lack foundation bolts and cripple wall bracing. Signs include visible gaps between mudsill and foundation, unbraced short walls in the crawl space, and missing anchor bolts.
Yes. Foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing require structural permits and inspections in Portland. Engineered plans are typically required.
Basic bolt-and-brace retrofits for single-story homes run $3,000 to $7,000. Multi-story homes, tall cripple walls, or foundation repairs can run $10,000 to $25,000 or more.
Cripple walls are short wood-framed walls between the foundation and first floor. Bracing adds structural plywood sheathing and hardware to prevent collapse during seismic events.
A standard bolt-and-brace project runs 3 to 5 days of on-site work. Projects with foundation repair or multi-area scope can take 2 to 4 weeks.
From Our Crew
Portland remodeling is what we do every day. These guides cover the real decisions homeowners face: permits, costs, materials, and trade coordination.
All guides