REPAIR METHODSRepair methods

Piering and slabjacking both deal with a foundation that has dropped — but they work in completely different ways and cost very different amounts.

Piering / underpinning

Piers (push piers or helical piers) are driven deep into stable soil or bedrock, then the foundation is transferred onto them and lifted back toward level. This is the fix for structural settlement of the foundation itself. It runs about $1,300–$3,000 per pier, and most homes need several.

Slabjacking / mudjacking / polyjacking

Slabjacking pumps a grout or polyurethane foam under a sunken concrete slab to float it back up. It's for concrete flatwork — driveways, patios, garage and basement slabs — that has settled, not for the structural foundation. It's much cheaper, around $600–$1,800 for a typical section.

Which one do you need?

HOUSE FOUNDATION SETTLINGPiering
SUNKEN SLAB / DRIVEWAY / PATIOSlabjacking
BOWING BASEMENT WALLNeither — wall anchors / carbon fiber

An engineer's diagnosis tells you which problem you actually have. Price either one with the repair cost calculator.

THE SOURCE

Per-unit ranges follow national aggregator data. See our methodology.