How much cost is it to raise a house? Raising a house, sometimes called house lifting or house jacking, can be a complicated and even very expensive project.
Raising a house will require separating its structure from its foundation using hydraulic jacks, which makes it a job best left to the professionals. Since raising a house is a complex and dangerous task it is crucial to budget for it appropriately.
Generally, raising a house is undertaken to repair its foundation, expand its overall structure by the addition of another floor, avoid flooding, or relocate a house to a new site.
The cost to raise a house: Things to think about
The cost to raise a house Brisbane will vary depending on what type of project is needed, its complexity, the specific materials or professional labor required, and its duration. The cost to raise a house can be an extremely wide range of total costs, which are then further affected by the size of a home and if any problems or damage are incurred during the house-raising process.
The cost to raise a house by the type of foundation.
Depending on the type of foundation a home has, the cost to raise a house will vary widely depending on the type of foundation it has. The cost to raise a house will generally be based on the total square footage of a house-raising project. As an example, a prefabricated house on an existing foundation will be easier and less expensive to raise compared to a vintage home with a stone foundation built in the last century.
Additionally, the cost to raise a house will be less expensive if it already has piers and beam foundations, and an existing crawl space underneath to make raising it more straightforward. For houses that have a concrete slab foundation, raising it can cost significantly more due to the added weight. In essence, while foundation type can affect the overall cost to raise a house, the size of a home still has a more significant effect on the total cost to raise a house.
The factors that can affect the cost to raise a house.
Several varying factors will determine the final cost to raise a house. While it is not always easy to exactly estimate how much the cost to raise a house is, considering the following factors can impact its total bill.
Additionally, the majority of professional companies that perform house-raising services will offer free or affordable consultations and quotes upon request, which goes a long way towards knowing the approximate cost to raise a house and helping homeowners to create a realistic budget.
Here are a few factors that must be considered to estimate the overall cost to raise a house.
- The shape and size of the house.
- The age of the house, and if any renovations have been done to it.
- The accessibility of the house.
- The elevation, land gradient, and landscaping around a house.
- The utility layout and connections of a house.
- The number and locations of the exterior or interior stairs of a house.
- The location of a house.
- The general climate at the location of a house, and
- The possibility of needing additional professional services of specialist structural engineers, architects, and others.
Additionally, other expenses can be added to the overall cost to raise a house like the installation of anti-flooding equipment like water pumps or flood barriers. It is also important to speak with an architect or other relevant professional to help determine the cost to raise a house, and if raising a home is the best solution.
Questions to ask when considering the cost to raise a house.
When considering raising a house, one should always consult with trusted architects and engineers who have experience in house raising.
Here are some questions to consider when estimating the cost to raise a house:
- Will the goal of replacing a house’s foundation, the addition of another floor, or the addition of utility connections add to the cost of raising a house?
- Will new foundation footers and the exact rising height of a house affect the overall cost to raise a house?
- How high is the possibility that a home will be damaged in the process of raising it, and how much will repairs cost, will it affect the total cost to raise a house?
- How much damage to other parts of a property could add to the cost to raise a house?
- How much will removing and re-installing utility connections add to the total cost to raise a house?
Raising a home.
Raising a house is a serious investment, both in time and money, not to mention the stress involved. The cost to raise a house should be considered carefully since one must make sure that this investment is worthwhile.
Raising a house can help increase the value of a home, ensure that a home is safe from floods, or make structural repairs to its foundation possible. A simple raising of a house may not cost much; however, very involved projects can add very large costs, sometimes up to the hundreds of thousands, to the overall cost to raise a house.
Certain factors can affect the cost of raising a house, including the following:
- The design of a house.
A compact, short, and square house will be quite easy to lift and therefore add less to the overall cost of raising a house. In contrast, larger houses with more structural designs and additions may take more time and effort to be safely raised thereby adding more to the cost of raising a house.
- The number of floors a house has.
The more floors a house has, the more complicated and the more precautions are needed therefore making it more expensive to raise. Raising a multi-story home can add greatly to the cost of raising a house to ensure that the process of lifting is safe.
- The condition of a house.
If a house is not in the best condition and is quite fragile, it can get quite complicated and add more to the cost of raising a house.
- The foundation stability of a house.
For houses with an unstable foundation, contractors may require additional steps to make sure that its raising is safe and if its foundation is damaged, an alternative way of raising can add to the cost of raising a house.
- The time frame required for a house raising to be completed and the permits needed to be obtained.
To make sure that a house raising is performed to the highest standards of quality and safety, and if one wants it to be done faster, then additional costs must be factored into the overall cost of raising a house. Additionally, getting the right permits can be one of the most costly parts of raising a house and can add a few thousand to estimating the overall cost to raise a house.
Always plan for hidden costs.
Always plan for hidden costs like discovering that a house’s foundation may be damaged and has to be repaired before the process of home raising is undertaken. There are various possibilities for hidden costs which means homeowners must be prepared to cover them when estimating the cost of raising a home.
