Retrofitting 101 – A retrofit inspection is an inspection to see if a property that is up for sale and in escrow is up to its city code for the new buyer. Whether this inspection is required or not is determined by the purchase contract between buyer and seller. A retrofit inspection for this purpose is called a ‘code compliance retrofit inspection’, which is not the same as a retrofit inspection to see if a properties foundation is in good shape or seeing if a property will be safe during an earthquake. That type of retrofit inspection is call a ‘seismic retrofit inspection’.
When the code compliance retrofit inspection is complete, a Certificate of Compliance, or COC, is issued to escrow and is shared with all parties. This certificate will note if the property is compliant with respect to all required code items or not.
But why do they call it retrofitting?
The term ‘retrofitting’ was used in code compliance in the early 1990’s since most of the code compliance being done at that time was ‘retrofitting’ older non-low flow toilets to the newer low flow toilets in the city of Los Angeles. The State of California later followed with a similar law for the entire state of California. Today the term ‘retrofitting’ encompasses other inspected items, and not just low flow toilets, such as smoke detectors, water heater strapping and other items relating to health and safety concerns.
What code compliance retrofitters do not do.
Code compliance retrofitters do not do ‘seismic’ foundation retrofitting, nor do we bolt foundations and structures. We do not check slab foundations for cracks. Our inspection is a basic inspection to check to make sure the property is compliant and safe for the new buyer for the terms of a purchase contract.
If you are uncertain as to which type of retrofit inspection you require, feel free to call us with any questions you may have at 310.800.4418.
