Call us today at (844) LA RETRO or (844) 527-3876
About Us
American Retrofitters is a full service structural engineering and construction company located in Los Angeles, California that truly specializes in seismic retrofitting. We’re a division of BASEC Structures (CSLB 684673), and we were created for the sole purpose of servicing soft‑story retrofit projects under the ordinances recently passed in and around the Greater Los Angeles area.
Mr. Hamid Esmaili is the founder and Chief Engineer of both BASEC Structures and American Retrofitters. He has more than 36 years of experience in the field of engineering and construction, and more than 25 years of experience specifically in seismic retrofitting. He has been responsible for the construction and seismic retrofit of major and complex projects throughout Northern and Southern California, and he has received several prestigious awards for his skill and outstanding performance, particularly for his notable work on Historic Landmarks.
We’re your best choice because we’re more qualified, more knowledgeable, and more competent than anyone else. We’re an integrity driven client-focus firm that puts your interest first.
Meet Our Principals
Our principals are intimately involved in the day-to-day operations and they are always available to our clients.
Our Experience
Mr. Hamid Esmaili’s credentials includes:
- The former District Chief, Plan Check Division of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), supervising 30 engineers and responsible for residential and commercial plan checks, field investigations, and review of building and zoning code variances.
- The former Supervisor, Earthquake Safety Division of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), responsible for the development and implementation of the necessary specifications, guidelines, and design procedures for upgrading hazardous buildings to bring them into compliance with the seismic provisions of Divisions 88, 92 and 95 of the Los Angeles Building Code and the Uniform Code of Building Conservation (UCBC).
- The Principal Investigator for the California Seismic Safety Commission (CSSC), investigating the 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge Earthquake.
- The Lead Engineer surveying the damage caused by the magnitude 5.9 Whittier Narrow Earthquake, responsible for improving requirements of the seismic upgrade of commercial and residential structures.
- The Lead Structural Engineer and Assistant Project Manager for the $400 million expansion of the Los Angeles Convection Center, responsible for field investigations, budget and schedule monitoring, and preparation of necessary reports and public relations materials.
We invite you to investigate our competitors and to compare our credentials and references.
Why Us?
Because we’re the best.
Creative Approach
Each project is carefully engineered to reduce construction costs, and we pass those savings onto you.Attention to Detail
We develop less intrusive and more cost-effective designs by paying close attention to existing loads, usable walls, and potential obstructions from by existing utilities.
One-Stop Solution
We've got you covered, from start to finish, with a fully transparent process that keeps you in the know.From Start to Finish
We handle it all, including the permit process, clearance from the housing department, tenant coordination, and any cost recovery program your city may offer.
Firm Proposals
Our proposals are not subject to change based on engineering or plan check, so you know exactly what you'll be paying.Not Subject to Change
What good is a proposal if it’s subject to change? How do you budget the work? Don’t lock yourself into a contract that doesn’t have a fixed price.
34 Years of Experience
Be confident that you're hiring the best in the business. We invite you to compare our credentials with any competitor.Our Experts
Our expert team includes the former LADBS District Chief of Plan Check, the former LADBS Engineering Supervisor of the Earthquake and Safety Division, and others.
As Seen In
You know you’ve seen us before, but you’re not quite sure where. Aside from the spiffy banners and signs that don some of the buildings we’re working on, here are a few other places where you might’ve seen American Retrofitters.
