Underpinning is the extension of the existing foundation down to competent bearing material, which is material that will support the weight of the house and foundation without settling. Techniques include installing reinforced concrete piers, driven steel piles or push piles, hand-dug pits, helical anchors or self-drilling anchors.
Underpinning helps stabilize the foundation, and is often necessary as first step to a major home remodel.

Underpinning is often an excellent solution to level floors, stop the foundation from moving, lift the home close to it’s orginal position, and greatly increase the value of your home.

RWR uses portable equipment during installation, with minimal disruption to your home and surrounding area.

Schedule a free inspection with one of our professional consultants, and get our recommendations for your situation.

Here is an example estimate from RWR, so you can get an idea of the detail and professionalism you can expect from our team of specialists.

This estimate is for mere reference and illustration only, based on Structural Shoring skims used in the past by contractor in similar job site situations/conditions and is subject to the revision and stamped approval of a Structural shoring engineer (Allowance has been provided below). Our price includes all labor and material to complete the work as per the itemized “Scope of Work” below.

Scope of Work
• Mobilize all necessary equipment and manpower to jobsite.
• Confirm Layout with General Contractor (Layout by General Contractor).
• Operations’ safety and on site supervision.
• Clean up related construction debris, staged materials and demobilize equipment.

Underpinning Excavation
• Excavate and dispose of soil in sequence for three new underpinning piers (two at 4.5ft long by 5 ft. deep by 2.5 ft wide maximum and one at 4.5 ft. long by 4 ft. deep by 2.5 ft wide maximum)
• All soil to be off-hauled from site.

Underpinning Reinforced Concrete
• In sequence place reinforcing steel, form and pour concrete for three new underpinning piers (two at 4.5ft long by 5 ft. deep by 2.5 ft wide maximum and one at 4.5 ft. long by 4 ft. deep by 2.5 ft wide maximum) as per plans.
• Preload and Drypack (if necessary or called by the engineer).

Unit Prices
• Additional Underpinning Haunch Installation Depth – add cost per ft. depth

Exclusions
• Cost of plans, permits, bonds, testing and inspections.
• Increased cost of drilling and excavation due to hard rock, underground water or caving soils. (Hard rock drilling is defined as a penetration rate slower than 1 ft. in 5 minutes or the use of a core barrel.) (See Attached drilling conditions) (Hard rock excavation is defined as material that cannot be excavated with a standard backhoe or excavator bucket, or if excavating by hand, material that cannot be excavated without a pneumatically powered jackhammer.)
• Any work on utilities including buried pipes.
• Layout of hubs and elevations.
• Carpentry/woodwork.
• Repair/replacement of damaged landscaping or hardscaping including and not limited to concrete sidewalks and asphalt street paving.