How Much Does it Cost to Have Concrete Raised?

Are you considering raising concrete as opposed to replacing it with a new one? While it costs 50% less than rebuilding, many factors are involved in the estimation process. For example, the choice of materials, the company’s policies on minimum work, and sealant quality are the key determiners when calculating the overall cost. Fortunately, E&F Contracting Inc. announced a standardized approach to estimating the cost of raising concrete. 

Here are the key determiners to what you are more likely to pay for concrete raising. 

The Size of the Project

The size of the project has an impact on the pricing. While you are more likely to pay more for a bigger project, the cost of repair per unit is lower when the project is more extensive. The key reason for the variance is that the contracting company must bring all their state-of-the-art equipment to each project. So, more work helps the company cover transport costs and therefore charge you less per unit.

Based on this premise, raising a section of the sidewalk may cost $240 to around $460. However, when done with five more units, the homeowner may pay as low as $60 per section. So, it is cheaper to do more concrete raising for a bigger area instead of a small section. 

Also, some companies have minimum requirements on time. Regardless of the project, the standard charge starts at a specific price. This disadvantages homeowners with smaller projects. However, most companies allow neighbors to combine their projects, cutting the cost by almost half. 

The Choice of Material 

Since the different materials injected below the concrete differ in quality and durability, the cost also varies. For example, going for geotechnical polyurethane as opposed to sand and cement will cost you more. 

For normal mud jacking, a square foot may cost you between $2.5 to $6, depending on the company. The same project may cost you up to $25 if you opt for polyurethane foam. However, using the latter option is advisable, especially considering poly jacking lasts three times longer than mud jacking. 

The Sealant Quality

The main goal of the sealant is to prevent the concrete from cracks and gaps that may appear after raising it. Depending on the company, you may require to pay for a sealant in addition to the estimated cost. So, the more you pay, the more the concrete may last. Fortunately, going for the best sealant does not alter the project cost by more than 5%. 

As a homeowner, it is advisable to screen through the estimates and check the value of the sealant. If it is not included in the estimated value, request the company to have sealant in the project for quality purposes. Also, ask the company representative about the available quality options (of the sealant) and choose the option that suits your budget. 

Concrete Type

The cost of raising concrete also depends on what you want to repair. Some projects demand more labor and preparation than others. Also, a professional may recommend using a particular filling material that may be more expensive than others. 

The average price for raising a patio is different from a walkway. First, a patio has more labor demands than a walkway. For instance, raising three sections of a patio, measuring 8′ by 8′, may cost between $850 to  $1000. The same concrete size on a walkway may cost half of the same value because of fewer labor costs and cheaper filling materials. 

Labor Costs

While concrete raising is 80% mechanical, time and labor costs apply. In the assessment stage, a representative from the concrete raising company will give rough estimates on finer details such as how many days the project will last and, if applicable, the additional labor costs. 

Due to differences in each project, most companies have a customized approach to charging extra hours and extra labor costs. However, if the concrete is not severely damaged, you may not incur additional expenses in the form of extra time and specialized labor costs. 

Added Charges 

In some cases, the estimated cost may not be accurate. For example, your sidewalk may need more polyurethane than the estimated quantity. You may also make an honest error when filling the estimate form leading to discrepancies. If that happens, you may need to pay more or less of the estimated value. 

Since this is a loophole that some unprofessional companies can exploit, it is advisable to work with credible entities. For instance, a company may give you a lower estimate to win you over and cover the cost on the revised cost. Fortunately, there are many genuine cases where the project’s cost is higher than the estimated budget.