How Much Does It Cost to Raise a House? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to raise a house is $7,628, based on 1,110 verified projects reported by Angi Pros. Most homeowners pay between $3,532 and $11,851, with the spread driven by home size, foundation type, and the reason for lifting. For complex projects—such as full foundation replacement or relocating a structure—costs can reach $25,000 or more.

House Raising Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Raising a house safely requires coordinating multiple professionals, permits, insurance, and potentially a full foundation replacement. Beyond labor, you'll need to account for costs like permits, pillars, plumbing and electrical disconnection, and post-project cleanup. Understanding each cost factor upfront helps you build a complete budget before work begins.

Home Size

The bigger the house, the more it costs to raise. Here's what you can expect to pay depending on the size of your home:

Insurance

Adequate homeowners insurance coverage is required before any house-raising project begins. Your contractor must also carry proper insurance to cover a project of this complexity and scale. Confirming both policies are in place before work starts protects you from liability if something goes wrong during the lift.

Permits

Raising a house requires permits, which typically cost between $1,200 and $2,000. Some contractors include permit fees in their project estimate, while others bill them separately. Ask your contractor upfront whether permits are included so you can account for this cost accurately in your budget.

Plumbing and Electric

A licensed plumber and electrician must disconnect all utility hookups before your house can be lifted. Electricians charge between $50 and $100 per hour, while plumbers charge between $45 and $100 per hour. If you have the skills and tools to safely handle these disconnections yourself, doing so can reduce your overall project cost.

Replacing Foundation

Replacing a damaged foundation while your home is lifted can add $20,000 to $100,000 to the total project cost, depending on square footage. This is one of the most significant cost drivers in any house-raising project. Getting a detailed foundation assessment before work begins helps you understand whether a full replacement is necessary.

Pillars

If soil or ground movement has damaged your foundation, pillars can be embedded into bedrock to stabilize and secure it. Pillar costs range from $1,400 to $2,100 each, and the number you need depends on your home's size and the extent of the damage. Installing pillars is essential to prevent the same foundation issues from recurring after the lift.

Type of Foundation

The type of foundation your home sits on directly affects how much it costs to raise, since some foundation types are significantly easier to work with than others. A home on a pier or beam foundation with a crawlspace is among the easiest to lift, which typically means less labor and a lower overall cost. Homes on slab foundations or those with more complex structural configurations generally require more work and higher labor costs.

Location

Where your home is located affects the cost to raise it, with climate and site accessibility both influencing labor rates. Homes in areas that are difficult to access or that require specialized equipment due to terrain will typically cost more to lift. Getting quotes from local house raising professionals gives you the most accurate picture of what location-specific factors will add to your project.

Cleanup

The heavy equipment, excavation, and tree relocation involved in raising a house can cause significant damage to your lawn and landscaping. Plan to set aside funds for landscaping repairs after the project is complete. Discussing cleanup expectations with your contractor before work begins helps you understand what's included in the project scope and what you'll need to arrange separately.

Labor

Labor and professional expertise are the largest cost factors in any house-raising project, requiring a coordinated team that includes an architect, a structural engineer, and several other specialists. Each professional brings a distinct role to the project, and their rates vary based on experience and local market conditions. Here's a breakdown of the professionals typically involved and what they charge:

House Raising Cost by Reason: What Drives the Total?

The reason you're raising your house is one of the biggest drivers of total project cost, whether you're relocating, mitigating flood risk, or replacing a foundation. Each scenario involves different scopes of work, permitting requirements, and professional teams. Understanding the cost range tied to your specific reason helps you set a realistic budget from the start.

Raising to Transport Your Home

Lifting and relocating a home is one of the most variable house-raising projects, with costs ranging from $15,000 to $200,000 depending on the home's dimensions, its structural fitness for transport, the distance of relocation, and the terrain along the route. You'll also need a foundation ready at the destination site before the move can be completed. The factors that influence the cost for this type of project include:

• The home's dimensions

• The home's "fitness" for transport

• Relocation distance

• Terrain and topography of the relocation route

Raising From a Flood Zone

Raising a home to reduce flood risk typically costs between $20,000 and $80,000, covering piers, posts, pilings, extensive engineering work, planning, and permits. This type of project is among the more complex house-raising scenarios due to the structural and regulatory requirements involved. Flood Mitigation Assistance grants may offset some of this cost if your property is covered by the National Flood Insurance Program.

Raising to Replace Foundation

When foundation repairs are no longer sufficient, raising your house to replace the entire foundation is the next step, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. The final price depends heavily on the type of foundation being installed and the square footage of your home. Getting a structural engineer's assessment before committing to this project helps you understand exactly what's involved and what it will cost.

Building a Basement

If you're lifting your home to add a basement, digging out a basement can cost between $10,000 and $175,000, depending on square footage, drainage and plumbing needs, and the level of finishing work involved. This wide range reflects how significantly basement complexity and finish level affect the total. Discussing your basement goals with your contractor during the house raising planning phase helps you get a more accurate combined project estimate.

House Raising Additional Costs: What Should You Budget For?

While your home is lifted, it's a practical time to address other structural improvements that would otherwise require a separate lift. Common add-ons homeowners consider during a house raising project include:

• Adding a basement

• Adding a crawl space

• Adding more structural support

• Doing foundation repairs

• Installing a new foundation

How to Save on House Lifting Costs

The cost of lifting a house has an intimidating price tag, considering the scope of the project. That being said, you may be able to save on costs by doing certain aspects of the project yourself. For instance, if you have the tools and knowledge to safely do so, you can disconnect the plumbing and electricity to save on the cost of the plumber and electrician.

Why You Should Hire a House Raising Pro

Raising a house is a complex project that should always be left to experienced pros. Experts have the equipment, tools, and expertise to safely raise your home while preventing structural problems, damage, and code violations.

For a safe, compliant project, hire a local house raising pro. While you'll incur additional labor costs, you'll have peace of mind knowing your home is protected and complies with all regulations.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a pro to raise your house

Raising a house is a project that is best left to the pros. Here's why:

• Professionals know how to safely raise your home while preventing structural damage, foundation cracks, and settling issues.

• Experienced pros have the specialized equipment and expertise needed to lift and support your home safely.

• DIY attempts can lead to costly damage, foundation issues, and structural failure.

• Experts complete the job safely and efficiently, saving you time and stress.

• Hiring a pro helps to protect your home's structural integrity and 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. 

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