How the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) Program Works
- Isela
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
If you own an older home in California, especially one built before 1980, it’s worth asking yourself a simple but important question: Is my home prepared for the next big earthquake?
One of the most effective ways to strengthen a home against seismic shaking is through a bolting and bracing retrofit, also known as a seismic retrofit. And thanks to the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program, eligible homeowners can receive grants of up to $3,000—or even $10,000 if income-qualified—to get the work done.
What Is Bolting and Bracing?
In an EBB seismic retrofit, two key things happen:
Bolting: Your home’s wooden frame is bolted to its concrete foundation, which prevents it from sliding during seismic activity.
Bracing: If your home has cripple walls—those short walls between the foundation and the floor—they’re braced with plywood to keep them from collapsing.
This retrofit significantly reduces the risk of your home slipping, shifting, or toppling off its foundation during an earthquake. It’s a vital upgrade for many pre-1980, wood-framed homes with raised foundations—a common home style in California.
How the EBB Program Works
Each year, the EBB registration period typically opens in January. Here’s what the process looks like:
Register Online When registration is open, you can fill out a short online form with details about your home. Based on your answers, the program will determine if your property qualifies for the grant.
Get Approved for a Grant Qualified homeowners are awarded up to $3,000 to help pay for the seismic retrofit. If your household income is $89,040 or less, you may be eligible for an additional Supplemental Grant of up to $7,000.
Hire a Contractor Like Sinai Construction Once approved, you can schedule an inspection with a qualified contractor, such as Sinai Construction, who specializes in EBB-compliant retrofits. Sinai’s experienced team will evaluate your home and complete the retrofit in line with program standards.
Complete the Retrofit After the work is done, you submit documentation to the EBB program for final verification and grant disbursement.
Why Act Now?
The EBB program is first-come, first-served and only open for a limited time each year—usually at the beginning of the year. If you wait, you may miss your chance for thousands in free grant funding.
Don’t wait for the next earthquake to think about protecting your home. If you believe your home qualifies, plan now to register when the next EBB window opens—and partner with a trusted team like Sinai Construction to do the job right.
Need Help? Sinai Construction Is Here for You
With years of experience in foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing, Sinai Construction can guide you through the EBB process—from inspection to final retrofit. Our team understands the program requirements and delivers reliable, code-compliant seismic retrofits that bring peace of mind.
📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation or get on our waitlist for the next EBB grant cycle.
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