Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to CA Retrofit Advisors. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our services.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and CA Retrofit Advisors ("we," "our," or "us").

2. Description of Services

CA Retrofit Advisors is a lead generation service that:

• Provides information about California's earthquake retrofit programs (EBB and ESS)
• Helps homeowners determine potential eligibility for state grant programs
• Connects qualified homeowners with pre-screened, licensed earthquake retrofit contractors
• Facilitates communication between homeowners and contractors for quote purposes

Important: CA Retrofit Advisors is an independent lead generation service and is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP), or any government entity.

3. Eligibility and Registration

To use our services, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a property owner or authorized representative of a property owner in California
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information when submitting forms
• Maintain the accuracy of your contact information

4. Lead Generation Services

4.1 How Our Service Works

When you submit your information through our website, you authorize us to:

• Share your contact information and property details with licensed contractors
• Allow contractors to contact you via email, phone, or text message
• Use your information for the purposes described in our Privacy Policy

4.2 Consent to Contact

By submitting your information, you expressly consent to be contacted by CA Retrofit Advisors and pre-screened contractors via:

• Email: For program information, contractor matches, and follow-up communications
• Phone Calls: Including calls using an automatic telephone dialing system or prerecorded messages
• Text Messages (SMS): For appointment reminders and service updates

TCPA Notice: Your consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services. You may opt out of communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions or contacting us directly. Standard message and data rates may apply to text messages.

4.3 Number of Contractors

Your lead may be shared with multiple contractors (typically 3-5) to ensure competitive quotes. The exact number may vary based on contractor availability in your area.

5. No Guarantee of Eligibility or Grants

Important Disclaimers:

• Preliminary Assessment Only: Our eligibility checker provides a preliminary assessment based on basic criteria. It does NOT guarantee qualification for EBB or ESS programs.
• Official Determination: Final eligibility is determined by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) and their approved contractors, not by CA Retrofit Advisors.
• Grant Availability: Grant funding is subject to availability and program requirements. We do not control grant allocation or approval.
• No Guarantee of Quotes: We cannot guarantee that contractors will provide quotes or accept your project.
• Contractor Independence: Contractors are independent businesses. We are not responsible for their pricing, quality of work, or business practices.

6. Contractor Relationships

6.1 Pre-Screening Process

We make reasonable efforts to screen contractors for:

• Valid California contractor's license
• EBB or ESS program certification (where applicable)
• Active business status
• General reputation and reviews

6.2 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Verifying contractor credentials and licenses
• Reviewing and negotiating contracts directly with contractors
• Ensuring contractors carry appropriate insurance
• Obtaining multiple quotes and comparing pricing
• Checking references and reviews before hiring

6.3 No Endorsement

Our referral of contractors does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of their work. We are not liable for contractor performance, project delays, disputes, or quality issues.

7. Fees and Payments

7.1 Free for Homeowners

Our lead generation service is free for homeowners. You will not be charged for:

• Using our eligibility checker
• Receiving contractor matches
• Getting quotes from contractors

7.2 How We Get Paid

Our Business Model: CA Retrofit Advisors operates as a lead generation service. When you submit your information through our website, we sell your lead (contact information and property details) to contractors in our network. Contractors pay us a referral fee for each qualified lead they receive.

This allows us to offer a free service to homeowners while connecting you with licensed professionals. Your lead may be sold to multiple contractors (typically 3-5) to ensure you receive competitive quotes.

Your Costs: Any costs you incur are directly with contractors for their earthquake retrofit services, which you negotiate independently. We receive no portion of the construction payment.

8. Accuracy of Information

8.1 Program Information

We strive to provide accurate information about California's earthquake retrofit programs. However:

• Program requirements and grant amounts may change without notice
• Our website may not reflect the most current program updates
• For official program information, consult the CEA or CRMP directly

8.2 User-Provided Information

You represent and warrant that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete. Providing false or misleading information may result in:

• Inaccurate eligibility assessments
• Termination of services
• Potential legal consequences

9. Intellectual Property

All content on our website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of CA Retrofit Advisors or its licensors and is protected by copyright and trademark laws. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute website content without permission
• Use our name, logo, or branding without authorization
• Scrape or harvest data from our website using automated tools
• Create derivative works based on our content

10. Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Submit false, fraudulent, or misleading information
• Use our services for any illegal purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with or disrupt our services or servers
• Use automated systems (bots) to access our website
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users or contractors
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

11. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

11.1 "AS IS" Service

Our services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

11.2 No Liability for Contractors

We are not liable for:

• Contractor performance, quality of work, or business practices
• Disputes between you and contractors
• Property damage caused by contractors
• Project delays or cost overruns
• Denial of grant applications or program eligibility

11.3 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CA RETROFIT ADVISORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

Our total liability to you for all claims arising from your use of our services shall not exceed $100.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CA Retrofit Advisors, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of our services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Your interactions with contractors

13. Privacy

Your use of our services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to our services at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Providing false information
• Abusive behavior toward contractors or staff

15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

15.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except where prohibited by law.

15.3 Venue

Any legal action or proceeding shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in California.

16. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by:

• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Posting a notice on our website
• Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and CA Retrofit Advisors regarding your use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

19. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

20. Acknowledgment

BY USING OUR SERVICES, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS.