House Raising 101: How to Successfully Lift Your Home – Jersey Shore

Homeowners lift their homes for many reasons: they want more space, they want to comply with flood regulations in their community, or they want to avoid further damage to their home especially those by the sea. Whatever the reason, the process of lifting a house may in many cases be more economical and convenient than selling the home, putting on an addition or shelling out big bucks for insurance premiums.

Here are some steps to a successful house raising.

1. Do your research. Call your local building authority and find out what you need to do from a permitting standpoint to raise your house. Ask questions like: Will the existing foundation be OK or will a new one need to be constructed? Are there height requirements for your community? Does your home legally conform to current laws regarding side yard set-back? Will you need a variance?
2. Find a reputable contractor for the job. Ask for word of mouth recommendations as well as professional recommendations from area building contractors. Choose a few companies to start with and ask each for a portfolio of recent projects. Ask to see those projects in person. Work on your budget so you know exactly what you can afford.
3. Get plans drawn up by your building designer or architect to illustrate the overall scope of work. Submit those plans to the local building department. This will kick off the process to obtain a permit for the job.
4. Protect yourself. Make sure your contractor is fully licensed and insured. Notify your Homeowner’s Insurance Representative about the project.
5. Get estimates in writing. From your narrowed-down list of contractors, ask each for a written estimate that includes the scope of work, cost schedules, payment schedules and contingency plans.
6. Select your contractor. Make sure he or she has specific experience with structural lifting projects. After reading the fine print of the estimate, make an educated decision on a contractor. Schedule an on-site meeting with all contractors and any subcontractors who will be working on the project. Sign any contracts, making sure you understand every line item.

Now that you’ve selected your contractor, ensure that they provide you with updates on their progress. Generally, these are the steps to a successful house lifting:

• Removal of decks, porches, walkways, steps, and staircases
• Removal of pavers and landscaping temporarily
• Provision of engineering and architectural drawings, soil samples, and site surveys
• Performance of work to the foundation, whether concrete foundations, pilings, or helical piles
• Disconnection of all utilities for safety
• Actual lifting of house with hydraulics and other state of the art equipment
• Building of new foundation
• Construction of new lower level
• Installation of hurricane straps and bracing
• Painting or siding of house
• Re-installation of all previously removed items
• Re-connection of all utilities
• Raising of HVAC equipment off the ground

To ensure a successful house raising in New Jersey, look no further than Level and Square Construction and Remodeling for fair prices and honest service.