Pier and Beam Foundation Repair in Oklahoma City: Signs and Costs
What a Pier and Beam Foundation Is
A pier and beam foundation holds the house up on wood beams and joists supported by piers, with a perimeter wall around the outside and a crawl space underneath. Many Oklahoma City homes built before the 1960s, especially in older neighborhoods like Heritage Hills, Mesta Park, Crown Heights and Capitol Hill, use this design.
Warning Signs
- Floors that slope, dip or bounce
- Doors that stick or swing open
- Gaps between floors and walls
- Cracks above doors and windows
- Crushed shims or tipped piers under the house
- Soft sill plates along the foundation
Why They Move in Oklahoma City
Expansive red clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and piers on small footings move with it. Crawl space moisture rots wood shims, piers and sills over time. Long beam spans in older homes also sag. See Why Is Oklahoma Soil Red?
Common Fixes
Reshimming: replacing failed shims with steel or composite shims and raising low spots.
New supports: adjustable steel posts or new piers on concrete footings to shorten long spans.
Pier replacement: replacing tipped, cracked or rotted piers.
Framing repair: sistering joists and replacing rotted beam and sill sections.
Typical Costs
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Reshimming and minor leveling | $500 to $2,000 |
| Adjustable steel support post | $300 to $900 each |
| New interior pier with footing | $400 to $1,200 each |
| Sistering a floor joist | $300 to $900 each |
| Sill plate repair | $100 to $300 per linear ft |
| Typical leveling project | $2,500 to $10,000 |
Protect the Repair
Pair leveling with moisture control: a sealed vapor barrier, drainage if water gets in, and encapsulation if humidity stays high. See pier and beam foundation repair.
Want a free quote?
Call (405) 400-1701 or use the form for a free inspection and written quote.
