Consideration of underpinning is a good idea. Let’s get rid of the guesswork, read here!

Imagine that the foundation of your house is a Broadway Star. It’s a sure thing that your performance will suffer as soon as the foundation starts to creak. To keep your home standing, you need to give it the extras that it needs. Now, let’s breakdown this financial performance.

Permits Roulette and Engineering Fees

Permits, permits, permits. Permits are like the extra guac that you get on your burrito. They’re unexpected and can be a bit painful. These permits could cost you anywhere between $500 and $1500 depending on which city or county you are in. It’s time for the engineers. There will be two engineers needed: one to survey and plan the project, the other to give approval. These extra costs can range between $1,000 and $3,000 Engineers, like them or dislike them, are a necessary evil.

Material costs dominate budget

Concrete, steel and labor all cost a lot. Concrete alone costs $100-150 per yard. Imagine if you needed 10 cubic meters. You’d be looking at a cost of over $1000. The steel beams are also expensive, at around $200 a foot.

Human Factor of Labor

You cannot have a solid foundation without some strength. Generally, 40 to 60 percent of your overall cost is labor. Skilled laborers are not just digging holes. They also provide the structural support for your building. You may pay from $50 per hour to $100 per worker depending on who you hire.

Transportation logistics are important. It’s not cheap to move all that material. When you think you know everything, something unexpected will happen. You might hit a solid piece of rock or come across an underground river. Budgeting an additional 10%-20% is smart for these curveballs.