Foundation raising in Watertown SD - a house that sits level on a sound base
Cracked, sinking or heaving foundation? We help you decide between support and a full lift, then plan the work with you.
Does my house need to be raised, or can the foundation be fixed?
Foundation raising in Watertown, SD lifts your house so the foundation under it can be replaced, or so the house can be set higher above the flood zone on piers or pilings. It's usually the answer only when repairs to the foundation alone won't do the job.
Most people call because of what they can see, like a crack that keeps growing, a floor that slopes or a corner of the house that's dropped or heaved. Those signs don't always mean a lift, so I start by looking at what's going on underneath before anyone talks about jacks. The price moves most with what happens once the house is up, because a new foundation or a move onto piers costs more than lifting alone, and the type of foundation you have sets what replacing it runs. The schedule turns on the prep work, permits, how high the house goes, repairs, weather and inspections, and your written estimate spells out what's included for your house.
Why Watertown calls us about foundation raising
You can count on plain answers about whether your house really needs a lift, and you'll know more about your foundation when we're done than when we started.
I come out myself
I'm the one who looks at your house and writes the estimate, and I'm on the job with our crew.
Building since 2013
I started this business in 2013 to build new work the way I wished the old work had been built.
Licensed and fully insured
Ask me about our coverage at the estimate, because a lift puts your whole house in the air.
The hidden work done right
I care most about what you won't see later, like the ground under new concrete and the mix we order.
Start with a call
Call (605) 954-0565 or send the estimate form, and I'll set a time to come see your house.
Ways to handle foundation raising
A lift is a big step, so I look first at whether supporting the foundation could do the job, and at what shape the house itself is in.
What happens when you call about foundation raising in Watertown?
We plan a lift around your house and your schedule, so nothing gets a date until I've seen the site and the permits are sorted out.
You get in touch
Call or use the form and tell me what you're seeing, like cracks, a sloping floor or a corner of the house that's settled.
I look at the site
I come out myself, look over the house and the foundation, and talk through what you want and the options that fit it.
Written estimate and permits
You get a written estimate that says what's included, and we sort out permits with the right office before we set a date.
The work and the finish
Our crew does the forming, pouring and finishing with me on site, and I keep you posted and show you the base and forms before we pour.
Questions about a step? Call and talk it through.
(605) 954-0565Questions about raising a house
How much does it cost to raise a house in Watertown?
As a national average, lifting a house just to raise the structure usually costs about $10,000 to $40,000 per job across the US. That's the market's figure for the lift alone, not our price, and any foundation work under the house comes on top of it. Your written estimate shows what's in your job.
How long does a house lift take?
On average, raising a house takes 4 to 8 weeks, and the lift itself takes 2 to 7 days once the preparation is done, going by national figures. Most of that time goes to getting ready, so the day the house actually goes up is a short part of the job.
Who issues building permits in Watertown and Codington County?
Inside the city, Watertown Building Services issues building permits, and out in unincorporated Codington County, the county zoning office requires a permit before digging for construction or building or moving any building. Before we set a date, we check with the right office about your job, and we can handle the paperwork for you.
Can I stay in my home during the lift?
No, being in the house while it's being lifted isn't recommended, so plan to stay somewhere else for those days. Your furniture and everything else inside can stay right where it is.
What license does a contractor need to raise a house in South Dakota?
Anyone contracting for construction work in South Dakota has to have a state contractor's tax license. Ask any contractor you're weighing about it before you sign anything for a job this size.
How do I get my house ready to be raised?
Start with the utilities, because a plumber and an electrician will need to disconnect every hookup before the house comes up. Then line up a place to stay, and I'll go over the rest with you at the estimate.
Foundation raising and Watertown's floodplain rules
If your house sits in the city floodplain, the city adds up the value of your permits over 3 years, and once that reaches 45 percent or more of the building's value, the whole building has to meet current standards. For many houses that can mean raising it, since those standards put the top of the lowest floor and all utilities at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation, the flood height set for your area. You can check whether your lot is in it with the city's floodplain information, and before we plan any concrete under a floodplain house, we ask the city where your house stands.
We're based in Watertown and work in the cities around it, and most foundation calls we get start with an older house, a crack that's grown over the years or a floor that doesn't feel level anymore.
Talk through your foundation with Watertown Concrete
Call (605) 954-0565 or use the form, and I'll come show you what's happening under your house before you decide anything.