The neighborhoods of El Cerrito, including Mira Vista, El Cerrito Hills, Richmond Annex and the neighborhoods surrounding Cerrito Vista Park and Colusa Avenue, are characterized by the uphill homes, the older apartment buildings and the mixed-use properties that were constructed well prior to the state of California adopting modern standards of seismic engineering. Most of these buildings have open ground floor garages, broad carport bays or loose lower levels which do not cope with the sideways caused forces during earthquakes. As El Cerrito is close to the Hayward Fault and is topographically steep with steep hill sides that enhance the force of shaking, the risks of the aging buildings in the entire city are caused by the vulnerability of soft stories.
Certified soft story retrofitting is the correct reinforcement of buildings that property owners who are concerned with their long-term safety and stability should have to prevent the effects of seismic events. This is achieved by improving the load paths with professional assessment, promoting upgrades to the lower level that operates at the strength of old buildings and designing it to behave with the same results when struck with the forces of the sides. These enhancements are used to ensure the safety of tenants, maintenance of investments and the safety of the architectural character of El Cerrito as the region is ready to face the unavoidable seismic movement.

Earthquakes present special problems to commercial properties because of their open nature and high occupancy.
Typical causes why commercial buildings need soft story retrofits are:
Strengthening them allows the businesses to be secure, compliant, and operational following seismic activity.

Adherence to building codes will be crucial to the safety of buildings in the long run and legal standards. Licensed retrofit teams know what the local and state codes require of the structure and all reinforcements are done to at least the seismic requirements of El Cerrito. These involve the designing of steel frames, shear wall improvement, as well as connection improvement that are in accordance with the current engineering principles.
The compliant retrofit does not only shield the building during an earthquake but also lowers the liability, enhances insurability, and makes the building to pass through the necessary inspections. The owners of the property enjoy the benefits of accurate documentation and engineering computation which facilitates complete adherence to the code.
We have integrated architectural knowledge, transparency and long-term reliability in our retrofit process. The owners of the El Cerrito properties have the advantage of having certified professionals who are aware of the seismic requirements of the region and the weaknesses that are associated with developments of the older buildings. We contribute to the owners to make their structures stronger without affecting design and functionality by paying attention to precision engineering and sure reinforcement techniques.
Other than a better sense of safety, a well-retrofitted property will increase its value, minimize post-disaster expenses incurred in repairing properties, and give occupants and business owners greater peace of mind. Your building is better ground level and upgraded load paths ready with the big seismic forces which are occurring in the East Bay.
We were very happy with the results of our inspection with Ryan! He explained the settling in homes and what things we should look for, and was very professional, friendly, and efficient. Thanks!
Had a great experience working with Kyndell from Golden Bay Foundation Builders. I recently purchased the home and was looking for help with earthquake retrofitting options. He inspected my foundation carefully and determined that past bolting was likely adequate. He had suggestions about monitoring the foundation. He was very thoughtful and detailed in his approach, and worked to determine what was best for the home. In this case, that meant no need for additional work now. But if I need any additional assistance in the future, will be calling him again.
We needed crawl space repairs due to pests and moisture damage. They sealed it up, reinforced the beams, and added vapor barriersnow it’s dry and structurally sound. Excellent service from start to finish!
Our home needed retrofitting, and they did an amazing job reinforcing the foundation. They preserved the home’s character while making it structurally sound. If you need an expert who respects older homes, these are your guys.
We had a terrible experience with another contractor before finding these guys. They corrected the shoddy work, fixed our foundation properly, and treated us with respect. Finally, a business that stands by their word and does quality work.
We had a sinking foundation that caused doors to stick, but they fixed it with piers and proper leveling. Their team was professional, answered all our questions, and even followed up afterward. No more sticking doorsjust a solid, stable home.
A quick inspection by the crew revealed minor cracks that could’ve turned into big problems. They fixed them affordably and even gave tips to prevent future issues. So glad we called them before things got worse proactive and professional!
I was hesitant about foundation repair costs, but they gave a fair quote and stuck to itno surprise fees. Their crew worked fast, cleaned up perfectly, and even explained how to maintain our foundation. Honest and skilled highly recommend!
They saved us from a potential disaster when they spotted foundation issues during our home inspection. Their repair plan was clear, and the work was done efficiently without cutting corners. Now our floors are level, and we have peace of mind, great job!
We’re here to help! Swiftly addressing these concerns is key. Our experts will promptly inspect and repair your foundation, ensuring the lasting strength and safety of your home. Reach out without hesitation for reliable assistance.






We are happy to service communities throughout the East Bay Area and beyond.

Restore stability, fix cracks, and reinforce your foundation for lasting structural integrity

Thoroughly assess foundation health, identify issues, and provide expert recommendations for maintenance.

Ensure a healthy crawl space environment by addressing moisture, insulation, and structural concerns.

Replace damaged or compromised structural elements with precision and quality craftsmanship.

Strengthen your property to withstand seismic activity, safeguarding against potential earthquake damage

Expertly repair and reinforce stem walls to maintain the overall stability of your property.

Efficient drainage solutions to manage water runoff and prevent issues such as flooding and soil erosion. Our expert team designs and installs drainage systems tailored to your property's needs, ensuring effective water management.

Stabilize sinking foundations with push piers that reach load-bearing soil. Restore structure and prevent further settlement.

Fully replace failing foundations with expert craftsmanship and durable materials for lasting structural strength.

Install helical and push piers to support foundations, lift settled areas, and ensure long-term stability.

Repair damaged beams, replace supports, and level flooring to restore the integrity of pier and beam foundations.

Strengthen weak foundations by adding support beneath them, preventing movement and future damage.

Fix cracks and unevenness in slab foundations to restore level surfaces and prevent structural issues.

Improve ground support by treating unstable soil, reducing foundation movement and settlement risks.

Trust our certified experts to retrofit soft-story buildings with precision, meeting all seismic safety standards.
Golden Bay Foundation Builders: Your Bay Area Foundation Pros. At Golden Bay Foundation Builders, we embody the essence of professionalism and steadfast dedication to excellence. Our unwavering commitment to providing top-tier foundation solutions reflects our core values and drives every aspect of our work. Searching for a foundation repair specialist near you? Give us a call.
Contractor’s License #1112835
Bond: #66828987
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