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Steps to a CEA BB Retrofit

After your registration is complete, and you've been accepted into the program, you will have 12 weeks to complete step one of the CEA BB retrofit. To stay on track, you may wish to follow this suggested timeline:

PHASE ONE: PRE-RETROFIT

STEP 1

 Gather the required pre-retrofit photos and documents.
Weeks 1-3 CEA BB
Decide if you are going to be an owner/builder, or hire a contractor. If you are going to hire a contractor, schedule appointments.
If you are going to hire a contractor, schedule appointments
Weeks 4-6 CEA BB
Meet with contractors, receive and review bids.
Meet with contractors, receive and review bids.
Weeks 7-8 CEA BB
Select a contractor and upload the bid to your Policyholder Dashboard.
Select a contractor and upload bid(s) to your dashboard. If
Weeks 9-11 CEA BB
As a do-it-yourselfer, get an owner/builder permit, or have your contractor obtain a building permit (see Building Permit Required Information below).
As a do-it-yourselfer get an owner/builder permit, or have y
Week 12 CEA BB

Before your retrofit begins, you or your contractor must upload these items to your Policyholder Dashboard for approval:

  • Copy of your building permit (see below)
  • Three photos of house (one of the front and one of each side)*
  • Three photos of crawl space before retrofit*
  • Completed IRS W-9 form
  • Bid, if hiring a contractor

*In .JPG file format and as specified in the Program Rules.

Building Permit Required Information:

  • Description of Work/Project Description must state “in accordance with” one of the following:
    • Chapter A3;
    • Standard Plan Set A;
    • Los Angeles Standard Plan Number One; or
    • Seismic retrofit per engineered plan.
  • City or County
  • Permit Number
  • Issue Date

NOTE: Building permit must be solely for the seismic retrofit work and may not include other work on the premise.
As a do-it-yourselfer get an owner/builder permit, or have y

STEP 2

 CEA will review your documents. You should not go to step 3 until you receive approval from CEA.

STEP 3

 After you receive approval from CEA, your retrofit construction work may begin. Schedule and complete your retrofit. You will have six months to complete your retrofit.

STEP 4

 Post-retrofit
After your retrofit is complete, gather final documentation and upload to your Policyholder Dashboard:
  • Three photos taken from same vantage point as ‘before’ photos of crawl space after retrofit*
  • Two photos of water heater bracing and strapping* (If water heater is tankless, two photos must show properly installed tankless water heater; no strapping necessary)
  • One photo showing access to crawl space including something to show scale*
  • Building permit with final inspection sign-off
  • If licensed contractor did the work, submit a contractor invoice that includes:
    • Business name, address, phone number and contractor license number and date work performed
    • Breakdown of costs by labor, materials, overhead and profit (see Program Rules for complete details)
  • If you are a do-it-yourselfer, provide receipts for the retrofit. However, the value of your labor is not a recoverable cost and tools should be rented, not purchased, as specified in the Program Rules.

*In JPG format and as specified in the Program Rules.

STEP 5

 After your final documents are approved and your payment is issued, your CEA Earthquake Insurance Dwelling Retrofit Verification form will be available. Send it to your home insurance company to see if you will receive a discount on your earthquake insurance premium.

Need Help?

Contact Us, or call Customer Service Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m (excluding holidays) at 800-584-BOLT (2658).