Plumbing leaks are never fun, but they’re worse when they happen inside your foundation. Use this guide to slab leak repair costs to see what you’re up against.
Foundation Repair Cost in Boston, MA [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $1,360 - $5,700
Foundation repair in Boston, MA costs an average of $3,514, but it can range from $1,360 to $5,700, depending on your foundation type and the extent of the issue.
How we get this data
fstop123 / E+ / Getty Images
fstop123 / E+ / Getty Images
Cost Insights
Foundation repair costs in Boston depend on the type and size of the foundation.
Basements are the most common foundation type in Beantown.
Prices also depend on the issue and necessary repairs.
Homes in Massachusetts are susceptible to crumbling foundations.
You’ll need two permits for foundation repair in Boston: a long-form permit and a foundation permit.
Foundation repair costs in Boston range from $1,360 to $5,700, with the average Bostonian paying about $3,514 to have a contractor make repairs to a home’s foundation. Prices depend on the size and type of foundation, as well as the problem and necessary repair work.
Though less common in Boston proper, many Massachusetts homes have crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite-contaminated concrete. Estimates to repair those foundations run from $150,000 to $250,000.
Foundation Repair Cost Factors
The cost to repair a foundation in Boston, MA, depends on its size, the type of foundation, the type of repair, and the actual problem.
Foundation Size
Foundation size directly impacts the cost of fixing it. The larger the home, the larger, heavier, and more structurally complex the foundation tends to be. Large foundations also often require more equipment and materials for repairs.
The per-square-foot cost of foundation in Boston, MA, repairs ranges between $1 and $8 per square foot on average. The range accounts for everything from minor sealant upgrades to full epoxy replacement. Prices can go much higher per square foot for certain materials, but assume this range on average when considering the full area of your home's foundation.
| Foundation Size (Square Feet) | Boston, Massachusetts Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500 | $500–$3,950 |
| 1,000 | $1,000–$7,925 |
| 1,500 | $1,475–$11,875 |
| 2,000 | $1,925–$15,850 |
| 3,000 | $2,975–$23,750 |
Foundation Type
Your options for foundation repairs will vary based on your home’s foundation type, whether it’s a basement, a concrete slab, cinder blocks, bricks, or a crawl space. Prices for each foundation type also depend on the type and extent of damage since there’s no single solution for all foundation problems.
The most common type of home foundation in Boston, Massachusetts, is a basement, though many homes may instead have a slab foundation, crawl space, or pier and beam foundation. The table below breaks down Boston foundation repair costs for these four common types, as well as other varieties of foundations you may encounter.
| Type of Foundation | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basement | $1,525–$5,025 | Offers additional space for living and storage | Costly and susceptible to moisture and water issues |
| Cinder block and brick | $225–$16,500 | Cheaper and easier to install | Poses water and pest risks |
| Concrete slab | $225–$13,200 | Solid structure that keeps out insects and pests | Makes it difficult to access plumbing, and offers no storage space |
| Crawl space | $2,975–$5,275 | Cheaper than basements, and can be insulated | Difficult to access, and prone to moisture problems |
| Pier and beam | $500–$16,500 | Resistant to floods, offers good insulation, and offers easy access for repairs | Limited load-bearing capacity, and prone to pest and moisture issues |
| Stem wall | $225–$13,200 | Easy access, and ideal for flood zones | Costly to build, and requires more maintenance |
Type of Repair
The cost to fix your foundation can depend on the foundation repair method used to fix your problem. Many types of foundation repair are available, each requiring specific materials and experience. You can hire a foundation repair pro near you to fix most issues.
| Type of Repair | Costs Range in Boston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Foundation lifting | $13,200–$15,175 |
| Mud- or slab-jacking | $325–$850 |
| Piering or underpinning | $650–$1,975 |
| Reinforcement strips | $2,650–$7,925 |
Type of Issue
Every foundation problem comes with a unique price tag, particularly when a contractor has to take multiple approaches to fix it. Foundation crack repair costs, for example, depend on whether the problem stems from drainage problems, soil instability, or poor installation.
Leaks may require contractors to add a range of waterproofing methods to your foundation or investigate the source of the water from inside or outside your home. In more extreme cases, a bowing wall or sinking foundation will require major reinforcement or even replacement.
Regional soil composition, cold temperatures (including frequent frosts), and moisture fluctuations are common causes of foundation cracks in Boston.
Another major problem for homes in Massachusetts? Crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite, which as of 2020 was impacting at least 2,000 homes, according to MassLive—a foundation issue that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per home to fix. While Boston homes are less likely to have this issue, it’s still something to have a foundation expert analyze during your next inspection.
| Foundation Issue | Cost to Repair in D.C. |
|---|---|
| Bowing walls | $2,650–$7,925 |
| Crumbling foundation | $150,000–$250,000 |
| Foundation cracks | $175–$525 |
| Foundation leaks | $1,325–$4,625 |
| Foundation reinforcement | $650–$3,300 |
| Home settling | $3,300–$16,500 |
| Poor soil drainage | $525–$9,900 |
Foundation Repair Pro Costs
No matter the issue, labor makes up the largest portion of overall foundation repair costs. Foundation repair pros in Boston charge between $125 and $200 per hour. How long it takes the contractor depends on the type and severity of the issue, from as little as a few hours to as much as several weeks.
Foundation Repair Permit Costs in Boston
In Boston, you’ll need two permits to repair your foundation. First, you must apply for a long-form permit, which costs $50, plus another $10 per $1,000 of the estimated project cost. After you’ve been approved, you’ll take that permit to apply for a foundation permit.
Boston doesn’t share what its foundation permit costs, as it varies by project; you’ll find out upon application. That said, your foundation contractor can likely provide an estimate.
Other Permit Costs
When you apply for the foundation permit, you’ll need more than just the long-form permit. You’ll also need stamped plans (which may require the services of a local architect) and proof that you’ve been working with a licensed rodent control exterminator near you, both of which will add to your costs.
You’ll also need approval from the Boston Water Sewer Commission and a signed agreement stating you’ll follow all building codes.
Does Foundation Repair Affect Home Value?
Repairing a foundation does not increase home value. Home buyers expect a problem-free foundation as a given when considering a house; it’s not an upgrade that will make your home more attractive.
However, a home with unresolved foundation problems poses two problems that could decrease the value of your home:
Foundation issues that are left unresolved will worsen over time and could lead to major structural problems, as well as pest and water damage, that could be significantly more expensive to repair.
When a potential buyer makes an offer on your home and then hires a home inspector, you can expect that inspection to turn up foundation issues. This will either cause the buyer to back out, drop their offer price, or ask you to fix the issue before finalizing the deal.
That means foundation repair is absolutely worth the cost, even if it doesn’t increase your home’s value.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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