Raising a house is a big job, but in many cases, it’s the only real solution — especially if you’re dealing with flooding, foundation failure, or planning to add a basement. Homeowners typically spend between $20,000 and $60,000 to lift a house, but costs can climb as high as $150,000 or more for complex jobs like full basement additions or foundation replacements.
The most important cost factor is why you’re lifting the house. Elevating a home just a few feet to meet flood zone requirements is usually far less expensive than raising it a full story to add livable space. Other key cost drivers include your home’s size, the existing foundation type, and how accessible the site is for equipment.
While the sticker shock can be real, lifting your home can protect against future flood damage, lower insurance premiums, and increase property value — often making it a smart investment in the long run.
In this guide, we’ll break down house raising costs by home size, foundation type, elevation height, and more, so you can plan your project with confidence.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
What Is The Cost to Raise a House?
Raising a house typically costs between $20,000 and $60,000, depending on the size of your home, your foundation type, and how high the structure needs to be lifted. In more complex projects — like adding a basement or completely replacing the foundation — total costs can climb to $100,000 or more.
The cost breakdown depends on several key factors:
- Purpose of the lift (flood protection, new basement, foundation repair, etc.)
- Home size and weight
- Foundation type (crawl space, slab, basement, etc.)
- Required lift height
- Site accessibility for heavy equipment
While you might see per-square-foot pricing estimates between $11 and $32, those numbers only tell part of the story. You’ll still need to account for permits, labor, utility disconnects, and any structural repairs required during or after the lift.
Average Cost to Raise a House by Size
Here’s what you can expect based on total square footage:
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $11,000 – $26,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $16,000 – $36,000 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | $21,000 – $46,000 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | $26,000 – $55,000 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | $31,000 – $60,000 |
These estimates are for basic lifts and don’t include major foundation work or new construction underneath. If you’re adding a basement or moving the house, your costs could double.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Home Lifting?
Some homeowners find that raising a house is necessary because of things like the base floor elevation or foundation repair. However, for others, this is a personal decision to change the look or functionality of the home. Here are some of the pros and costs of lifting a house and the factors you should consider before you jump into this process.
Pros
- Can help move out of a flood zone
- Allows for addition of a basement, or increased ceiling heights in basement
- Renovations and updates to homes can be cheaper than moving
- Increase in resale value in most situations
- Will help lower insurance premiums in some areas
Cons
- High costs
- Large team of people needed to complete the process
- Structural damage can make the process more costly
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a House by Home Type?
The structure and materials of your home have a big impact on lifting costs. Lightweight, single-story homes are much easier — and cheaper — to raise than multi-story brick or stone houses.
| Home Type | Construction | Cost Per Sq. Ft. | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-story | Wood frame, pier-and-beam or crawl space | $11 – $21 | $11,000 – $26,000 |
| Multi-story | Brick, stone, or concrete slab | $16 – $32 | $15,000 – $45,000 |
Multi-story homes require more bracing, larger crews, and extra time, all of which push up the total cost. Homes with attached garages, chimneys, or additions may also require extra work to lift safely.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a House by Foundation Type?
Your existing foundation can either help or hurt your project budget. Homes on pilings or crawl spaces are usually easier to lift. Slab-on-grade foundations and full basements add complexity — and cost.
| Foundation Type | Ease of Lift | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Crawl space | Easiest | $11,000 – $25,000 |
| Pier and beam | Easier | $12,000 – $28,000 |
| Slab-on-grade | Moderate to complex | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Basement | Complex (requires digging) | $25,000 – $60,000+ |
| Pilings | Typically lowest cost | $12,000 – $18,000 |
Slab homes cost less if the entire slab is lifted with the house — but this isn’t always possible. Raising a house with a basement often requires additional excavation and structural support.
How Much Does It Cost to Elevate a Home by Purpose?
The reason you’re raising your home has one of the biggest impacts on cost. A basic elevation to meet flood zone requirements is much cheaper than lifting to install a full basement or replace a failing foundation.
| Purpose | Typical Cost Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Flood zone elevation | $20,000 – $80,000 | Cost depends on how many feet you need to raise the house. Flood insurance savings can help offset the expense. |
| Foundation reinforcement | $7,000 – $35,000 | Usually involves lifting just enough to access and shore up weak spots. Often paired with structural engineering work. |
| Moving the house | $15,000 – $60,000+ | Includes lifting, transport, permits, and rebuilding the foundation at a new location. Moving longer distances can push costs higher. |
| Replacing the foundation | $50,000 – $100,000 | Requires a full lift to remove and rebuild underneath. Complex and time-intensive, especially for larger homes. |
| Adding a basement | $70,000 – $150,000+ | Involves lifting the house 8 – 10 feet and major excavation. Adds livable space and value, but costs more than other lift types. |
Expert Tip: If you need to raise your home more than 4 feet, FEMA recommends going a full story (8 feet or more). This makes the added space usable and improves long-term value.
