Last modified: 2023-03-21 | Approximate reading time 
4 mins
The foundation is a major part of the structure of your home. It works to guarantee its stability as well as its durability. A weak foundation can lead to other weaknesses elsewhere in the building, which is usually what happens when renovations aren’t completed on time.
Cost of a Foundation Renovation Project
If you notice problems with cracks, water infiltration, or an irregularity in the basement floor, it’s imperative to take action to correct the situation. The first thing to do is to contact a building inspector, who, thanks to his expertise, will be able to concretely define the problem your foundation is encountering. Expect to pay between $300 and $800 for this type of intervention.
Foundation renovations can be expensive, especially when the situation requires heavy machinery and preliminary studies for project planning. It must be said that this type of project involves both remaining aware of the safety of the home and that of the workers who are carrying out renovations underneath it.
Repairing cracks in the foundation
The presence of cracks in the foundations is not to be taken lightly. The first thing to know is that there are two types of foundation cracks: passive cracks and active cracks. Of course, both require care to ensure the sustainability of your home. However, the passive crack means it has finished advancing and the chances of it advancing further are fairly slim. Repair is, therefore, less urgent, although still necessary.
Conversely, the active crack continues its development by wreaking havoc on the foundations and elsewhere in the structure. In this case, it’s necessary to start renovation work urgently. The difference between these two types of cracks is also in price since it will certainly cost you more to hire a contractor to take care of cracks that are at risk. In other words, the longer you wait, the more expensive the bill.
Renovating your foundations: Cost of repairing a crack
There are two other factors that can affect the price of a foundation renovation project. As you may imagine, the size of the crack is very important, and the larger the crack, the more it will cost you. Another aspect that will considerably increase or reduce your bill will be the position of the crack as the different facades of a foundation are more or less accessible depending on their situation.
If your foundation is not blocked from the inside or outside, the renovations will be relatively simple. Plan for at least $300 for a small crack and up to $1,800 for a larger crack. Another economical solution, which applies only to small cracks, is an injection with epoxy. The price of this will vary between $360 and $480 (per crack).
On the other hand, if the cracks are clearly inaccessible because they continue underground or behind a pool, then the price will be totally different. Indeed, this type of work requires additional studies as well as the intervention of specialized engineers.
And for good reason, it is a question of implementing an excavation project or raising the house if the foundations are too damaged. The cost of this type of work is around $30,000, minimum, hence the importance of repairing cracks as soon as they appear.
Renovation project: Stabilizing your foundation
If your house is old, you may experience house-settling issues. Doors and windows that open with difficulty, uneven floors or structural deformations are the precursors of sinking foundations. If this is the situation you’re in, it’s necessary to get in touch with a contractor to stabilize them.
Widespread in Canada for almost 35 years, the use of hydraulic piles for total or partial stabilization of your foundations requires the expertise of an experienced company. The procedure is simple to explain but difficult to implement as a result of the machinery used to carry it out.
In fact, the workers will make an opening at the base of the foundation to install framing hardware. Next, steel posts will pass through these openings, which will then be driven into the ground thanks to powerful hydraulic equipment. The framing hardware is finally bolted to the foundation and to the foundation base using a galvanized steel anchor. The foundations are then completely stabilized.
How much does it cost to straighten and stabilize foundations?
Although it can be quite expensive, the stabilization technique using hydraulic piles is very effective and ensures long-term efficiency. There are several factors that will determine the price you will pay, including the number of floors in your home, the depth of the rock, the type of soil and the condition of the foundation.
Allow about $18,000 for partial stabilization of the foundations and a minimum of $30,000 for total stabilization. The price will certainly increase if you add an excavation, waterproofing or foundation drainage.
Fixing basement water infiltration problems
In Canada, many people experience foundation damage caused by water infiltrations. Basements are most commonly affected by this phenomenon during bad weather or when a house is poorly maintained, hence the need to regularly inspect the components of the house. The installation of a French drain in any new home is necessary to evacuate the water present around the foundation. But over time, this system is subject to degradation, which promotes water infiltration.
Renovating your foundation: How much does it cost to install a French drain?
The price varies between $8,400 and $14,400 for the installation of a new drain or $180 to $360 per linear foot. Costs can be lowered if the drain simply needs repair or if it’s just clogged with trash or tree branches. This reminds us of the importance of maintaining all elements relating to foundations. If you plan to replace your existing French drain while waterproofing your foundations, add $105 up to $120 per linear foot.
Foundation Renovation Project: Price Chart
| Type of project | Price |
|---|---|
| Building inspection | $300 to $800 |
| Repair an easy-to-access foundation crack | $300 to $1,800 (per crack) |
| Repair a foundation crack by epoxy injection | $360 to $480 (per crack) |
| Hard-to-access foundation crack renovation | Starting at $30,000 |
| Installation of a French drain | $8,400 to $14,400 |
| Partial stabilization of the foundation | Around $18,000 |
| Total stabilization of foundations |
Starting at $30,000 |
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