How Much Height Should You Lift: Safety & Code Considerations
When it comes to raising a house, one of the biggest questions homeowners ask is: how high should I go? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right lift height depends on flood risks, the type of foundation, safety standards, and building codes. Whether you’re interested in flood protection, lifting a house to fix foundation problems, or creating additional living space, understanding the limits and considerations is essential before you start.
In this guide, we’ll explore why homeowners choose to lift, what factors influence height, the role of building codes, and the risks of going too high or too low.
Why Lift a House?
There are several reasons homeowners turn to house raising contractors:
Flood protection: Many properties in coastal regions face repeated damage from rising water levels. By elevating your house above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) or even higher, you significantly reduce flood risk. This ensures your investment remains secure, resilient, and eligible for future insurance protection under FEMA guidelines.
Foundation repair: In cases of serious deterioration, lifting house to replace foundation or perform major repairs is often the only way to maintain long-term structural integrity. Using hydraulic jacks and engineered supports, contractors can stabilize the home, restore safety, and prevent costly damage that worsens over time.
Creating space: Homeowners seeking additional living space often choose house lifting to add a usable basement or garage. By raising the structure 8–12 feet, you gain storage, parking, or income potential. Beyond comfort, this approach improves property value and extends practical use of the home.
Compliance: When a home has been substantially damaged or substantially improved, compliance with local codes and the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) becomes mandatory. Meeting the required flood protection elevation (FPE) not only ensures safety but also prevents fines and helps maintain affordable flood insurance coverage for the property in designated high-risk zones
Real-world example: After Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas, many lifted houses were raised 10–12 feet to comply with FEMA guidelines. This not only prevented future flood damage but also brought homes up to resale standards.
Understanding the Factors That Determine Lift Height
Not every house can be raised to the same level. A few critical factors decide the feasible and safe height:
Type of Foundation
- Slab-on-grade foundation: Homes with a slab-on-grade foundation are harder to elevate since the slab is directly tied to the structure. Detaching requires specialized equipment, often limiting lift height and increasing overall project costs.
- Crawlspace foundation: A crawlspace foundation is usually the easiest to lift because of the existing space beneath the house. This setup provides flexibility for higher lifts, reduced labor challenges, and generally lower overall expense compared to other foundation types.
- Basement foundation: A basement foundation allows for lifting similar to crawlspaces, but usable height depends on existing depth. While feasible, elevation may be more restricted if the basement already offers substantial below-grade space.
2. Structural Strength
The house must withstand the stress of lifting. Older homes, such as a masonry house, may require reinforcement compared to a frame house. Steel beams, known as I-beams, and hydraulic jacks are often used to safely distribute weight during elevation.
3. Local Building Codes
Each area has specific local building codes that set minimum and maximum lift heights. In extreme flood zones or coastal high hazard area districts, these rules are stricter.
4. Purpose of the Project
Why you are lifting your home also determines how much height you should lift. If you’re simply creating room for service equipment like HVAC units, a few feet might suffice. However, when creating a basement or garage, lifts of 8–12 feet are common.
Safety Considerations When Lifting a House
Safety when elevating a house should never be compromised. The process of leveling a house with jacks relies on precise coordination of multiple house lifting jacks, steel supports, and engineered staging. Each step must be carefully monitored to maintain balance, protect structural integrity, and ensure the home is elevated without inviting any risk.
Key safety steps include:
- Ensuring soil stability for piers, posts, columns, or pilings.
- Using open foundation or extended foundation walls when the elevation is significant.
- Checking for existing weaknesses in framing before pressure is applied.
A trusted house lifting company like Linwood Lee House Moving Inc. can evaluate risks, design reinforcements, and carry out the project safely. If you’re comparing house lifting companies, always prioritize those with proven FEMA-compliant experience.
Building Codes and Legal Requirements
Building codes are more than regulations; they exist to keep you, your family, and your property safe. For example:
- The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) requires that homes in designated flood hazard zones are elevated to at least the flood protection elevation (FPE) to remain compliant and insurable.
- Communities may impose additional freeboard, which means elevating above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for greater protection, reducing long-term risk and improving overall flood protection.
- Some towns restrict maximum height to maintain neighborhood aesthetics, preventing an elevated house from appearing drastically taller than surrounding homes while still meeting safety and compliance standards.
Ignoring codes can lead to penalties or even denial of future insurance claims. Always confirm regulations before you lift a house.
Typical Lift Heights
Most projects fall within predictable ranges:
- 5–8 feet: This lift range is common for foundation repair or protecting against moderate flooding, giving you enough clearance to meet flood safety standards.
- 8–12 feet: Raising within this range can create a usable basement foundation or garage beneath the home, adding additional living space and long-term property value.
- 12–20+ feet: Though less common, lifting to this height is sometimes essential in coastal regions facing storm surge or when raising a house to add multiple new levels.
How high you go also impacts timeframes. It is common for homeowners to ask, how long does it take to lift a house? In general, the physical lifting stage may take just a few days, but full project completion, including new foundation work, can extend to several weeks.
Risks of Lifting Too High or Too Low
Going beyond what’s necessary can cause unexpected problems:
- Too high: Elevating a home excessively can put stress on the structural integrity, increase overall project expenses, and create accessibility challenges such as steep staircases or elevators. It may also disrupt neighborhood aesthetics when a property towers unnaturally above nearby elevated houses.
- Too low: When a house is elevated below the necessary flood protection elevation (FPE), it fails to provide adequate safety or usable space. This undermines the entire investment, leaving the property vulnerable to damage and noncompliant with local building codes.
This balance requires guidance from companies that lift houses with decades of expertise. Experienced professionals can determine the safest and most cost-effective lift height for your specific situation.
Conclusion
House elevation is more than just a construction project; it’s a life-safety measure, a way to protect your investment, and in many cases, a legal requirement. The right height depends on your foundation type, codes, and long-term goals. Whether you’re lifting for flood safety, to create space, or to comply with FEMA rules, careful planning makes all the difference.
At Linwood Lee House Moving Inc., our house raising contractors deliver professional house lifting services that are FEMA-compliant and designed to protect your home from future flood damage. Contact us today at (843) 241-3629 or visit our site to learn how we can customize a safe, code-compliant plan for your home.
FAQs
The height to which a house can be lifted varies depending on several factors, including the type of foundation, structural integrity, local building codes, and the purpose of the lift. While most house lifting services raise homes between 5 and 12 feet, it is possible to lift a house even higher in certain situations.
The costs to raise a house in a flood zone start at $12 to $20 a square foot but can go much higher, depending on the scope.
Most homes are lifted between 5–12 feet, depending on the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) and local building codes.
House lifting offers numerous benefits, including flood protection, foundation repair, increased property value, and additional living space.
When done by experienced professionals using hydraulic jacks, I-beams, and proper supports, lifting a house is safe and reliable. Compliance with FEMA and local codes ensures added protection.