Pier and beam house raising

Pier-and-beam homes, including the older raised cottages and camp-style houses common around Slidell, Lacombe and along the bayous, are the most straightforward type of home to elevate. The floor framing already sits on piers above the ground, so lifting beams can be slid underneath with minimal digging.

How the lift works

The crew sets main steel beams under the floor system, with cross beams to spread the load, and connects them to a unified hydraulic jacking system. The house is raised evenly in small increments and supported on temporary cribbing as it goes up. Once it reaches the target height, permanent supports are built underneath.

Foundation options at the new height

• Masonry piers on new footings. Common for moderate lifts on stable soil.
• Reinforced concrete piers. Used where more strength or height is needed.
• Driven timber or concrete pilings. Often required in higher-risk flood zones or poor soils, and standard for many coastal and lakeside lots.

The engineer specifies the foundation based on height, soil and wind requirements, and the parish or city inspects it before the house is set down.

Fix what’s underneath while it’s up

Because the whole underside of the house is exposed during a raise, it is the best time to:

• Replace rotted sills, joists or girders
• Correct sagging or out-of-level floors
• Replace old plumbing and drain lines under the house
• Add insulation and a vapor barrier to the floor system

Ask for these items to be priced separately so you can decide what to include. If your home only needs leveling and not more height, see house leveling.