How Much Does It Cost to Raise a House in 2025?
$7,627 is the average cost to raise a house
Homeowners pay between $960 and $25,000 to raise a house, with average prices of $7,627.
Home size, labor, and reasons for elevation are key cost factors for raising a house.
Houses may be raised for various reasons, such as relocating the home, replacing the foundation, or constructing a second story or basement.
Costs increase if the house foundation requires modification or repair.
Hiring a professional to raise your home is essential to ensure the job is done safely, efficiently, and complies with local regulations.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Most homeowners spend an average of $7,627 to raise a house, with costs ranging between $960 and $25,000. Several factors will affect your total price, including your location, the size and age of your home, and the height of the lift required. Hiring a professional house raiser ensures a safe, effective, and code-compliant job. Before you begin this major project, let's examine the components of the cost and learn how to budget effectively.
Raising a House Cost Factors
Several factors affect how much you'll pay to raise your house. The size, structure, and age of your home all play a role. Plus, the more you need to lift your house, the more time, labor, and materials will be required, which can increase costs.
House Size
The bigger your house, the more you'll pay to raise it. The table below outlines what you can expect, depending on the size of your home.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $10,000–$30,000 |
| 1,500 | $15,000–$44,000 |
| 2,000 | $20,000–$55,000 |
| 2,500 | $25,000–$60,000 |
Structure and Age
The type and age of your home can impact the cost of raising it. Single-story and prefabricated homes are easier and less expensive to lift or move. If you have a multi-story home, it will need extra stabilization, which adds time and expense. Older or historic homes often cost more to raise because they may require specialized expertise and techniques, requiring more planning and higher overall costs.
Labor
Raising your house involves several labor costs. You'll need to hire local house lifting professionals, like plumbers and electricians, to disconnect utilities, as well as experts to handle the actual lifting. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 per hour, while electricians cost $50 to $100 per hour.
Excavation costs $40 to $150 per hour. General labor for raising the house costs about $16 per hour. You will also need to hire a heavy equipment operator, which costs $22 per hour.
When tackling a project of this size, it's best to hire a general contractor who can oversee the process and manage the hiring of other professionals.
Landscaping and Cleanup
Depending on the layout and vegetation in your yard, you may need landscaping before or after lifting your home. Large trees can obstruct access, requiring you to pay for their removal.
Permits
Don't forget about permits when planning to raise your house. You’ll need to obtain the proper permits before starting the project, which costs between $1,200 and $2,000. These permits ensure that every part of your house-raising meets safety and building codes, protecting you from potential legal issues.
Insurance
Two types of insurance are crucial to consider when raising your house: homeowner's insurance and contractor's insurance. Discuss homeowner coverage options with your insurance provider to ensure your house is adequately protected. This is also a good opportunity to discuss how raising your home can help you save on future insurance premiums. For example, raising your home can lower your premiums if you live in a flood zone.
Most contractors come prepared with their contractor insurance for large-scale projects. It's best to confirm their insurance and request a copy for your records.
Cost to Raise a House by Need
The reason you need to raise your home significantly impacts your total project costs. Projects requiring minimal alterations to the foundation, such as building a second story or moving your home, have a lower cost. Projects that involve altering the structure to repair or replace a foundation or build a basement come with a higher price tag.
| Reason for Raising | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Move home | $15,000–$200,000 |
| Raising above a flood zone | $20,000–$80,000 |
| Foundation replacement | $20,000–$100,000 |
| Build a basement | $10,000–$175,000 |
Move Home
In addition to raising your home, moving it requires transport permits, transport costs, and a new foundation. Transporting the home itself ranges from $15,000 to $200,000 or more, depending on the size and distance of your home, as well as the cost of adding a new foundation at the final location.
Raise Above a Flood Zone
If you're located in a flood zone, raising your home can reduce your insurance premiums and minimize the risk of water damage. You'll need to raise your home at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation, which varies depending on your area.
Raising a house above a flood zone costs between $20,000 and $80,000, which includes the base cost of raising the house and installing piers, columns, or pilings.
Foundation Replacement
Raising a home to replace the foundation ranges from $20,000 to $100,000, with the size of your home being the primary cost factor. Most foundation installations cost $4,015 to $14,820, while foundation repairs cost $2,220 to $8,115.
If you need structural reinforcements, your contractor may recommend additional measures, such as steel beam replacements or basement waterproofing.
Build a Basement
Raising a home to build a basement is one of the most costly house-raising projects. In addition to the base cost of raising your house, you will also need to account for the price of basement construction and finishing. The average cost to dig out a basement ranges from $10,000 to $175,000.
DIY House Raising vs. Hiring a Pro
House raising is a complex and extensive process that requires the assistance of a professional. Attempting to raise a house yourself can result in structural damage, personal injury, and costly repairs. Professional house raisers have the necessary equipment, experience, and permits to safely lift your home and secure it properly. Hiring a qualified professional helps ensure the job is done correctly and protects your home’s long-term integrity.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, it takes two to seven days to physically raise your house. However, this does not include the preparation work, which is often the most lengthy process. The entire project, including preparation, obtaining permits, disconnecting utilities, and any subsequent landscaping, can take four to eight weeks. This timeline ensures everything is done safely and that your home remains structurally sound.
If proper safety protocols are not followed, raising a house can cause severe damage, as the process involves applying controlled force to the home's structure. The risks involved make it crucial to hire a skilled contractor who uses engineered methods to secure your home and prevent any harm to your household.
If your foundation shows signs of instability after raising your home, you might need to add structural support. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and recommend reinforcements to ensure your house stays stable and safe for the long term. Available support options include installing additional piers or pilings, reinforcing existing footings, or using steel beams to distribute the load more evenly.
You will need a structural engineer to assess your home before you begin. These professionals determine whether your house is suitable for lifting and identify any issues that could compromise its stability. Their expertise ensures that the project is designed correctly and all risks are managed to achieve a successful lift.
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