Raising a House Above Flood Zone Cost
The cost to raise a house above the flood zone will range from $20,000 to $80,000. Those with piling expect more significant costs, while the pier and beam and columns have lower costs. The other factor that will come into play here is the floodplain and how high the house needs to go to get into a safe zone for FEMA. One of the things to remember here is that your insurance premiums are going to be significantly reduced, and it will help to offset the costs slightly.
Lifting a House to Reinforce Foundation Cost
Sometimes the purpose of raising a house is simply to reinforce the foundation to add a second story to the home. Most of the time, this does not require a complete foundation rebuild and instead will require a structural engineer to come in and make decisions about the best way to work on the home and fix the overall issues involved. Expect these costs to get as high as $30,000 but be as low as $7,000.
Cost to Raise a House to Move
The cost to raise a house to move will vary quite a bit based on where you are moving the house and the transportation costs involved in this process. In addition, you will have building costs at the new site that end up adding thousands of dollars to the total pricing. Keep these average costs in mind when raising a house to move:
- Permits and transporting approvals ($500 to $2,500)
- Structural engineer inspection and report ($1,000 to $3,000)
- Raising and transporting the house ($20,000 to $60,000)
- New foundation costs ($5,000 to $20,000)
Cost to Lift a Home to Replace Foundation
The costs to lift home and replace a foundation can get as high as $100,000. The biggest thing to consider here is the size of the home and the accessibility to the area where it needs to be lifted. Foundation replacements generally fall in the $25,000 price range, but the addition of the living is what puts this into a much higher category or price point.
Raising a House to Add a Basement Cost
The type of basement you decide to put in will be one of the significant cost factors that impact this process. In addition, if you have a beam foundation or a slab foundation, you may see extra costs involved with the lift. Most of the time, raising a house to install a basement will cost closer to $150,000. This is a major project and will impact the overall size and value of your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a House by Elevation Lift?
The higher you need to lift your home, the more labor, materials, and equipment the job will require — and the more you’ll pay.
| Lift Height | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 0 – 5 feet | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| 5 – 10 feet | $17,000 – $40,000 |
| 10 – 15 feet | $30,000 – $50,000+ |
Lifting above 10 feet often involves full structural relocation or adding livable space underneath. This type of elevation requires extensive bracing, heavy machinery, and engineering approvals.
How Much Does it Cost to Jack up a House?
Jacking up a house is different from a full lift. This method is used to temporarily raise part of the home, usually to repair a sagging section or damaged foundation.
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Minor jack-up (e.g., one corner) | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Full-perimeter support | $15,000 – $25,000+ |
Note: Jacking typically only raises the home a few inches and doesn’t involve moving the entire structure. It’s much more affordable because it requires fewer permits, less labor, and no major construction afterward.
Factors that Affect Jacking Up a House
The main factors that affect the cost of jacking up a home include things like the severity of the damage, the location, and ease of access to the area where the home needs to be jacked up. The joists that are installed as reinforcement can also impact the total price that you pay for jacking up a house. The good news here is that not as many personnel or experts are needed, so plumbers, electricians, and architects may not need to get involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Level a House?
Leveling is another targeted repair technique. Experts typically use it when parts of the house have settled unevenly because of poor soil or foundation issues. Here’s what different leveling methods cost:
| Leveling Method | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Shimming (minor fixes) | $1,000 – $4,000 |
| Mudjacking (slab lifting) | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Underpinning one section | $3,500 – $7,000 |
| Underpinning large areas | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Leveling doesn’t raise the whole house — it focuses on stabilizing one side or corner to make the structure even again. It’s often used as a fix for older homes with minor settling, and it’s much cheaper than a full lift.
What Are Home Lifting Labor Costs?
Raising a house isn’t a one-person job. It typically involves a general contractor managing a crew of specialists. Labor is one of the biggest cost drivers on any house-lifting project.
