Foundation Piering & Underpinning

When a house settles because the soil near the surface cannot carry its weight, the most reliable fix is to transfer that weight deeper. Foundation piers, also called underpinning, are driven or screwed into the ground below the footing until they reach stronger soil or rock. The house is then supported on the piers and can often be lifted back toward level.

Types of foundation piers

• Steel push piers are hydraulically driven using the weight of the house until they reach a load-bearing layer.
• Helical piers are screwed into the soil like a large screw and work well for lighter structures and new loads such as porches and additions.
• Pressed concrete piers are stacked concrete cylinders pushed into the ground, common on slab homes in Texas.
• Poured concrete piers are drilled and filled with reinforced concrete.

Typical piering costs

Pier type	Typical range*
Pressed concrete piers	$800 – $1,500 per pier
Steel push piers	$1,000 – $3,000 per pier
Helical piers	$1,500 – $3,500 per pier
Typical home (8–10 piers)	$8,000 – $30,000

*General US ranges for orientation only, not quotes. Local contractors set their own prices after inspecting your home.

How many piers will I need?

It depends on how much of the house has settled, the weight of the structure and the soil. Piers are usually spaced several feet apart along the settling section of the foundation. A small corner may need only a few, while a home that has settled along a whole side may need many more. The contractor’s inspection and, for larger jobs, an engineer’s report determine the plan.

Piers stop further settlement, but they do not change the soil itself. Good drainage, working gutters and consistent soil moisture help protect the rest of the foundation.