Why do most Foundation Repair Companies install Pressed Pilings?

Answer: because it is much more profitable for the repair company

The cost of foundation repair is primarily determined by the repair method chosen by the contractor. The primary reason most foundation repair companies use segmented concrete pilings (pressed piles) as their repair method of choice is because it is more profitable for the repair contractor. However, Dawson Foundation Repair feels that segmented concrete pilings have far more disadvantages than advantages for the homeowner. Please review our web page that Compares the Methods of Foundation Repair for a detailed explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of all major repair methods.

Therefore, Dawson Foundation Repair installs only Bell Bottom Piers for homeowners and commercial property owners. Bell Bottom Piers have far more advantages over any other method of foundation repair and we feel the homeowner should receive the best option available. We feel that the true costs of foundation repair and contractor’s profitability should not be the determining factor for which method of repair to offer the consumer. It is our firm belief that the best foundation repair method available for the customer is the Bell Bottom Pier option, regardless of its higher foundation repair costs and lower profit margins for the contractor.

Most Companies Install Pressed Pilings because lower costs = higher profits Why does Dawson install Piers that cost 3x more in materials and labor?
Bell Bottom Pier	Cost	Pressed Piling	Cost	Pressed Piling w/ Insert	Cost
Installed Correctly at 12 foot depth (depending on soil conditions)		Average depth of piles pushed varies between 5 – 20 feet (depending on weight of house and soil conditions)		Average depth of piles pushed varies between 5 – 20 feet (depending on weight of house and soil conditions)
12 foot Pier with 9 inch shaft and 22 inch Bell requires 1/2 yard of concrete	$ 90.00	6 x 12 inch concrete cylinder average 14 + 1 head cap	$ 40.00	6 x 12 inch concrete cylinder average 14 + 1 head cap	$ 40.00
Steel: three 1/2 inch rebar rods in shaft and two 5 mat pieces in cap	$ 41.00	Steel Reinforcement (not used)	0	Steel insert cost varies with depth	$ 10.25
Soil Identification to 15 feet	$ 12.00	Soil Testing (not performed)	0	Soil Testing (not performed)	0
Soil pick up, removal to landfill	$ 40.00	Soil pick up, removal to landfill (n/a)	0	Soil pick up, removal to landfill (n/a)	0
Norex Engineering on site Pier Inspection	$ 23.00	No inspection except by job foreman	0	No inspection except by job foreman	0
Steel Shims and Concrete Pads	$ 33.25	Steel Shims and Concrete Pads	$ 33.25	Steel Shims and Concrete Pads	$ 33.25
Install, Level slab, clean up – 10 man hours	$ 200.00	Install, Level slab, clean up – 5 man hours	$ 100.00	Install, Level slab, clean up – 5.2 man hours	$ 105.00
Labor and Materials for Mud Pumping voids	$ 50.00	Mud Pumping voids (most companies no longer offer this service)	0	Mud Pumping voids (most companies no longer offer this service)	0
Cost (materials + labor)	$ 489.25	Cost (materials + labor)	$ 173.25	Cost (materials + labor)	$ 188.50
* Please note that the costs above are for materials and labor only. Some of the other costs we incur as a business are office overhead, warehouse overhead, foremen and supervisors, equipment and machinery, advertising, liability insurance, medical insurance, disability insurance, and taxes.
Selling Price / pier $650 – $800		Selling Price / piling $300 – $400		Selling Price / piling $400 – $700

Note: Plumbing tests between $375 – $425 are not included in prices above.

Note: These contractor costs are based on an average sixteen exterior pier/piling job. Foundation Repair Costs could vary approximately 10% plus or minus; costs are influenced by other facts such as landscaping, number of break-outs, amount house needs to be raised, need for Mud Pumping, cost of materials, etc.

The Reason for Mud Pumping

When a concrete slab foundation is leveled – and raised during the process – a void is created between the concrete slab and the supporting soils underneath. If this void is not filled then the unsupported center of the home’s concrete slab will settle. Therefore, filling or pumping the void with “mud,” a mixture of soil and cement, will provide the necessary support for the center of the home’s concrete slab. Click the following link to see photos of the Mud Pumping process – the final step in the home foundation repair.

Why Most Companies do NOT Mud Pump

1. If the cost of Mud Pumping can be avoided, this increases profits if the customer can be convinced it is bad or not necessary.
2. The cost of equipment to Mud Pump a house is far greater than any other piece of equipment used in foundation repair.
3. A Mud Pump unit (truck, trailer, Mud Pump, mixer, etc.) costs between $50,000 – $60,000.
4. It is time consuming and easier not to do. After all, the worst that can happen is that the contractor gets to sell the customer interior piers later.

In short, Mud Pumping is usually not offered by foundation repair contractors because there are no additional profits for the contractor. Read more about the Foundation Repair Myth that Mud Pumping is not Necessary.