If your home is vulnerable to flooding, sits below the recommended elevation, or needs to be raised to protect it from future water damage, house lifting may be one of the most important improvements you can make to your property.
For homeowners in Louisiana, elevation isn’t simply about moving a structure higher. It can be part of a long-term strategy to protect a home, reduce its exposure to flooding, preserve the structure, and prepare the property for future storms and changing flood requirements.
But lifting a house is a major construction project, and homeowners understandably have questions.
How does house lifting work? How much does house lifting cost? How do you choose a qualified house lifting contractor? Can an existing home really be lifted without rebuilding it?
This guide explains what homeowners should know before beginning a home lifting project.
What Is House Lifting?
House lifting is the process of temporarily raising an existing home from its current foundation so that the structure can be elevated to a higher level.
Rather than demolishing the house and constructing a new one, a professional house lifting company carefully supports and raises the existing structure.
Depending on the project, a new or extended foundation can then be constructed underneath the elevated home.
House lifting may be performed for several reasons, including:
- Reducing a home’s vulnerability to flooding
- Elevating a structure in a flood-prone area
- Raising a home following previous flood damage
- Bringing a property closer to current elevation requirements
- Creating additional clearance beneath a home
- Replacing or modifying an existing foundation
- Protecting a home from future storm and water-related risks
Because every structure and property is different, the exact process should be determined by experienced house lifting contractors after evaluating the home.
How Does Lifting a House Work?
One of the most common misconceptions about lifting a house is that the structure is simply picked up all at once.
In reality, professional house lifting is a carefully planned process.
1. The Home and Property Are Evaluated
Before work begins, the house must be evaluated to determine factors such as its construction, foundation, access, existing elevation and site conditions.
A house lift contractor also needs to understand what will happen underneath the structure once it has been raised.
Every house is different. A wood-frame home on piers, for example, may require a different lifting strategy than another type of structure.
2. The Structure Is Prepared
The home must be properly prepared before lifting begins.
Utilities and other components connected to the house may need to be addressed as part of the project. The lifting team then establishes the support system necessary to safely carry the weight of the structure.
3. Structural Support Is Installed
Heavy structural beams and specialized lifting equipment are positioned to support the house.
The objective is to distribute the weight of the structure properly while it is being raised.
This is one of the reasons homeowners should work with an experienced house lifting contractor rather than treating elevation as an ordinary remodeling project.
4. The House Is Gradually Raised
The structure is raised in a controlled manner using specialized equipment.
Professional house lifting services are designed to keep the structure supported throughout the process while the home is moved to the required elevation.
The house is not simply lifted quickly from one position to another. The process requires careful coordination and monitoring.
5. Foundation Work Is Completed
Once the house reaches its planned elevation, work can be performed beneath it.
Depending on the project, this may involve modifying, extending or constructing the home’s permanent foundation and support system.
6. The Home Is Permanently Secured
After the permanent support system is complete, the home is carefully transferred onto it.
The temporary lifting equipment can then be removed and the remaining portions of the project completed.
Why Do Louisiana Homeowners Lift Their Houses?
Louisiana’s relationship with water makes home lifting particularly relevant.
Many communities throughout South Louisiana have experienced hurricanes, storm surge, heavy rainfall and repetitive flooding. A home that survived previous storms may still remain vulnerable to future flooding.
Elevating an existing house can allow homeowners to protect the structure they already own rather than abandoning or completely rebuilding it.
For some homeowners, the decision follows a flood.
For others, it is preventative.
A homeowner may decide that repeatedly repairing a vulnerable property isn’t a sustainable long-term solution. Raising the house can become part of a larger strategy for making the property more resilient.
House Lifting vs. Home Elevation: What’s the Difference?
You’ll often hear the terms house lifting, home lifting and home elevation used interchangeably.
They’re closely related.
House lifting generally refers to the physical process of raising the structure.
Home elevation describes the broader project of permanently positioning the home at a higher elevation.
In other words, lifting is typically a critical part of an elevation project.
A homeowner searching for a house lifting company may ultimately need a contractor capable of managing the complete elevation process rather than simply raising the structure.
How Much Does House Lifting Cost?
Naturally, one of the first questions homeowners ask is:
What is the house lifting cost?
There isn’t one universal price for lifting a home.
The cost can vary significantly because house lifting is highly dependent on the individual property.
Factors that may influence house lifting cost include:
Size of the Home
Larger structures generally require more equipment, support and labor.
Type of Construction
The home’s framing, weight and structural characteristics affect how the building must be supported and lifted.
Existing Foundation
A house built on piers may present a very different project from a structure sitting on another type of foundation.
Desired Elevation
How far the home needs to be raised can affect the scope of the project.
Site Accessibility
Contractors need sufficient access for equipment, materials and crews.
Tight properties or unusual site conditions can make the project more complex.
Foundation Work
The work required beneath the elevated structure can represent a substantial portion of the overall project.
