Foundation raising in Bozeman MT - the whole house lifted evenly, every corner together

Cracked or failing foundation under your house, or a home that sits too low? We lift it evenly so a new foundation can go in.

Raising a house means lifting it off its old foundation so a new one can be built beneath, then setting it back down. We plan every step before any equipment arrives and walk you through each one, from the first visit to the cleanup.

Freshly poured concrete driveway cordoned off with caution tape between two houses.
  • Licensed and insured.
  • Free quotes on site.
  • We reply within 1 business day.

A level house on a solid new foundation

  • The owner on your job

    I look over your house, write the estimate myself and then work on the crew that does the lift.

  • Licensed and insured

    We carry licensing and insurance for this work, and we're glad to show them before you sign anything.

What does foundation raising involve in Bozeman?

Foundation raising in Bozeman means lifting your house off its old foundation so a new one can be built underneath, and owners usually do it to fix structural problems, move the home or keep it out of flood water. The first step is a structural engineer's assessment, because that's the only way to know whether your house can be raised at all, and I won't plan a lift until we have it. The price turns mainly on the type of foundation you have, while the schedule depends on the preparation, how high the house goes, repairs we find once it's open, the weather, permits and inspections. My written estimate lays out what your price covers. The city of Bozeman issues building permits so work can be tracked and inspected, and its inspectors have to see anything before it's covered up, so before we start we check permit questions with the office that covers your address and help you through the paperwork.

Ways foundation raising works for Bozeman homes

  • Replacing a failed foundation

    When the foundation under your house has cracked or settled past saving, we lift the house, take the old foundation out and build a new one in its place. If old slabs or walls are in the way, our concrete cutting work clears them neatly.

    Schedule an estimate
  • Footings built to Bozeman's rules

    A new foundation here has to set its footings, the concrete base the walls sit on, at least as deep as the city's frost depth, and deeper for a two-story house than a one-story. The city also asks for a study of your lot's ground with the permit application, and a final report before the footing inspection.

    Schedule an estimate
  • Raising a house above flood risk

    Some owners raise a house to keep flood water out rather than to fix the foundation. If you're near Bozeman Creek or its tributaries, a 2021 flood study brought new flood maps for that area, so it's worth seeing where your lot sits on them before you settle on a plan.

    Schedule an estimate
  • Repairing with piles instead

    Not every tired foundation needs to be replaced. One pile maker's design manual says helical piles, steel shafts screwed into the ground, can add support to or replace a foundation that has settled, cracked or heaved, so it's a fair question to put to your engineer before deciding on a full lift.

    Schedule an estimate

What signs tell you a house may need raising?

  • Cracks in the foundation

    Cracks you can see in the concrete around the base of the house, especially ones that widen or keep getting longer, usually mean the foundation has moved under it.

  • Floors that slope or dip

    A marble that rolls across the room, or a floor that dips near one wall, often means part of the house has settled lower than the rest.

  • Doors and windows that stick

    When doors that used to close fine start rubbing, or windows bind in their frames, the house has usually shifted enough to pull those openings out of square.

  • Water near or under the house

    Water that pools against the foundation or gets into the crawlspace in heavy rain or spring melt can mean the house sits too low for the ground around it.

How foundation raising runs, from call to cleanup

  1. You call or send a message

    • Call (406) 536-3025 or use the form
    • We get back to set a time
    • Tell us what you've noticed
    • Share any engineer's report you have
  2. I visit and write the estimate

    • I walk the house with you
    • I look at the crawlspace or basement
    • I ask how you'll use the house
    • Written estimate says what's included
  3. We prepare and raise the house

    • Permit questions settled before work starts
    • We walk you through getting ready
    • Pour date chosen to suit the concrete
    • We keep you posted along the way
  4. The finish and walk-through

    • House set down on its new foundation
    • Site cleaned up before we leave
    • We walk the finished work together
    • Your satisfaction, guaranteed

Ask for a free foundation raising estimate

Tell us how many stories your house has and its foundation type, since both shape the job. We reply within one business day, and the on-site estimate is free with no pressure to book.

Questions about raising a house

Here are the answers to what Bozeman homeowners ask most about raising a house. If yours isn't here, please call (406) 536-3025, and thank you for asking.

How much does it cost to raise a house and replace the foundation?

Across the US, lifting a house and replacing the foundation usually costs about $20,000 to $100,000 per job. That's a national figure, not our price, and the range is wide because houses and foundations differ so much. Your own number comes from the walk-through, where I write down exactly what the price covers.

How long does it take to raise a house in Bozeman?

Nationally, the whole process of raising a house averages 4 to 8 weeks, and the lift itself takes 2 to 7 days once the preparation is done. So plan on weeks of work around your home but only a few days of actual lifting.

Can we stay in the house while it's being raised?

No, living in or even being inside the house during the lift isn't recommended. Your furniture and belongings can stay right where they are, though, so you're arranging a place to stay for those days rather than packing up the house.

How do I get my house ready to be lifted?

You'll need to empty the crawlspace or basement and have every utility disconnected before the lift. A plumber takes out the pipes and ductwork below the floor joists, the beams that hold up your floor, and an electrician tacks up or removes the wiring under the house, and we walk you through the order.

Will raising my house crack the walls and tile inside?

Usually not, as long as every corner of the house rises together, which one lifting-equipment maker calls the standard for a full-house lift. Plaster, drywall, masonry and tile crack when one corner gets ahead of the others, so we plan our lifts to bring the whole house up together.

Does a contractor need a license to raise a house in Montana?

Yes, Montana now requires every construction contractor to be licensed with the state Department of Labor & Industry. You can check any contractor's license, ours included, through the state's Licensee Lookup System, which you'll find from the state's contractor licensing page.

Other work around your foundation

  • Service

    Concrete cutting

    When an old slab, wall or step is in the way of a new foundation, careful cutting takes it out without breaking up the concrete you're keeping.

    Read more Concrete cutting
  • Service

    Concrete footings

    A new foundation starts with footings set deep enough for Bozeman's frost rules, and we also pour footings for additions, garages and decks around the house.

    Read more Concrete footings
  • Service

    Concrete driveway building

    Equipment and digging during a lift can leave the driveway rough, so some owners have a new concrete driveway poured once the house is back down.

    Read more Concrete driveway building

Get a free estimate for raising your house

Request an estimate

Serving Bozeman and nearby cities

We're based in Bozeman and also work in Belgrade, Livingston and other cities nearby. Choose your area below, or please call if yours isn't listed.

Call (406) 536-3025