How Much Does Concrete Leveling or Mudjacking Cost?

Mudjacking Cost Per Square Foot

The average cost of mudjacking is between $3 to $6 per square foot, which is 25% to 50% less than the cost of replacing the slab. Mudjacking is the process of pumping a slurry composed of water, cement, and dirt under a slab to lift it. It usually lasts from eight to 10 years, assuming the surface doesn’t need to continually support a load. 

These surfaces include the following:

• Driveways

• Patios

• Pool decks

• Porches

• Steps

• Walkways

Other Slabjacking Costs

Mudjacking isn’t the only method used for leveling concrete surfaces. You can also choose from foam jacking and sand jacking. However, each has different costs and applications, but foam jacking—the most expensive—provides the longest-lasting solution.

Polyurethane Foam Concrete Raising Cost

Foam jacking costs $6 to $25 per square foot. Also known as polyjacking, foam jacking injects polyurethane foam under concrete and is used more often for light load-bearing concrete. The primary cost variable is the specific composition of material, since companies like Polylevel each use their own proprietary formulas. 

Polyjacking:

• Lasts longer than mudjacking

• Can cure in as little as 30 minutes, making it more convenient for homeowners. 

• Provides at least 6,000 to 14,000 lbs per sq. ft. of support (generally more under pressure). 

• Better for load-bearing surfaces such as basements, garage floors, and foundations that hold up load-bearing walls.

Sandjacking Cost

Sandjacking costs $3 to $10 per square foot. It uses dry sand, typically dry limestone. This method lifts the concrete using jacks and machinery, then lays in the sand. Properly compacted, it can last longer than mudjacking. 

Slabjacking Costs by Surface Type

The cost of slabjacking can range from $3 to $20 per square foot, depending on the type of surface you're raising. The specific cost and process also depend on variables such as the size of the slab, the load it must bear, and whether that load is static or dynamic. 

Mudjacking contractors in your area often refer to mudjacking as slabjacking when the surface they’re raising is a solid concrete slab. Surfaces that contractors often raise with slabjacking include the following:

Foundation Jacking 

You can use foam or mud to lift a foundation. Since this is a structural, load-bearing part of your home, it requires professional installation to avoid damaging the structure. The most important benefit of foundation jacking is to correct uneven concrete and add structural support. These issues can be serious, requiring prompt action.

• Mudjacking a foundation costs between $3–$6 per sq. ft., meaning a 1,500-square-foot foundation costs $4,500–$9,000 to level. 

• Foam jacking ranges from $6–$25 per sq. ft., or $9,000–$37,000 for a 1,500-square-foot foundation. 

Driveway Leveling 

The cost per square foot is the same as a foundation, but you can level a driveway by mudjacking since it doesn’t need to bear a constant load. The most common cause of a sinking driveway is downspouts pouring water next to the slab when it rains.

• A partial drive of 200 square feet costs $600–$1,200 to mudjack, and $1,400–$3,000 to foam jack. 

• A full driveway of 450 square feet costs $1,400–$2,700 to mudjack, and $3,000–$7,000 to foam jack. 

Sidewalk Jacking 

Sidewalks include both the concrete sidewalk along the street, but also any pathways around your home. Along the street, you might need to get a permit before doing any work. Either way, these are smaller and easier to do than most other mudjacking projects. 

Sidewalk with an area of 100 square feet costs:

• Mudjacking will cost between $300–$600 

• Foam jacking runs more, at about $600–$2,500

• Sidewalk repairs cost $700–$2,200

• Sidewalk replacements cost $1,200–$2,400

These prices assume the sidewalk doesn’t have obstructions on the side such as bushes and trees, which require more time to level due to the sidewalk’s restricted access. Empty spaces under the sidewalk also increase the cost if they’re more than a couple of inches deep, which means more foam or mud.

Garage Floor Leveling

Garage floor mud jacking may only need a small section or the entire structure, which will change costs. Identifying the cause of the sinking before you proceed is vital, since it may require additional work first. For example, deep erosion on the side of the garage may require a structural repair with piers instead of mudjacking.

• You can mudjack a single section of a garage floor for about $500–$1,000 if the rest of the floor is in good shape.

• Otherwise, the cost of mudjacking an entire 2-car garage ranges from $1,100–$2,500.

• Foam jacking the floor would cost roughly double mudjacking.

• Adding an epoxy garage floor coat costs $1,500–$3,300 more.

Patio Slab Leveling

Leveling a patio slab costs about the same per square foot as you would pay for a sidewalk. It’s a good idea to keep it level to avoid a tripping hazard. Plus, if you want to cover your concrete with tile or other flooring, you’ll want it leveled first. 

• For mudjacking, you’ll pay $300–$600 per 100 square feet; double that for the entire patio. 

• Foam jacking would cost roughly $600–$2,500 for the entire patio.

• Patio installation costs $2,000–$5,500 or about three to eight times as much.

Concrete Stair Leveling

Concrete stairs often require drilling around the sides or drilling exceedingly long holes through the stairs themselves, as they are usually thick. However, the stair area makes them fairly inexpensive to level. 

• Concrete stair mudjacking costs $200–$400 because it’s a small area.

• Foam jacking the stairs costs $400–$900, with some jobs costing more due to the weight of the stairs.

Cost to Level Concrete Floor

Mudjacking one concrete floor in a home costs $600 to $1,600 and accounts for several cost variables. The cost of the material itself is usually the biggest variable, followed by the length and terms of the warranty. The specific leveling technique also has a significant effect on price. Furthermore, local foundation repair contractors vary quite a bit in their labor charges, depending on your area.

Self-Leveling Concrete Cost

Self-leveling concrete costs $1 to $5 per square foot, not including labor. It can be significantly cheaper than mudjacking, but you can only use it if the slab hasn’t sunk more than an inch. You shouldn’t use self-leveling concrete for basement floors at all, regardless of the degree of sinking. In addition, this type of concrete requires you to repair erosion and other serious foundation problems before using it.

DIY vs. Hire a Concrete Lifting Pro

The size of the area you need to lift is the biggest factor in deciding whether you can perform a concrete-lifting project yourself. A slab with an area no greater than four square feet is possible for a DIYer experienced with concrete. However, larger slabs require house-leveling contractors near you with mudjacking equipment. The high density of concrete requires weight-bearing equipment to avoid cracking the slab.