Salt Lake City Foundation Experts
Piering and Underpinning in Salt Lake City, UT
Push pier and helical pier underpinning in Salt Lake City to stop foundation settling, with free estimates and permit handling included.
Serving Salt Lake City and nearby communities.
When a foundation keeps settling instead of just cracking at the surface, the fix usually isn't more patching, it's underpinning. Salt Lake City Foundation Experts installs steel push piers and helical piers to carry a settling foundation down to load-bearing soil or bedrock, stopping the movement at the source rather than covering it up.
Salt Lake Valley has a mix of bench soil and softer valley-floor sediment, and which pier type we recommend depends on which one your home sits on. Bench-area homes often need piers driven deeper to reach stable strata, while valley-floor properties sometimes do well with helical piers that thread into looser, sandier ground.
What's included
What's included
Typically included: foundation and soil assessment, pier type recommendation, access excavation, pier driving to bearing strata, bracket installation, and lift verification.
Optional: full perimeter underpinning versus spot repair at specific settlement points, and post-installation monitoring visits.
Customer prep: clear access around the foundation perimeter and removal of landscaping or stored items near excavation points.
Want a clearer scope?
Get a Free EstimateHow it works
How our Piering and Underpinning process works
Step 1Load Assessment
The structure's weight distribution is analyzed to determine pier placement.
Step 2Access Excavation
Small excavation points are created along the foundation perimeter.
Step 3Pier Driving
Piers are driven or screwed into the ground until reaching stable strata.
Step 4Load Transfer
Brackets connect the piers to the foundation to redistribute structural weight.
Step 5Leveling Adjustment
Hydraulic equipment carefully raises the foundation to its intended position.
Step 6Site Restoration
Excavated areas are backfilled and compacted to match the original grade.
Materials
Materials and methods for Piering and Underpinning
Pier selection comes down to what's under the house, not a one-size-fits-all spec sheet.
Steel Push Piers
Deliver deep, reliable support for heavier structures common in older Salt Lake City homes with full basements.
Helical Piers
Torque-driven support that works well in the sandier valley-floor soil found across parts of the metro.
Underpinning Brackets
Connect piers securely to existing foundation footings for consistent load transfer.
Hydraulic Lift Systems
Achieve controlled, incremental elevation changes without shocking the structure.
Galvanized Coatings
Protect steel components from corrosion in valley soil moisture over the long run.
Compacted Fill Material
Stabilizes soil around newly installed piers once excavation closes up.
Questions on materials?
Get a Free EstimateTimeline
How long does piering and underpinning take?
Most piering jobs run a few days to a week depending on how many piers the foundation needs.
- 01
Inspection and pier plan
same day - 02
Permit filing
1–2 weeks - 03
Pier installation
1–3 days - 04
Site restoration
same dayas final pier set
Need a schedule that fits?
Get a Free EstimateCodes & permits
Permits and codes for Piering and Underpinning
Permit requirements run through Salt Lake County building services; confirm your specific scope before work begins.
| Typically needs a permit | Often no permit |
|---|---|
| Structural underpinning or pier installation anywhere on the foundation | Initial inspection and soil assessment visits |
| Any excavation adjacent to a load-bearing wall | Pre-installation planning and pier count estimates |
Need help with permits?
Get a Free EstimateCost
What does piering and underpinning cost in Salt Lake City?
Cost scales with pier count and how deep piers need to go to reach bearing soil. Request a free estimate for exact pier count and pricing based on your soil and structure.
| Project type | Typical range | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair (1–3 piers) | $3,500–$7,500 | localized settlement at a corner or wall section. |
| Partial perimeter (4–8 piers) | $7,500–$18,000 | covers a wall run with ongoing movement. |
| Full perimeter underpinning (9+ piers) | $18,000–$35,000+ | stabilizes the entire foundation. |
These are typical local ballparks — final cost depends on scope, materials, and site conditions. A free estimate gives you an accurate, itemized number for your home.
Want a number for your home?
Get a Free EstimateDIY vs pro
DIY vs hiring a pro for Piering and Underpinning
| DIY | Hire a pro |
|---|---|
| Monitoring crack width with a simple gauge between visits | Underpinning requires driving piers to engineered depth, something a DIY approach can't verify or guarantee |
| Keeping grading and drainage pointed away from the foundation | Load transfer brackets need precise installation to actually carry the structure's weight |
| — | Getting the pier type wrong for your soil can mean redoing the work later |
Not sure DIY vs pro?
Get a Free EstimateWhen to call
When to call for Piering and Underpinning
- Stair-step cracks widening in a brick or block foundation
- Doors and windows binding more than they used to
- One corner of the house visibly lower than the rest
- A sloping floor that's gotten worse over a season or two
Seeing warning signs?
Get a Free EstimateNext step
Call or request a free estimate before the settlement spreads further.
FAQs
Piering and Underpinning FAQs
How long do push piers or helical piers last?
Properly installed steel piers are rated for the life of the structure, typically 50+ years, since they're driven to stable load-bearing soil rather than resting in the fill layer that moves.
What's the difference between underpinning and slabjacking?
Underpinning carries the foundation down to stable soil with piers, which is a structural fix; slabjacking (polyjacking) lifts a slab back to grade without addressing deep structural support, and it's a different service for driveways and sidewalks, not load-bearing walls.
Push piers or helical piers, which is right for my house?
It depends on your soil and structural load. Heavier homes on firmer bench soil often do well with push piers, while lighter loads on sandier valley-floor soil can be a good fit for helical piers. We'll recommend one after assessing your site.
How much does piering cost per pier?
Most jobs run roughly $1,200–$2,500 per pier installed, with total cost depending on how many piers your foundation needs.
Will underpinning fix my cracks completely?
Underpinning stops ongoing settlement, but existing cracks usually still need separate crack injection or patching once the foundation is stabilized.
Do I need a permit for piering work?
Structural underpinning typically requires a permit through Salt Lake County, and we handle that filing as part of the job.
Before & after
Before and after Piering and Underpinning
Before 
After
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