Helical piers: how they work, when they fit and cost

Signs you may need helical pier foundation repair

• Settlement on light structures (one-story homes, porches, additions) where push piers can't get enough resistance
• New construction or additions on weak soil
• Bowing walls that need tiebacks

How helical pier foundation repair is done

1. Engineer or contractor sets pier spacing and torque target
2. Excavate at the footing and attach a bracket
3. Screw the helical shaft into the ground with a hydraulic drive head
4. Monitor installation torque (it indicates capacity) and extend the shaft until the target is reached
5. Attach to the bracket, transfer the load and lift if planned

How much helical pier foundation repair costs

Each pier is priced to a standard depth; deeper piers cost about $20–$25+ per extra foot. Hand-dug or tight-access piers cost $200–$500 more each. A geotechnical report, if needed, adds $1,000–$5,000.

Source: HomeGuide, Helical piers cost (updated Feb 2026); This Old House, Foundation repair cost; HomeGuide, Foundation repair cost (updated Feb 2026). Checked October 2026.

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Helical pier installation near you

Helical piers are a specialist product: the installer needs the hydraulic equipment and, usually, a manufacturer's certification. Use the lists below to find companies that mention helical piers on their own website, then ask which brand they install.

Before you hire

• Ask for the torque reading recorded at each pier
• Ask for the pier product's ICC-ES evaluation report number
• Ask what depth is included before extra footage is charged
• Compare per-pier prices only when spacing is the same

Permits, codes and licensing

Contractor licensing is set by each state, and some leave it to cities or counties. Some states license this work at state level (for example the CSLB in California, the Registrar of Contractors in Arizona or the DBPR in Florida); others only require registration or local licenses. Check the license or registration number on your state's or city's public lookup before you pay a deposit, and ask for proof of liability insurance.

Companies that offer helical pier foundation repair

552 companies in the directory name this repair on their own website (the quote is on each company page); they are listed first in each state. Another 0 are companies that usually offer it but don't say so online – confirm when you call.