Foundation raising in Arlington VA - a level house on a sound foundation
Sloping floors or sticking doors? We'll find out whether a settled section needs leveling or the whole house needs lifting, then get it level again.
Do you need your house raised or just a settled section leveled?
Foundation raising in Arlington, VA can mean two different jobs: leveling a settled section with steel push piers, or lifting the whole house on hydraulic jacks so the foundation under it can be repaired or rebuilt. Either way, the goal is a house that sits level on support that holds.
Most calls start with a floor that slopes, a door that sticks or a crack that keeps opening, and the first job is working out whether one part has settled or the whole house has to come up. The price follows that answer, then what the house sits on, since a slab home is generally harder to lift than one on a basement, crawlspace or piers, then how high it goes and how much repair the foundation needs. Lifting the house and replacing the foundation costs more than raising it alone. The schedule turns on those same things plus weather and inspections, and your estimate spells out what's included so nothing is left to guess.
Why homeowners call us for foundation raising
You'll know who's looking at your house, which parts of the job we're handling and what you're paying for before any work begins.
I come out myself
I look at every job in person, and our crew does the forming, pouring and finishing, usually with me on site.
In business since 2021
I learned the trade on flatwork crews around Northern Virginia before starting this business, so settled concrete is familiar ground.
Fully licensed and insured
We're fully licensed and insured, and you're welcome to ask for proof before you sign anything.
Prep comes first
We put the most care into the base and drainage, because that's what decides how new concrete holds up under a house.
Backed by our satisfaction guarantee
Every job is backed by our satisfaction guarantee, and I'd rather spend extra minutes explaining than leave you guessing.
Foundation raising options for your house
The right one depends on whether one part of the house has settled or the whole foundation needs work, and on what the house sits on now.
Talk to us about foundation raising
Call or ask for a free in-person estimate, and I'll come see what's settled before anyone talks about fixes.
Why homeowners trust Mainstay with foundation raising
Raising a house is mostly preparation, the same way a busy night in a kitchen depends on what got done before service. Before anyone mentions a fix, I want to know what moved, how far, what the foundation is built of and what you need from the house, because a wrong guess there costs you more than anything we pour.
One cost guide notes that lift crews usually handle the raise itself and leave repairs to others, so a general contractor often ties together surveying, engineering, utilities and the new foundation. I'll tell you which parts we take on and which need another trade, and if the house ends up higher, we can pour new steps or a concrete driveway to meet it.
Foundation raising questions we hear
How much does it cost to raise a house near Arlington, VA?
Raising a house in the Washington, DC area usually costs about $11,000 to $65,000 per job for a home of 1,000 to 2,500 square feet. That's the going rate around here, not our quote, and where your house lands depends mostly on whether the foundation gets replaced along with the lift. The written estimate I put together after looking at it lists what's in the price.
How long does it take to raise a house?
Cost guides put the whole process at 4 to 8 weeks on average, with the lift itself taking 2 to 7 days once the prep is done. Foundation type, how high the house goes, repairs, weather and inspections can all stretch or shorten that, and most of the time is prep and foundation work rather than the lift.
Can we stay in our house while it's being raised?
Plan on staying somewhere else, because one cost guide advises against living in or even being inside the house during the lift. Your furniture and belongings can stay where they are, so you only need a place for yourselves.
How do I get my house ready for a foundation lift?
Empty the crawlspace or basement and have every utility disconnected, including plumbing, electric, gas, heating and cooling, phone and internet. We'll go over which of those apply to your house when we plan the job.
Will lifting my house crack the walls or drywall?
Major damage is unlikely, since one cost guide says houses are raised slowly and smoothly. Some methods leave holes in walls for bracing that get patched afterward, and in rare cases drywall or tile cracks, depending on how the house settled before.
What license should a contractor have to raise a house in Virginia?
Virginia's Board for Contractors licenses this work, and each license has a class that sets the dollar value of a single contract and a specialty that sets the type of work. Class C covers contracts over $1,000 and under $30,000, Class B covers $30,000 up to just under $150,000, and Class A covers $150,000 or more, so check that the class matches your bid's price.
What happens when you call about foundation raising in Arlington?
Every job starts with your house and your goal, so the plan, our crew and any other trades get lined up around how you live there.
Get in touch
Call (571) 760-4256 or send the form with your foundation type, home size and what you want fixed, and we'll set up a visit.
We look it over
On site, I check the floors, the cracks, the slope and where water goes, and ask what you need from the house afterward.
Your written estimate
You get a written estimate listing what's included, which parts our crew handles and where another trade needs to come in.
The work and care notes
Once you say go, we prep, pour and finish our part of the job, then leave plain care notes for the weeks after and the first winter.
Foundation raising in Arlington and nearby cities
Arlington County keeps floodplain rules so flood insurance stays available here, and under them a house being substantially improved or substantially damaged must sit at or above the base flood elevation, one reason owners raise. We're based in Arlington and work in cities around it like Alexandria and Falls Church, so pick yours below or give us a call.
Get a foundation raising estimate in Arlington
Lining up a lift and a place to stay takes planning, so call (571) 760-4256 or send the form and we'll get started on yours.