How Much Does It Cost to Level a House on Piers

How Much Does It Cost to Level a House on Piers: For a basic house leveling project, where the crawl space has easy access and minor work is needed, expect the cost to be around $4,000 to $5,000. The most common pier and beam repair project will cost between $7,000 to $9,000 with more widespread/complex work needed and a more restricted crawl space.

How Much Does it Cost to Install Piers for Foundation?

Installing piers below your home’s foundation typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per pier.

Although the number of piers required depends on the size of your home and the extent of the damage to your foundation, most homeowners find that they need seven to ten piers. This would bring the total cost for foundation piering to between $7,000 and $30,000. The average cost sits around $16,000.

Keep in mind that these numbers are just rough estimates, and your total could fall well above or below these amounts. In the sections below, we’ll discuss some factors to consider when estimating your costs for foundation pier installation and some additional costs you might incur, depending on your specific property.

Here is what it usually costs to have a professional foundation/structural evaluation of a home or business

• Foundation repair company estimates – $0 – $249 (includes comprehensive evaluation, pricing & repair plan)
• Home inspection with report – $350 – $640 (includes a general 1st stage assessment and recommendation if needed. If problems are identified, you will need a Certified expert)
• Residential Structural Engineer report – $300 – $750 (includes a comprehensive evaluation & repair plan, but does not specify the cost of materials or labor needed to repair the home)
• Commercial Structural Engineer report – $750 – $1500 (includes a comprehensive evaluation & repair plan, but does not specify the cost of materials or labor needed to repair the property)

The most important thing to do first is to have a train expert investigate the severity of the damage. It is also important to do so as soon, before the problem gets worse (and more costly to repair).

The typical cost range for raising a house is between $3,226 and $10,555. The national average is $6,883. Less extensive projects could cost about $900, while more extensive ones could reach $20,000. This price is just for raising the home.

Raising a foundation is a form of repair that encompasses lifting a house, potentially removing the old foundation, and building a new foundation or adding to an existing one. This is also the way historical buildings are moved to new locations. The cost to lift a house and replace the foundation is between $25,000 and $100,000.

Also Read: Settlement Cracks in Brick Walls

What Is the Best Way to Fix Your Foundation?

Acculevel has been repairing foundations since 1996, and experience has shown us that the best method to fix a settling foundation is by employing helical piers. Other companies may offer to use push piers for this type of repair, but these piers apply extra stress to your foundation that is not necessary. For a detailed explanation of the difference between push piers and helical piers, please check out this comparison piece.

Piers should be thought of as an investment in your home, as they can indirectly increase your property value. Insuring or selling your home with an unstable foundation is virtually impossible. Insurance companies will require the repairs be made before insuring the home; likewise, a potential buyer will make their offer contingent on the work being completed and approved by the home inspector.

Also Read: Creaking Stairs Talcum Powder

Settling Foundation Repair

Over time, you may notice that one side of your home or commercial building is lower than the other, or the center is starting to sink. This can be caused by differential moisture content on each side of the foundation and poorly compacted soil. Depending on where you are located, it’s also possible that the building was constructed on a sinkhole.

Sinking foundations need to be leveled by raising them to their original height and reinforcing them. Two common methods are:

• Piering and underpinning: This repair involves placing piers under the foundation and lifting it to its original level. Options include helical piers, which are an easily-installed solution for properties built on unstable soil, and push piers, which close cracks as they lift your property back to level. Costs can run from $1100 to $1800 per pier, depending on type used and whether they are dug by hand or machine.
• Leveling and slab jacking: A grout mixture is pumped into air pockets under the foundation, floating it to its original level. Because less equipment is involved, costs can run anywhere from $500 to $1,000.

Repair costs can also vary depending on the type of structure and how much the foundation has to be raised. Raising one corner will be less expensive than lifting the whole building, and a house with a slab will have a different cost than a house with a basement.

Also Read: Angle of 4/12 Pitch

Advantages of Pier and Beam Foundation

Modern basements of pier and beam are essentially high wooden foundations which are placed 18-24 "off the ground and rest on concrete pier. Before 1960’s the pier and beams were made by wood or tree stumps and this time it were the most popular ones. Newer pier and beam houses usually have concrete beams around the external perimeter of the house and they are all covered in crawls. The crawl space makes access to plumbing pipes and electrical boxes easy, sometimes making repairs easier than other bases.