Mudjacking costs an average of $1,229, and most projects fall between $662 and $1,867, depending on slab size and location.
Mudjacking costs an average of $1,229. Your total could be as low as $325 or reach up to $3,700, depending on the size of the slab you need lifted, the type of mudjacking you use, and the condition of the concrete. You should consider other cost factors, too, like labor costs in your area and additional repairs you might need to fix the sinking slab permanently.
The cost of mudjacking can vary so widely because there are a few different factors that can push your per-square-foot price and total project price up or down quite significantly.
The term “mudjacking” technically refers to pumping a cementitious slurry under a sunken concrete slab to lift it back into place, but many people use it to refer to a few different methods of lifting concrete. The actual method your professional uses will play a role in the cost.
Slab Leveling Technique | Cost per Sq. Ft |
---|---|
Mudjacking (outdoor surface) | $3–$6 |
Sandjacking | $3–$8 |
Slabjacking (foundation) | $3–$20 |
Polyurethane leveling | $5–$25 |
Mudjacking is the process of pumping a cementitious slurry under a concrete slab to force it back up into place. Mudjacking is a common option for sidewalk, walkway, pool deck, and patio repairs, as the added weight of the slurry won’t cause further issues with sinking. With a high-grade concrete mixture, it can be a good option for concrete driveways, too. Mudjacking costs between $3 and $6 per square foot, with an average of $4 per square foot.
Sandjacking is similar to mudjacking, but instead of a cementitious material, the contractor will place compacted sand beneath the slab to hold it up in its original position. This method is also most appropriate for easily accessible slabs, like sidewalks and walkways, although the sand won’t offer as much stability as concrete, so it’s not ideal for concrete driveways or large patios. Sandjacking costs between $3 and $8 per square foot.
Slabjacking is just another term for mudjacking when it’s used on a foundation slab. If you’re lifting a sunken portion of a slab foundation or a basement floor, you’d more often hear the term slabjacking over mudjacking, even though the process and materials are the same. Slabjacking is more expensive at between $3 and $20 per square foot due to the added preparation and care the professional must employ to avoid structural damage to your home.
Polyurethane concrete leveling, also called polyjacking, is the most expensive mudjacking option at between $5 and $25 per square foot. Instead of a cementitious slurry, your professional will pump an expanding polyurethane foam under the slab, which expands as it cures and lifts your slab back to level. Polyjacking is almost always used for foundation slabs, given the cost, and it’s the most permanent option, as the polyurethane is lightweight and won’t contribute to further sinking.
Most mudjacking contractors bill for projects on a per-square-foot basis, which means the larger the area you need lifted, the more you can expect to pay. The average cost for mudjacking is $4 per square foot, but you could pay anywhere from $3 to $25 depending on the type of material you use, the slab you’re lifting, and how accessible your sunken concrete is.
For example, if you have a 100-square-foot section of concrete patio that has cracked off from the rest and begun to sink into the ground, you’re looking at between $300 and $800 for the repair. A larger, 400-square-foot section of concrete patio costs between $1,200 and $3,200.
Your mudjacking contractor might need to drill additional holes to raise particularly large portions of concrete, which also adds to the labor cost.
Project Square Footage | Price Range |
---|---|
50 | $150–$400 |
100 | $300–$800 |
150 | $450–$1,200 |
200 | $600–$1,600 |
250 | $750–$2,000 |
300 | $900–$2,400 |
350 | $1,050–$2,800 |
400 | $1,200–$3,200 |
Mudjacking costs mostly depend on the square footage of the slab you need lifted and the method your professional uses. If you don’t know the square footage or what type of material would be best, you can get a rough estimate for your concrete leveling costs based on the project type.
For example, leveling a single square of sidewalk is going to cost $300 to $400, on average, while leveling a concrete foundation can push your total up to $37,500 or more. Use the table below to get an idea of where your project will fall, but note that square footage and the method used will still be important factors.
Leveling Project | Cost Range |
---|---|
Concrete steps | $200–$500 |
Concrete subfloors | $600–$4,000 |
Driveway | $600–$3,000 |
Foundation | $4,500–$37,500 |
Garage floor | $1,100–$2,200 |
Patio | $600–$3,200 |
Pool deck | $300–$600 |
Sidewalk | $300–$1,800 |
As is the case with any professional service, labor is going to be a significant portion of your mudjacking costs—usually between 50% and 70% of your total. The location of the slab you need lifted can play a role in your labor costs and determine how easy it is to work with concrete.
For example, if your mudjacking professional has easy access to the work area—as is the case with a patio, sidewalk, driveway, or pool deck—the labor costs could be lower than if they need to maneuver equipment down into a basement or crawl space and work on a foundation in cramped conditions.
Every mudjacking job will require some preparation, but the extent of that prep work can play a role in your total mudjacking project cost.
For less complicated mudjacking repairs—like for non-structural driveways, sidewalks, or patios—your concrete repair specialist might not need to do much planning, as the concrete isn’t under significant load and plays no part in your home’s stability. Significantly more planning usually goes into slabjacking or raising any concrete your home relies on for support. Additional planning could drive up your preparation costs, and you might need to consult a structural engineer first.
