Foundation raising in Waldorf MD - your house set higher on a sound new base
Worried about flooding, or need a new foundation under your house? We plan the lift around how your house is built and its condition.
Foundation raising for Waldorf homes
Foundation raising in Waldorf means lifting the whole house so it can sit higher on piers or pilings, or so a new foundation can go in under it. Charles County says its elevation and closeness to water leave it open to flooding from heavy rain, hurricanes and high tide, and that's the usual reason people here call about it.
The price depends on how the house is built, its condition and what it sets down on. The schedule depends on prep, permits, repairs and weather. Your estimate lays out each of those for your house.
What foundation raising involves
Raising a house is more than the lift itself, and these are the parts of the work that happen before and after it.
Clearing below
You empty the crawlspace or basement before the lift, but what's in the rooms above can stay in place, so there's no packing up the whole house.
Steps and porches
Steps, porches and decks that won't go up with the house come off first. Where a concrete stoop or slab is tied in, concrete cutting frees it cleanly.
Utilities
Every utility gets disconnected, and the pipes, ducts and wiring under the floor are freed or tacked up. You mark wells, septic and sprinklers, and utility companies mark buried lines.
New foundation
With the house up, the old foundation can be replaced or the house set on piers or pilings. That's concrete work, and how the ground is prepared decides how it holds up.
Around the house
A higher house changes how steps, walks and the drive meet it, so we can rebuild those afterward, including a new concrete driveway sloped to carry water away.
Tell us about your house
Send your address, house type, foundation type and any Elevation Certificate you have. We reply within one business day to set up a free, no-obligation estimate at your house.
(240) 213-7379How we plan a house lift
I started this business in Waldorf in 2013 after years of fixing failed concrete for a property manager, and that work taught me to plan from the ground up.
- Structure checked first. Before the lift plan is set, we want a structural engineer or experienced house mover to check for rotted sills or failing framing.
- I see every house myself. I come out to look at every job myself and write the estimate, and then our crew does the work.
- Your side of the prep. We walk you through the prep on your side, so the crawlspace is clear and the utilities are handled before lift day.
- Fully licensed and insured. We're fully licensed and insured, and that matters on a job that holds a whole house up off its foundation.
- Start with a visit. Call (240) 213-7379 or use the form on this page, and I'll set a time to come see the house.
Where Advantage Waldorf Concrete works
Advantage Waldorf Concrete is based in Waldorf and works in La Plata, Clinton and other cities nearby. If your city isn't listed, call us and ask.
From first call to finish
I come out first and write the estimate myself, so you hear the plan and the reasons for it from the person who checks the work.
The visit
I come out, measure, take photos and ask how you use the house and what you want from the lift. I'll also go over who should look at the structure before anything gets planned.
The estimate
You get a written estimate that lists what's in it and what isn't. Before we set a date, we check with the county about what your address needs, handle our side of the permits and get utilities marked.
Work and walk-through
Our crew does the work, and I check the base, slope and forms before the truck shows up. After that, I walk it with you and cover care through its first winter. Satisfaction guaranteed on every job.
Questions about raising a house in Waldorf
How much does it cost to raise a house in Waldorf?
Across the US, raising a house to lift the structure only usually costs about $10,000 to $40,000 per job. That's a national figure for the lift alone, not our price. Going onto piers or pilings, a new foundation or a basement usually costs more, and your written estimate shows what's included in yours.
Can a brick house be lifted?
Yes, most houses can be lifted, brick included. Brick, stone and other masonry homes need more support points, careful load planning and often bracing inside. Wood-framed houses usually suit a lift better, so if yours is masonry, expect a more involved plan.
How long does a house lift take?
A national cost guide says the whole process takes 4 to 8 weeks on average, and the lift itself takes 2 to 7 days once prep is done. Beyond prep, permits and weather, the foundation type, the lift height and inspections also affect that schedule.
How do I know if I need a permit to raise my house in Charles County?
Find out first whether your house is in the county's mapped floodplain, since the county requires a building permit for all development there. A house that must be elevated also needs an Elevation Certificate from a licensed engineer or surveyor. That certificate records ground and floor heights, and you arrange it. The county's Division of Planning answers floodplain questions.
Does a contractor need a license to raise a house in Maryland?
Yes, when the work counts as home improvement, and Maryland counts altering, repairing or replacing a home or any part of it. Only contractors licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission may sign home improvement contracts with homeowners.
Plan the work on your Waldorf home
Engineering, permits and utility marking take time, so call (240) 213-7379 with your address and we'll set a time to look.