Here’s what you can expect to pay for the professionals involved:
| Professional | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Structural Engineer | $100 – $250 |
| Architect (if needed) | $125 – $250 |
| Plumber | $45 – $200 |
| Electrician | $75 – $150 |
| Excavation crew | $40 – $200 |
| Heavy equipment operator | $25 – $100 |
| General laborers | $15 – $40 |
Expert Tip: Choose a contractor with proven experience in structural lifts. A good GC will manage permits, inspections, and all the subcontractors, which can save you time, money, and headaches.
How to Prepare to Raise a House
Prepping for a house lift takes more than just clearing your schedule. You’ll need to disconnect utilities, move anything attached to the home, and work closely with your contractor to make sure everything’s safe and legal.
Here’s a simplified prep checklist for homeowners:
- Hire a general contractor. This is not a DIY job. A GC will coordinate engineers, permits, inspections, and all the moving parts.
- Disconnect utilities. Your gas, water, electric, and sewer lines must be shut off and safely capped.
- Clear out the crawl space or basement. Everything underneath the home needs to go. Items inside the house can usually stay.
- Call in plumbers and electricians. They’ll need to disconnect pipes and wiring running beneath the home.
- Notify utility companies before digging. This protects underground lines and avoids service disruptions to your neighbors.
- Remove attached structures. Porches, decks, stairs, fences, and even nearby landscaping may need to be removed or trimmed back.
- Secure fragile items inside. Most belongings can stay put, but you’ll want to secure or temporarily remove anything delicate or top-heavy (like a grandfather clock).
Does Raising a Home Cause Damage?
When done professionally, lifting a house should not cause major damage. The process is slow and carefully controlled — usually just a few inches at a time — to avoid cracks in drywall, tile, or flooring.
That said, older homes or structures with pre-existing issues may experience minor cosmetic damage. A good contractor will inspect your home beforehand and make recommendations to prevent issues.
Pro Tip: Secure valuables and remove delicate items from walls just in case. It’s better to be cautious, especially with older plaster or tile finishes.
How Long Does It Take to Lift a House?
The entire project typically takes four to six weeks, but the actual lift only lasts three to five days. Most of the timeline is spent on:
- Permits and inspections
- Site prep and utility disconnections
- Structural adjustments after the lift
- Pouring a new foundation (if needed)
Larger homes or more complex lifts, such as those involving new basements, may take longer.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
So, Is Raising a House Worth the Cost?
In some cases, you don’t have a choice. That’s especially true if you’re dealing with repeated flooding or severe foundation failure. In those situations, raising your home can protect your investment, reduce your insurance premiums, and keep you compliant with local building codes.
For optional projects, such as adding a basement or creating more headroom, it’s all about your goals and budget. Weigh the cost of lifting against moving or rebuilding. If you’re staying long-term and adding usable square footage, the investment may pay off in resale value and functionality.
FAQs About the Cost of Raising a House
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about how much it costs to raise a house.
Yes, you can raise most existing homes, even older ones. Professionals use hydraulic jacks to carefully lift the structure so that a new or repaired foundation can be built underneath. This is common in flood-prone areas or when a homeowner wants to add a basement. Costs typically range from $20,000 to $60,000, depending on the home’s size and condition. Make sure your house is structurally sound enough to handle the lift. Have a structural engineer assess this before the project starts.
Lifting a house comes with some serious perks. It can protect your home from future flood damage, lower your flood insurance premiums, allow for a basement addition, and make room for a stronger or more level foundation. In some markets, elevating your home can even boost resale value. While the up-front cost may be steep, many homeowners see it as an investment in both safety and property value.
Yes, but it’s more complex. If your house sits on a concrete slab, it may need to be lifted with the slab attached, or the slab may be demolished and rebuilt. Lifting with the slab intact is possible, but it requires special equipment and adds to the cost. Expect to pay on the higher end of the $25,000 to $60,000 range. An expert can advise on the most cost-effective and safe method for your specific foundation.
Expect to pay $50,000 to $100,000 for a full lift and foundation replacement. Just replacing a foundation costs around $25,000 to $40,000, but lifting the home adds significant labor, permits, and equipment costs. This type of project is often necessary for homes with major structural damage or persistent settling issues.
There’s no hard limit, but most residential lifts range from 2 to 10 feet. If you’re trying to meet floodplain regulations, 3 to 4 feet may be enough. For adding a full-height basement or new level, you’ll likely raise the home 8 to 10 feet. If you’re going that far, it’s smart to consider the long-term benefit of extra living space.