Similarly, if there’s any risk of utility lines running through the concrete you need to lift, your contractor will need to take some time to do a site assessment and mark out the lines before beginning. This could take additional time and also demand more planning to ensure the lines remain safe throughout the concrete lifting process.
The national average cost of a mudjacking project is {nationalAvgCost}, but you could pay more or less than this based on where you live. Generally, higher-cost areas will demand higher labor prices to account for the cost of living.
The table below includes typical mudjacking project costs across a few major cities so you can get an idea of how the average price can vary.
City | Cost Range |
---|---|
Seattle, WA | $1,800 |
New York, NY | $2,500 |
Los Angeles, CA | $1,500 |
Atlanta, GA | $1,230 |
Dallas, TX | $870 |
Tampa, FL | $1,360 |
Kansas City, MO | $830 |
Mudjacking is just one repair method that you can use to level your concrete, but it’s usually one of the most cost-effective options to fix foundation issues. We’ll explain some of the other options below and include some pricing for the sake of comparison. Keep in mind that these don’t all solve the issue of sunken concrete, and some are better for other related problems.
Underpinning: Underpinning involves jacking up the sunken portion of concrete and installing a permanent support underneath. This costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per pier, and you could need between one and 10 piers based on your project.
Basement waterproofing: Waterproofing helps resolve foundation leaks and can involve a wide array of methods. Basement waterproofing costs between $1,000 and $10,000.
Crack sealing: Sealing foundation cracks costs between $250 and $1,000, depending on how large the crack is and whether or not it’s structural. Structural cracks may require additional repair methods and concrete stabilization.
New concrete slab pouring: Pouring a new concrete foundation costs $4,500 to $20,000 in most cases, but prices can vary wildly, depending on square footage and the type of foundation.
Bowing foundation wall stabilization: Hydrostatic pressure from expansive soil can push foundation walls inward, demanding stabilization. The different methods for stabilizing this issue cost between $1,000 and $8,000.
If you have a sunken slab, you may be wondering if it’s better to pay for mudjacking services or just remove the old slab and replace it. It’s almost always more affordable to go with mudjacking than it is to replace your slab.
Mudjacking with a cementitious slurry costs between $3 and $6 per square foot, while pouring a new concrete slab costs an average of $10 per square foot, and you’d also have to pay for demolition and haul away services. The price disparity becomes even wider if you’re lifting a foundation slab, as replacement is extremely labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Speak with a professional to ensure that mudjacking is a viable solution for your sinking concrete problem. If it is, mudjacking is the more affordable option. Just be sure to discuss the longevity of the solution to make sure you’re getting good value for your money.
DIY mudjacking is technically possible for small areas and costs between $1 and $5 per square foot for the concrete, plus any tools you rent. Mudjacking machinery—including mixers and pumps to deliver the slurry—may not be available in your area, so check with your local home improvement store or equipment rental provider. If you don’t have access to the tools or are concerned about doing further damage to your concrete slab, call in a concrete mudjacking company near you.
Larger or critical locations, like areas with loose soil underneath and especially home foundations, will require professional help to avoid further cracking in the concrete slab and major structural damage, so never attempt to DIY a solution.
Mudjacking can be an expensive repair, but there are a few things you can do to save money on labor and materials.
Choose the most affordable method that solves your issue. For example, if your soil can support the weight of additional concrete under a patio, opt for sandjacking or mudjacking over foamjacking. This could save you around $20 per square foot, which could add up to thousands of dollars for the whole project.
Consider DIY leveling for simple projects. If you have a garage slab that has only sunk down a half-inch, using a self-leveling concrete should suffice and could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. The cost per square foot will be $1–$5 as opposed to up to $25 for more intensive foamjacking.
Hire a pro for structural repairs. Any concrete that supports the weight of your home should only ever involve lifting by a professional. It might be tempting to do the work yourself and save money upfront, but mistakes could lead to tens of thousands of dollars in structural damage to your home, which could end up costing you far more than you’d save in the long run. Plus, your home insurance likely won’t pay for damage caused by DIY foundation repairs.
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Mudjacking normally takes between one day and three days to dry completely. The larger the project area is, the more time it will take to dry. You should not walk on the concrete or place furniture or vehicles on the lifted concrete until you’re sure it’s completely cured, which a pro can help determine. If you’re polyjacking instead, the polyurethane foam can take just a few minutes to dry, but wait an hour to be sure.
Mudjacking should last for five to 10 years, so it’s considered a temporary solution to sinking concrete. However, there are some cases where mudjacking fails before this time period, like if you have loose soil below the concrete to begin with or a karst landscape is to blame for the sinking concrete. Some mudjacking projects can last for well beyond a decade, depending on the underlying issue.
No, mudjacking is not considered a permanent fix and typically lasts for five to 10 years. Mudjacking doesn’t resolve the underlying issue of loose or mobile soil, so it’s likely to return in the future. Polyurethane foamjacking solutions can last significantly longer, but the time frame for both depends on the underlying problem and whether you address that alongside your sunken concrete.