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Sinking Foundation Repair Cost Calculator (2026)
Enter how much of the foundation is sinking. We work out how many piers it needs and price the job for 2026.
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Steel push piers | $8,500 |
| Structural engineer report | $800 |
| Permit | $250 |
Installed prices including labor and materials. Your quotes can differ with site conditions.
Have a quote? Check your price per pier →
Sinking foundation repair cost by section length
Includes an engineer’s report and permit.
| Sinking section | Push piers | Helical piers |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft (3 piers) | $3,600 – $11,100 | $5,100 – $14,100 |
| 24 ft (5 piers) | $5,600 – $17,100 | $8,100 – $22,100 |
| 40 ft (8 piers) | $8,600 – $26,100 | $12,600 – $34,100 |
| 60 ft (11 piers) | $11,600 – $35,100 | $17,100 – $46,100 |
| 100 ft (18 piers) | $18,600 – $56,100 | $27,600 – $74,100 |
Example jobs
| Job | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| One sinking corner (12 ft) | $3,600 – $11,100 | $6,150 |
| Garage side of the house (24 ft) + drainage fix | $5,900 – $19,600 | $10,600 |
| Back wall (40 ft) + plumbing test + cosmetic repairs | $9,300 – $30,800 | $16,600 |
| Addition settling away from house (20 ft, helical) | $8,100 – $22,100 | $12,600 |
Signs your foundation is sinking
- Stair-step cracks in brick or block, wider at one end
- Diagonal drywall cracks at the corners of doors and windows
- Doors and windows that stick, or gaps at the top of door frames
- Floors that slope toward one side of the house
- A chimney, porch, or addition pulling away from the house
- Gaps between exterior brick and window frames
How piering works
Crews dig small holes along the settling section, attach steel brackets to the footing, and drive piers down until they reach load-bearing soil or rock, often 15–30 feet deep. Hydraulic jacks then transfer the weight of the house to the piers and lift the foundation. The holes are backfilled, so there is little visible afterward.
Price per pier matters most. Divide any quote by the number of piers and compare it with typical prices. Ask how deep each pier is guaranteed to go, and what extra depth costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix a sinking foundation?
Piering a 24-foot sinking section takes about 5 piers and costs roughly $5,600 – $17,100 with an engineer and permit. A single sinking corner is often under $10,000, while piering most of the house can pass $40,000.
Why is my foundation sinking?
The most common causes are soil that shrinks as it dries (expansive clay, often worse near large trees), soil softened by poor drainage or plumbing leaks, and loose fill soil that was not compacted when the house was built.
Can a sinking foundation be lifted back to level?
Often partly. Piers are driven to stable soil and hydraulic jacks lift the foundation toward its original position. Contractors aim for the most lift possible without cracking the structure, which is sometimes less than full level.
Push piers or helical piers?
Push piers use the weight of the house to drive steel pipe down to rock or firm soil, and they suit heavier homes. Helical piers are screwed in and do not need building weight, so they work for lighter structures such as additions, porches, and one-story homes.
Will my insurance pay for a sinking foundation?
Rarely. Settlement and soil movement are standard exclusions. Exceptions include damage caused by a covered plumbing leak, and sinkhole coverage in states such as Florida and Tennessee.