Average Cost to Raise and Level Concrete
The greatest advantage to raising and leveling concrete with polyurethane foam compared to replacement is cost. While the price for each job varies, a good rule of thumb is that raising and leveling concrete is usually around 50%-80% less than cost of replacement! So in example a typical $4,000 concrete driveway replacement may cost around $800 – $2,000 to raise and level. Keep reading to get a better idea of what your concrete project may cost.
To give you a more realistic understanding of the average price for raising concrete here are some typical projects and average costs for each
Average Price to Raise a Driveway
Raising two 10’ x 10’ sections of driveway with polyurethane that have settled 2”inches along the garage floor would be around $750-$850.
Average Price to Raise a Patio
A common issue we see are patios sinking along the foundation causing water to drain towards the home – not good. Raising three 8’ x 8’ sections of patio along the home up 2” would cost around $850- $1,000. Along with concrete raising, there are other improvements you can do to fix-up your patio. Here is a good example of a complete patio make-over on this Twin Cities, MN concrete raising and repair project. Here is another patio raised and repaired in Minneapolis.
| Average Price to Raise a Walkway Hard to find a home without a walkway that has not settled a bit. A typical project of raising 3-4 sections of walkway leading up to the front door 2”-3” inches is around $600 -$750. Another quick and dirty way of determining a ballpark price would be to say each section of driveway or patio (assuming no more than 10′ x 10′ sections) cost around $150-$250 per inch needed to lift. Keep in mind these are just examples – every job is different and there are many factors to consider! |
The size of the slab and the amount needed to be lifted are the main factors that determine price. Since there are fixed costs to each job no matter how big it is, such as travel and set-up, larger projects will cost less per square foot than smaller ones. A single section of sidewalk may cost $250-$450 to raise. Whereas that same section may only cost $60 if it’s completed with 10 other sections. Also, the location of the raising project can affect what you pay. You may pay less if you are closer to the contractors shop or other jobs they have. Finally, the difficulty of the job will impact the price. Slabs that are hard to reach or have many cracks will take longer and cost more.
Lastly, most reputable concrete raising companies have job minimum requirements to cover travel time, set-up and clean-up. We have seen most minimums around $650 -$950. So if you have a small job such as a single walkway section to raise it will typically cost you what the minimum is, unless you can bundle your job with a neighbor.
What to Consider When Comparing Concrete Leveling Quotes
Material
Be skeptical of contractors who don’t specify the type of material they will be injecting below the concrete or are very vague about it. Materials such as sand, cement, and limestone will reduce the cost of the job but the repair may not last long. Ensure that only geotechnical polyurethane specifically engineered for raising concrete is being used. Anyone who tries to sell anything else and claims it’s the best is either misinformed or being dishonest. Read more about why polyurethane is the best here: polyurethane vs mudjacking
Overage Fees and Price per Pound
Some concrete leveling companies will charge additional fees if the project requires more polyurethane than what was estimated. There is nothing wrong with this practice assuming the company was realistic with the original estimate and the additional fees are fair. Unfortunately that’s not always the case and some companies attract customers with low estimates and later charge excessive amounts based on “extra material” that was needed. A $600 patio leveling project can turn into a $900 project to complete.
Warranty
It can be tempting to save a few bucks and go with the lowest quote on a concrete leveling project. However, if the company doing the work only offers a 1-2 year warranty or no warranty at all, those savings will be short-lived if the work will need to be redone a few years later. Make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions of the warranty to ensure your investment will last.
Crack & Joint Repairs
To prevent your concrete from settling again, the cracks and gaps around the raised sections need to be sealed with a high quality sealant. Crack and Joint repair is typically not included as part of the standard raising process. Never assume it’s part of the job. If it’s not listed, it’s most likely not included. Learn more about crack and joint repair.
Why is raising concrete so much cheaper than replacing it?
- Time: The biggest reason replacement costs more than raising is the amount of time it takes to remove and replace concrete. A typical replacement of a driveway requires a minimum of four visits. First to give the estimate, second to demo and set forms, third to pour and finish the concrete and finally fourth to remove forms and clean the site. This is really true for any concrete project. Also, travel time, set-up and clean-up is the same for a small sidewalk or large driveway. Whereas raising and lifting concrete, whether its mudjacking or poly lifting will usually just take two visits – the estimate and the work.
- Material: Concrete contractors are charged a minimum load fee when they are not ordering more than a certain amount of concrete. So replacing a small section of concrete will include those fees. Concrete raising material on the other hand is not perishable and is brought to the job site by the raising contractor. No minimum order fees and no waste is generated.
- Labor: Concrete construction is heavy work and requires skilled labor. These professionals are paid well for their skills. Also, pouring concrete is never a one or two man job. It takes a good crew to do it right. Raising concrete can be done with two and sometimes even one person.
How To Save Money On Your Concrete Raising Work
Like all things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to home repair. Be skeptical of very low estimates. Good work ain’t cheap and a professional concrete raising contractor with a solid track record, skilled employees, high quality materials and the proper insurance will usually not be the lowest price in town. With that being said, there are ways to save money on your next concrete raising and lifting project. The easiest way is to try to get work done together with your neighbors. Contractors love not having to travel to the next job and they may offer a group discount. Also, if you only have a small section to be raised, you may want to include other sunken sections around your home. Lastly, being flexible with when you need it done may help with getting a lower rate.
