Quick answer: House lifting costs $15,000–$150,000+ in Los Angeles depending on the goal — a simple re-level is the cheapest option, while lifting to add a new lower level or garage underneath costs the most since it adds new construction below. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) handles this throughout Greater Los Angeles.
House lifting, also called house raising, is the process of temporarily raising a home off its foundation to replace a failing foundation, add a new lower level, or elevate the structure. In Los Angeles, homeowners lift houses to fix serious foundation problems, gain living space beneath a hillside home, or modernize an older raised-foundation property. APLA Construction is a licensed LA general contractor (CA Lic #1136359) that coordinates house lifting and foundation replacement.
House lifting in Los Angeles typically costs between $25,000 and $150,000+, depending on the reason for the lift, home size, and what happens underneath. A 2026 guide:
| Item | Typical Cost |
| Lift for foundation replacement | $25,000 to $80,000, including the lift and new foundation. |
| Lift to add a lower level or garage | $80,000 to $150,000+, since it adds new construction below. |
| Lift and re-level only | $15,000 to $40,000 for lighter structural corrections. |
Cost drivers include home size and weight, foundation condition, hillside access, the height of the lift, and whether new living space is added below.
Common reasons include replacing a cracked or sinking foundation, adding a basement or ground-floor level under a hillside home, correcting a home that has settled unevenly, and modernizing an older raised foundation. It is a major structural project best handled by experienced professionals. This work is closely tied to our foundation services.
House lifting requires structural engineering, a permit from LADBS or your local building department, and careful coordination of lifting, temporary support, and the new foundation. APLA works with structural engineers and manages the permit process, so the project is safe, compliant, and inspected at each stage.
Hillside neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Echo Park, and the Hollywood Hills, and older raised-foundation homes in Highland Park and Pasadena, are the most common candidates for lifting. We assess your home and goals to plan the safest approach.
The most common reasons are replacing a failing foundation, adding living space below, or correcting uneven settling. It can also raise a home out of a low or flood-prone spot.
Yes, when engineered and performed by professionals. The home is raised gradually on synchronized jacks and supported securely. APLA works with structural engineers throughout.
Yes. House lifting requires structural plans and a permit. APLA handles engineering coordination and permits.
The lift itself takes days, but the full project including new foundation or lower level typically takes 2 to 6 months.
APLA Construction coordinates house lifting and foundation replacement across Los Angeles. Licensed CA Lic #1136359 — verify on CSLB. Call (818) 818-4419 or email info@aplaconstruction.com for a free consultation.