Most homeowners never get the opportunity to see a house lifted off its foundation. It’s a complex process that requires careful planning, engineering, and coordination between multiple trades.
On a recent project in Vancouver, we partnered with Dasco Construction, Zebiak House Raising, and J&R Excavation to lift an existing home, move it to a better location, replace its foundation, and prepare it to be lowered onto a brand-new foundation.
Here’s how the process works.
Starting with the Existing House
Originally, the home was sitting on its original foundation.
Before the house could be lifted, we needed to create access for the lifting system. To do this, we cut four openings measuring approximately 5 feet by 5 feet to create room for the cribbing system that would temporarily support the structure.
Once the openings were complete, excavation began.
Excavating to Bearing Material
The next step was excavating approximately four feet down to reach suitable bearing material.
Bearing material is the stable soil capable of supporting the weight of the home and the temporary cribbing structure.
Before proceeding, a geotechnical engineer inspected the excavation and confirmed that the bearing material was suitable and stable.
This inspection is a critical step that helps ensure the safety of the lifting operation.
Installing the Cribbing and Lifting the House
Once the soil bearing was approved by the engineer, the cribbing system was installed.
Cribbing consists of carefully stacked structural supports designed to temporarily carry the weight of the home while demolition, excavation and foundation work is performed underneath.
After the cribbing was fully installed, the house was carefully lifted above its existing foundation.
With the home safely supported, the next phase of work could begin.
Removing the Existing Foundation
Once the house was elevated, the framed basement walls were removed.
This provided J&R Excavation with access to the site so they could begin removing the existing foundation walls and concrete slab.
The excavation continued until the crew reached the base of the cribbing, which corresponded with the approved bearing material.
At this point, the site was ready for construction of the new foundation system.
Building the New Foundation
After excavation was complete, crushed rock was placed to create a stable base.
From there, we installed:
- Footings
- Quad-Lock insulated concrete forms (ICFs)
- Waterproofing systems
- Drain tile
Each component plays an important role in creating a durable, energy-efficient, and moisture-resistant foundation.
The waterproofing and drainage systems help protect the basement from water intrusion, while the insulated concrete forms improve energy performance and comfort.
Lowering the House onto Its New Foundation
With the new foundation complete, the project reached one of its most exciting milestones.
The house was ready to be lowered back down onto its brand-new foundation.
This stage marks the transition from foundation construction back to rebuilding and finishing the home.
It’s also the moment when months of planning, engineering, excavation, and construction come together.
Teamwork Makes It Possible
Projects like this require close coordination between multiple professionals, including:
- House lifting specialists
- Excavation contractors
- Geotechnical engineers
- Foundation crews
- Waterproofing specialists
- General contractors
Every team member plays a critical role in ensuring the project is completed safely and successfully.
Preserving Homes While Building for the Future
House lifting allows homeowners to preserve the character and history of an existing home while upgrading the structure below it to modern standards.
By combining expert planning with modern construction techniques, it’s possible to give older homes a new foundation for decades of future performance.
At Clay Construction, we take pride in helping homeowners preserve what makes their homes special while improving durability, efficiency, and long-term value.
— Larry Clay
The Clay Way
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