Engineering and Permitting Requirements
Depending on the property and jurisdiction, engineering, permitting and other professional requirements may also be part of the project.
For these reasons, homeowners should be cautious about relying on a generic online house lifting cost estimate.
The most useful estimate comes from evaluating the actual property and determining the complete scope of work.
Can Grants or Funding Help Pay for House Lifting?
In some circumstances, homeowners may pursue grant-funded home elevation projects or other programs intended to reduce flood risk.
Availability and eligibility can vary considerably depending on the program, property, municipality and funding source.
If you are considering a grant-funded project, it is important to work with a house lifting contractor who understands that these projects may involve additional documentation, specifications and administrative requirements.
Homeowners should verify the requirements of their particular funding program before assuming that a project or contractor qualifies.
How Do You Choose a House Lifting Contractor?
Choosing the right house lifting contractor is one of the most important decisions in the entire project.
This isn’t the same as hiring someone to remodel a bathroom or replace flooring.
You’re hiring a company to temporarily support and raise your home.
When comparing house lifting contractors, homeowners should look beyond price alone.
Ask about experience specifically related to house lifting and home elevation. Find out whether the company is properly licensed and insured for the work it performs. Discuss how the lifting process will be handled and what portions of the overall project the company manages.
A reputable contractor should also be willing to evaluate your individual property before giving you definitive answers about the scope of the project.
Questions to Ask a House Lifting Company
Before choosing a house lifting company, consider asking:
- How much experience do you have lifting houses?
- Have you completed projects similar to my home?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- What does your house lifting process involve?
- Who handles the foundation work?
- How will my home be supported during the lift?
- What preparation is required before lifting begins?
- How high does my home need to be elevated?
- What factors could change the final project cost?
- Do you work with grant-funded elevation projects?
- What should I expect during construction?
The answers can help you distinguish between a general contractor and a company with relevant house lifting servicesand elevation experience.
Is House Lifting Safe?
When properly planned and performed by qualified professionals, existing homes can be lifted and permanently elevated.
However, this is specialized structural work.
The weight of the house must remain properly supported throughout the lift, and the process must account for the characteristics of the individual structure.
That’s why the experience of the house lift contractor matters.
The goal isn’t simply to get the house higher. The goal is to lift it in a controlled manner and ultimately place it onto a permanent support system designed for the elevated structure.
Can You Lift an Existing House Without Tearing It Down?
Yes. That’s one of the primary purposes of home lifting.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that an existing structure can potentially be raised while preserving the house itself.
This can be especially meaningful for homeowners who have lived in a property for decades or own a home with architectural, financial or sentimental value.
Instead of demolishing the structure because it sits too low, elevation may provide another option.
Whether a particular home is a good candidate for lifting depends on its condition, construction and other site-specific factors.
How Long Does House Lifting Take?
There is no single timeline that applies to every project.
The physical lift itself represents only one portion of the overall process.
A complete project may involve planning, engineering, permitting, preparation, utility coordination, lifting, foundation construction and final completion work.
Weather, inspections, property conditions and the complexity of the foundation can also affect the schedule.
When speaking with a house lifting company, ask about the entire project timeline rather than only how long it takes to physically raise the house.
House Lifting for Flood Protection
For many Louisiana homeowners, the primary reason for lifting a home is simple: water.
Flooding can cause enormous damage to flooring, walls, electrical systems, HVAC equipment, furniture and the structural components of a home.
And repairing the property after one flood doesn’t necessarily eliminate the risk of another.
Elevation takes a different approach.
Instead of continually repairing damage at the same elevation, the structure itself is raised.
No construction project can eliminate every possible risk, but properly elevating a home can be an important part of a property’s flood-mitigation strategy.
When Should You Consider Home Lifting?
It may be worth speaking with a professional house lifting contractor if:
Your home has flooded previously.
Your property is located in an area with significant flood exposure.
You’re investigating a grant or elevation assistance program.
You want to preserve your existing home rather than demolish it.
You’re considering major foundation work and want to understand whether elevation should be incorporated into the project.
Or you simply want to understand what options exist for making your home more resilient.
An evaluation doesn’t mean you’ve committed to lifting the house. It gives you the information needed to understand what’s possible.
House Lifting Is More Than Raising a Building
The best way to think about house lifting services is not simply as moving a building several feet upward.
It’s a structural project that requires planning before, during and after the lift.
The contractor must consider the existing house, temporary support system, target elevation, permanent foundation and the property’s unique conditions.
That’s why choosing a company with relevant lifting and elevation experience is so important.
Looking for a House Lifting Company in Louisiana?
If you’re considering lifting a house in Louisiana, Rise Home Elevation can help you understand your options.
Whether you’re researching house lifting cost, looking for an experienced house lifting contractor, exploring flood mitigation, or considering a grant-funded elevation project, the first step is evaluating the property and determining what the project will actually require.
Every home is different. Your elevation plan should be too.
Contact Rise Home Elevation to discuss your home, your elevation needs and the next steps for your property.