When your commercial building was first constructed, it might have been built to suit the building codes of the time. Now, though, there might be some issues. If your building is located in an area where earthquakes are common, for example, then your building might have sustained some damage. It might not be completely destroyed, but repairs might be needed. Even if this is not true, you could be worried about damage that could occur later on. Soft story retrofitting involves doing work on your commercial building to strengthen it, and it's worth it for these reasons and more.
Make Sure Your Building is Safe
Safety should always be of the utmost importance when it comes to your commercial building, and soft story retrofitting can help with this. If you're worried about your employees or customers getting hurt if there is an earthquake while they are inside, having soft story retrofitting done can give you peace of mind. If you're concerned about the possibility of your commercial building crumbling randomly because of earthquake-related damage that might have occurred previously, then soft story retrofitting can help prevent this from happening and putting people at risk, too.
Be Sure Your Building is Compliant
In many places, such as in earthquake-prone areas, there are strict building codes in place that have to be followed when building or renovating a commercial building. This might not have been the case when your building was constructed, so your building might not be compliant with these codes. This could cause you problems now, or it could become an issue if you ever try to sell your building. If you have soft story retrofitting done by a contractor who is familiar with local building codes—particularly as they relate to earthquakes—then they can help you bring your building into compliance with current laws, regulations, and building codes.
Save Money on Future Repairs
Even if your building is not in bad condition due to earthquake-related damage right now, this does not mean that this will not happen later. If you have retrofitting done so that your commercial building will hold up better during earthquakes—and in other scenarios, too—then you can help ensure that damage is not done. This can save you large amounts of money on what could otherwise be expensive repair bills. This is yet another reason why soft story retrofitting is often well worth the cost, particularly if you work with a contractor who charges reasonable fees for their work.
For more information, contact a company that offers soft story retrofit services.