Can your house be lifted? Elevation feasibility checklist

A house lifting proposal is useful only after someone has checked whether the house, site and proposed new foundation can work together. An elevation feasibility review turns a general idea about raising a home into questions an engineer, contractor and local building department can answer. It does not commit you to construction or establish that a particular lifting method is safe.

FEMA's homeowner guide describes several elevation approaches, including lifting a structure onto a new or extended foundation. The appropriate approach depends on the building and its surroundings. Two homes on the same street can need different designs.

Start with the foundation and the structure above it

Tell the professional whether the house has a slab, crawl space, basement, piers or a combination. Add the approximate construction date, number of stories and wall materials if you know them. Photos can help explain the layout, but they cannot replace an inspection.

FEMA identifies slab-on-grade homes as a case requiring particular care. An engineer needs to assess how the structure would be supported during and after elevation; a slab should never be assumed capable of being lifted with the house. Masonry, additions and earlier alterations can also affect the options.

Gather any existing structural reports, foundation repair records and original plans. If a detail is unknown, label it unknown rather than guessing. Ask whether the initial service includes a site visit, a written feasibility opinion, or only a preliminary conversation.

Confirm the target elevation locally

The height shown on a flood map is not automatically the finished design height for your property. Ask your local floodplain administrator or building department which floodplain requirements apply and what records they need to review the proposal.

If you received a substantial-damage or substantial-improvement notice, include it with the request. Local officials make those determinations; an online questionnaire or contractor's informal estimate does not replace the local review. Our guide to elevation records and certificates explains which documents to collect before you request quotes.

Give the team a clear picture of the site

An elevation project extends beyond the walls of the home. Prepare notes about:

• driveways, side yards, fences and neighboring structures that affect access;
• attached garages, porches, decks and additions;
• overhead lines and visible utility connections;
• stairs, ramps and everyday access after the elevation;
• whether the property is occupied and what relocation arrangements would be needed.

Ask the contractor to identify which observations require an on-site review. Do not move utilities, excavate beside the foundation or remove building components to investigate the proposal yourself.

Ask for decisions, assumptions and next steps

A useful feasibility response should explain what has been inspected, which information is missing and what further engineering is needed. Ask whether the engineer expects the existing foundation to remain, be extended or be replaced, and how that decision will be documented. The contractor should distinguish a preliminary concept from a construction proposal based on an approved design.

If the team identifies alternatives, ask for the reason each is being considered. Elevation is one flood-risk measure; the property's condition, site hazards and local requirements may lead professionals to discuss a different approach. No method should be selected simply because it worked on another home.

Request the right service first

For an early project, request an elevation feasibility review, not a firm construction commitment based only on photos. Describe your foundation, project goal, city and any notice from the building department in the project form.

Once the feasibility questions are answered, use the house elevation proposal checklist to compare written scopes. If the property is in New Smyrna Beach, the local permits and records guide provides a more specific starting point for contacting the city.