Believe it or not, New Jersey is still in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Thousands of homes were damaged and thousands more remain at risk. New Jersey house raising has been busy as homeowners work to protect themselves from the next superstorm. Even if your home wasn’t damaged there’s a chance that the next superstorm could cause major damage. If you’ve been near the shore, you’ve probably seen a house that has been or is currently being lifted. You might have some questions about house lifiting and here we hope to answer them.

Do I need my house raised?

Following superstorm sandy, FEMA released advisory maps to support the rebuilding efforts in New Jersey. It is advised that any house that sits at or below the Advisory Base Flood Elevation should be raised accordingly. There are many benefits to raising a house. Not only does it protect a property from storm damage, house raising helps preserve the neighborhood and community. An elevated house has lower flood insurance and home insurance rates. This will increase the value and resale value of your home.

Will Raising my Home damage or weaken it?

Every situation is different, but a hurricane can destroy your house. A house built on a crawl space will not be affected as much as a home built on a slab. Homes built on slabs require an extra step. A beach or bay house that is already on pilings will have to be looked at by a professional contractor to give you a better idea. When you hire a professional New Jersey house raising contractor, the house will actually be strengthened. A raised house is going to be set on a new concrete or pile foundation designed to withstand a hurricane.

How much will it cost?

Once again this is a situation that is going to be different for each house. The size and location of the house and what the house is on are a few factors. Some contractors might give a range of around 20,000  just to raise a house. However the full price from start to finish could be much higher.

What goes into lifting a home?

While this is not an all-inclusive list, here are some of the steps in the process of house lifting. Existing decks, walkways, porches and staircases will need to be moved. When your house is lifted none of those are going to matter. New staircases and walkways will have to be designed to your new house. Foundation work with either concrete foundations or pilings will need to be done. The house will have to be prepared for lifting before the house is lifted. A new foundation needs to be laid and set. Some homes require hurricane straps and bracing to prevent future damage. This is in addition to the paperwork and utility work.

How long will it take?

The actual house lifting process can be done in one day. However, additional work as well as the complexity of the job to be done will fall into the timeline of the project. It could take a few weeks, even up to six weeks.

Penn Jersey is dedicated to rebuilding lives, one home at a time. They have a focus on detail, value and sophistication and promises. Penn brings a competitive edge, by maintaining long term relationships with their suppliers, vendors and subcontractors. They keep a highly experienced staff which translates into cost-effective pricing and more value to you. When you’re ready for house raising contact Penn Jersey Development Company