What the work involves
A crew digs holes along the outside of the house at the points the inspection marked, usually where floor elevation readings came in lowest. Sometimes they also need access from inside, which means cutting through flooring and the slab in a room or two. Supports go in under the grade beam, and hydraulic jacks lift the slab a little at a time while someone watches the readings and the walls.
How high they go is a judgment call. A house that settled over many years has drywall, cabinets and pipes that adjusted to the new position, so forcing it back to the original level can crack things that weren’t cracked before. A careful crew lifts to a practical level and tells you why they stopped where they did.
Choosing the support
| Type | How it goes in | Worth asking |
|---|---|---|
| Steel push pier | Pushed down in sections using the house as the weight | How deep did each one go, and what pressure was reached? |
| Helical pier | Screwed into the ground with a hydraulic drive | Why helical instead of push piers at this spot? |
| Pressed concrete pier | Short concrete cylinders stacked under the beam | How many sections per pier, and is there a cap and shims? |
Each type shows up on Amarillo houses. A company that only installs one type may still be the right pick, but they should be able to explain why that type fits your soil.
Before you sign
Get the number of supports, their locations on a drawing, the type and the target depth in writing. Ask whether the price includes breaking and replacing concrete, landscaping repair and a plumbing check. Ask what the warranty covers and whether it transfers if you sell. If the inspection suggests water is part of the problem, see drainage correction before or with the lift.