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Most single-story homes don't have foundations strong enough to support a second story, but they can be reinforced for an addition. A structural engineer can assess your foundation and what needs to be done to get it ready. They'll look at any cracks or unevenness in your current foundation and consider any special framing or beams your home needs, especially if it’s in a high-wind or hurricane area.

“To support a second story, many structural engineers will require that you install additional concrete piers in the crawlspace,” says Tschudi. “This involves hand excavating, pouring a large concrete footing—usually with specially coated rebar—and then building concrete piers right up to the girders.”

Yes, all basement floors crack in response to the natural settlement of the soil around them and from concrete shrinkage as it cures, and you’ll see hairline cracks as a result. However, you should keep an eye on your basement floor to see if cracks continue to lengthen or widen or show signs of water intrusion. In any of these cases, the problem is likely not settling or shrinkage, and a professional repair is necessary.

Foundation repairs cost about $5,000, on average. Typically, prices range from $2,200 to $7,800, depending on the type and extent of repairs needed. Cost factors include foundation type, home size, soil stability, accessibility, and the ultimate cause of the problem and what methods and materials are required to fix it.

The actual foundation repair costs will depend on the extent of the damage, how many blocks you need, labor costs, and material costs. As an estimate, the average repair costs for a cinder block foundation fall between $350 and $25,000. Because the range is so large, it’s important to call a professional foundation repair company and have them assess the damage and estimate the repair costs.