Estimate the cost of foundation repair. Pick crack injection, piering, slab-jacking, carbon-fiber, and waterproofing. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.
| Item | Quantity | Estimated range |
|---|
Got a foundation repair quote? Compare it to the planning range.
What this is: a planning-range foundation repair calculator informed by 2026 cost guides (HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor) and Foundation Repair Association of America contractor data.
Crew labor is a loaded billing rate ($80-$150/crew-hr) for foundation specialists.
Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →
| Issue | Repair | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hairline crack | Epoxy injection | $400-$1,200/crack |
| Settling foundation | Steel push piers (6-10) | $6,000-$30,000 |
| Settling foundation | Helical piers (6-10) | $9,000-$35,000 |
| Sunken slab | Mudjacking / polyjacking | $500-$1,500/spot |
| Bowed walls | Carbon-fiber + anchors | $4,000-$8,000 |
| Wet basement | Interior drainage + sump | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Wet basement | Exterior waterproofing | $5,000-$15,000+ |
Foundation repair isn't one job — the price is set entirely by the diagnosis, which is why two homes on the same street can be $1,000 apart or $25,000 apart. The cheapest fixes are cosmetic-structural (sealing a crack); the expensive ones address active settlement or water:
For a settling foundation, the two underpinning methods price differently and suit different homes:
Either way, pier count is the real cost driver — a localized corner might need 4, a full side 10+. A contractor should map the settlement before quoting a number.
A licensed structural engineer's report runs $1,176–$2,000 and is the single best money you can spend before a major repair. It sizes the fix, so you don't underpin a wall that only needed a crack sealed — or seal a crack that's actually a settling foundation. Call one before signing anything if you see: cracks wider than 1/4 inch, stair-step cracks in brick or block, doors and windows that suddenly stick, or floors that slope. Many reputable repair firms will credit an independent engineer's findings; be wary of any "free inspection" that only ever recommends its own most expensive product.
Crack injection runs $400-$1,200 per crack in 2026. Steel/helical piering for settling: $1,000-$3,500 per pier (typical 6-10 piers = $6,000-$35,000). Bowed wall reinforcement: $5,000-$15,000. Full exterior waterproofing: $5,000-$15,000+.
Signs include: cracks wider than 1/4 inch, doors/windows that stick, sloping floors, gaps at floor-wall joints, water intrusion, exterior brick step cracks, chimney separating from house. Get a structural engineer report ($500-$2,000) before paying for repair.
Steel push piers are driven hydraulically to bedrock; best for heavy structures and deep settlement. Helical piers are screwed in like a ship's prop; faster install, better for lighter loads and additions. Helical typically $300-$700 more per pier.
Usually no — homeowner policies exclude settling. Exception: damage from sudden plumbing burst or named peril.
Most pier installers offer transferable lifetime warranty. Verify it transfers to a new owner if you sell.
Minor crack repair runs $400-$1,200 per crack. Major settlement needs underpinning - 6-10 piers at $6,000-$30,000+. Bowing walls are $4,000-$8,000, and water-related fixes run $3,000-$15,000+. The diagnosis sets the price, so a structural engineer report ($1,176-$2,000) usually pays for itself.
Steel push piers are often the lower per-pier cost and suit heavier two-story or brick homes; helical piers cost a bit more but install faster and work better for lighter structures and tight-access sites. Total cost is driven mostly by how many piers the settlement requires (typically 6-10).
For anything beyond a cosmetic crack - settling, bowing walls, sloping floors, sticking doors - yes. An independent engineer report ($1,176-$2,000) sizes the repair correctly and protects you from over-selling, which on a five-figure job pays for itself.
