So many of our clients and friends call us these days asking about the State of California’s Earthquake Brace & Bolt (“EBB”) program, and especially about how the EBB provides free government money grants of $3,000 to homeowners, so that they can seismically retrofit their homes. As the earthquake retrofit professionals at Weinstein Construction are EBB approved and FEMA authorized and trained contractors since 1994, we are always more than happy to explain how homeowners can qualify, apply, and hire an approved contractor to do their home’s earthquake retrofit, and collect this free government money grant!
What is the EBB Program?
As you are reading this blog, you may be asking yourself, what is the origin of the EBB program? Well, this program began as a State of California initiative to help owners of older homes (typically wood-framed houses built before 1980 with raised foundations and short “cripple walls” beneath the floor) strengthen such buildings so that they can withstand the powerful forces of earthquake. These houses are particularly vulnerable because they can shift off their foundations or collapse at the base during an earthquake. In the Greater Los Angeles region, where many homes were built before modern seismic codes, the program is especially important, as it provides grants of $3,000 (and in some cases up to $7,000), so that homeowners can afford the cost of a seismic retrofit.
Such a retrofit project basically involves two streams of work: (i) bracing the home’s cripple walls with plywood or other sheathing to keep them rigid; and (ii) bolting the home securely to its concrete foundation so it won’t slide or topple when the inevitable earthquake hits. Moreover, the home’s water heater is strapped to prevent it from tipping and reduce the risk of gas leaks or fires.
Who is Eligible for the EBB Grants?
In case you are wondering, who is eligible for the EBB grant, that is a very good question which must be answered on two fronts! Firstly, we should discuss what type of property is eligible, and second, we should discuss what type of a homeowner is eligible. With respect to the home, in order for it to be eligible under the EBB program, the home must be a wood-framed house that was built before 1980. The home must also have a raised foundation with a crawl space, and be located in one of the program’s eligible ZIP codes, which are determined periodically.
Finally, while many homeowners may qualify for the standard $3,000 EBB grant, the program also offers a supplemental grant for income-eligible households. To qualify for this additional grant, the home must meet the standard EBB program requirements and have an annual income at or below $89,040. Together, the standard and supplemental EBB grants work to make seismic retrofitting extremely affordable for everyone!
Are Landlords and Non-Owner-Occupied Properties Eligible?
For those readers of this blog who are wondering whether or not landlords and non-owner occupied properties are eligible to participate in the EBB program, the answer is a resounding yes!
But, it wasn’t always that way… Up until recently, the EBB program required homeowners to own and live in the property as their primary residence, but in 2025, the program began allowing non-owner-occupied home (for example rental properties) to participate and benefit from the program’s free money grant.
Why Hire an EBB-Approved Contractor?
Interestingly, one of our clients asked us recently, why should I hire an EBB-approved contractor for my home’s retrofit? Well, for one, it is a requirement of the EBB program that the seismic retrofit work be performed by an EBB-approved contractor. In fact, only licensed contractors such as Weinstein Construction, who have been vetted and approved by EBB can complete the earthquake retrofit, and this helps ensure that the work being done on the home meets the requisite building codes and complies with the EBB’s documentation requirements. Note, those homeowners that use a non-approved contractor for the retrofit would likely be disqualified from receiving the grant or the supplemental funding, and their retrofit might not pass inspection! Such requirements were put in place to protect both homeowners as well as the integrity of the EBB program itself.
How Weinstein Construction Helps Homeowners?
Weinstein Construction is an EBB earthquake retrofitting specialist and our company has been vetted by the EBB program! Our professionals are extremely experienced with the specific retrofit techniques and documentation needed to obtain the EBB program’s approval and reimbursement. We can help owners check their EBB grant eligibility! We can help you get your EBB and FEMA seismic grant!
When homeowners use an EBB-approved contractor such as Weinstein Construction, they minimize the type of construction errors that could delay or derail a retrofitting project or disqualify a homeowner from receiving the grant! The earthquake retrofitting specialists at Weinstein Construction know how to navigate inspections, permits, and supplemental funding paperwork, and work tirelessly to make this process smoother for homeowners! When a homeowner uses an EBB-approved contractor such as Weinstein Construction, they are guaranteed a compliant, high-quality retrofit while at the same time maximizing financial and earthquake safety benefits!
At Weinstein Construction, we are both an EBB-approved contractor and we have been FEMA-authorized and trained since 1994! We have already earthquake retrofitted in your own neighborhood, and have completed more than 10,000 Los Angeles home retrofits! Check out our many Five Star reviews from our satisfied EBB customers! Don’t wait! Schedule your earthquake retrofit today!
When you are approved for an earthquake brace and bolt program grant, we will be happy to help you earthquake retrofit your home! Qualify for Up to $3,000 in EBB Grants Check Eligibility Now! Then, call us today at (818) 717-7020 to schedule a free inspection and estimate with us, the Los Angeles region’s best earthquake retrofitters!
