Pier and Beam houses in San Antonio

[Rick Levada]

Anyone have any experience with the cost and options to level sloped floors in an older pier and beam house?

[Seth Teel]

@Rick Levada This is my rule of thumb for a "quick and dirty" foundation estimate without engaging a foundation contractor...yet.  

Take the floor area and divide by 49.  Generally piers need to be set 7' apart, so 7x7= 49sf.

Let's say the house is one story @ 1,400sf.   1400/49 = 28.6 or total of 29 Piers. 

Now multiply the number if piers by $250.  29x250 = $7,250.

Now add $200 for permit & $400 for Engineer's letter (yes, both of these are required by the City).  200+400 = $600

Total foundation price = $7,850.  

In the above scenario, this assumes all piers need to be replaced (this is usually not the case). It does not account for new beams. I do not have a rule of thumb for beam replacement cost, but it's usually another line item on the foundation bid.  It should also be noted price per pier cost can vary different from contractor to contractor, from around $200/pier on the low end, to $600/pier on the Retail end. 

Hope this helps. 

-Seth