The foundation is one of the most essential components of a structure. Therefore, when a concrete foundation begins to fail, it’s imperative to address the issue as soon as possible. Sagging, uneven or cracked concrete is all but guaranteed to lead to other problems, including structural damage, that can easily be prevented by maintaining a level foundation.
Many homeowners at one point or another are faced with foundational issues. Despite being one of the most durable construction materials known, concrete is still subject to wear and tear, elemental damage, and impact damage. In addition, soil movement and erosion underneath the slab can cause an uneven foundation even if the concrete itself is in good health.
The Cost of Concrete Raising
As with most home improvement projects, when it comes to repairing a failed foundation, cost is usually at the forefront of considerations. There are several factors to account for when calculating concrete foundation repair costs, including the size of the affected area, the degree of damage done, and the quality of materials used.
Another crucial factor is the method used to raise and level the slab. Polyester foam jacking is sometimes viewed as the modern, state-of-the-art preferred approach to concrete raising, but it’s more expensive than mudjacking and not always necessary.
Regardless of which method you choose, concrete replacement is guaranteed to be more expensive than repair–as much as twice the cost–as it will require complete removal and replacement of the old slab. However, depending on the extent of damage to the slab, partial replacement may be needed as part of the repairs. Mudjacking is best performed on otherwise healthy slabs that are structurally intact despite being uneven.
If saving cost on your concrete project without sacrificing quality is a high priority, mudjacking is the more economical option. So, how much does mudjacking cost?
A Breakdown of Mudjacking Costs
In most instances, concrete raising with mudjacking costs only a few dollars per square foot. The biggest price factor by far is the scale of the project. Larger concrete slabs means larger voids underneath, requiring more materials and labor to complete, thereby increasing cost. In addition, the location and measurements of the slab can affect price. Hard-to-reach or otherwise inaccessible slabs may complicate the process and raise costs.
Quality Factors
Quality of materials also plays into the price of mudjacking. Mudjacking slurry is made up of a mixture of water, sand, mud, limestone, cement, and / or clay. Lower quality slurries might contain mostly mud and sand and will not be as effective as higher quality mixtures that contain binding materials such as cement. When choosing a professional concrete raising company, make sure they use only a high-quality slurry mixture that contains the proper ratio of sand, water and additives. It might cost a little more, but will be worth it in the long run.
Market Factors
Market factors such as location will also have an effect on the overall cost of mudjacking. If there is a shortage of local contractors in a particular area, additional transportation expenses will have to be taken into account to transport material from a non-local source. In addition, as with all consumer markets, competition can drive prices up or down.
Get a Few Quotes and Compare
No two mudjacking projects are the same, and with so many variable factors involved, there’s no simple or straightforward answer to how much mudjacking costs. When shopping for a mudjacking company, consider getting a few quotes and estimates from competing contractors to compare pricing. If one quote seems drastically lower than the others, beware of any hidden fees attached to it, as this is a common way less honest contractors take advantage of customers.
When it comes to mudjacking, as with so many other products and services, you really do get what you pay for. While the cost of mudjacking might motivate some homeowners to simply perform the work themselves, this is not recommended; concrete raising requires a high level of specialized skills and equipment that only a professional mudjacking service can provide.
AAA Concrete Raising has been providing mudjacking services for Denver and surrounding areas of Colorado for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on quality services at a fair price with no surprises. If you’re in the market for concrete raising and need a reliable, honest contractor who will get the job done right every time, contact us today!