We connect property owners in Lexington and nearby areas, including Gratz Park, Ashland Park, Chevy Chase, Hamburg, Nicholasville and Georgetown, with one independent local foundation repair specialist.
What it costs
Typical published ranges for Lexington. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.
Work
Typical range
Inspection and written estimate
Free
Seal or inject one crack
$200 to $1,000
Minor cracks and basic waterproofing in Lexington
$1,900 to $3,900
Major repair in Lexington, piers or underpinning
$2,300 to $24,100
Steel or helical pier
$1,000 to $3,000per pier
Wall anchor
$1,500 to $2,000each
Wall anchors, whole job
$5,000 to $15,000
Carbon fiber straps, whole wall
$4,000 to $12,000
Bowing wall repair, whole job
$4,000 to $15,000
Lift a sunken slab (mudjacking)
$500 to $1,900
Underpinning a large section
$10,000 to $40,000
Structural engineer report
$300 to $2,000
Basement waterproofing, whole job
$3,000 to $10,000
Inside perimeter drain
$40 to $120per linear foot
Sump pump, installed
$600 to $2,500
Outside French drain
$10 to $100per linear foot
Waterproof wall coating
$1 to $8per sq ft
Regrade the yard
$500 to $3,000
Crawl space vapor barrier
$1,500 to $4,000
Crawl space encapsulation
$2,000 to $15,000
Crawl space dehumidifier
$750 to $1,700
Replace a support beam
$1,500 to $5,000per beam
Replace a floor joist
$100 to $300per joist
Mold removal
$500 to $2,000
The short answer
Most foundation work in Lexington falls into three groups. Small jobs are crack sealing and drainage fixes. Medium jobs are a drain and sump pump, crawl space supports or straps on one wall. Big jobs are piers under a sinking corner, anchors on several walls or underpinning.
The cost table on this page shows typical ranges from the Fixr, This Old House and HomeBlue cost guides, not a quote. Every homeowner who calls gets a free inspection and a written price before deciding anything.
What moves the price up or down in Lexington
The fix the house needs
Sealing one leaking crack is a small job. Bracing a whole wall is a big one. Piers under a corner are bigger still. Catching a problem early keeps you at the cheaper end.
How much of the house is involved
Drains are priced by the foot. Piers are priced one at a time. A small basement with one wet wall costs far less than a large one that needs a drain on all four sides.
What is under the house
Some Lexington lots have limestone close to the surface. Others have deeper clay. That changes how deep piers go and how hard the digging is. Soft or washed-out soil near a sinkhole can add work. The inspector looks for this before pricing.
Basement, crawl space or slab
Each kind of foundation has its own fixes. Crawl space work depends on height and access. A low crawl space takes more time to work in.
Wall type
Poured walls are the easiest to seal. Block walls often need a drain at the base because water collects in the hollow blocks. Old stone and brick walls near downtown may need new mortar as well as drainage.
What is outside the wall
A driveway, porch, deck or tight lot line can rule out digging and wall anchors. That pushes the plan toward inside methods like beams or straps.
Finished basements
Drywall, paneling and carpet have to come off where the crew works. Putting them back is often extra.
Sump pump add-ons
A battery backup pump, a sealed lid and a longer discharge line add cost. They keep water out when a storm knocks out the power.
Permits and engineering
Structural work usually needs a building permit in Lexington. Only contractors registered with the Division of Building Inspection can pull one. Some jobs also need an engineer's letter. Ask if your estimate includes both.
When the cheap fix is enough
Not every problem needs a big repair. Say water shows up near one corner after hard rain. The cause is often a downspout dumping next to the wall. It can also be soil sloping toward the house. Longer downspouts and a new slope to the yard cost far less than a drain.
The same goes for a sinkhole in the yard. Sometimes the fix is to send roof water somewhere else, so it stops feeding the hole. A good inspector checks these simple causes first. If that is all you need, they should tell you.
When the cheap fix is not enough
Some signs mean a bigger job is coming. A wall that bows in, a crack that keeps growing, or a corner that keeps sinking all point to movement. Sealing a moving crack or adding a drain to a moving wall means paying twice. The inspector checks for movement before pricing any water fix.
The no-surprises promise
Every estimate through Lexington Foundation Repair is written. You see the plan and the price before anyone starts. You approve it, or you walk away. There is no fee to use the service.
How to compare estimates
Make sure each crew looked at every wall and the crawl space, not just the spot you pointed at.
Compare the fix, not just the total. Straps, beams and anchors are not the same job.
For piers, check how many and where they go.
For drains, check how many feet, where the pump goes and where the water leaves the yard.
Ask if the price covers finished walls, cleanup and hauling.
Read the warranty. What does it cover, for how long, and does it move to the next owner?
Ask who pulls the permit, and confirm the contractor is registered in Lexington.
Get it all in writing.
Ways to keep the cost down
Fix gutters and downspouts before anything else.
Keep water away from any sinkhole near the house.
Act on a growing crack early, before a wall starts to move.
Ask if the job can be done in stages, starting with the most urgent part.
Ask about payment plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average foundation repair cost in Lexington?
National cost guides put most foundation repairs between about $2,200 and $8,200, with an average near $5,200. A Lexington cost guide puts minor crack and waterproofing work at about $1,900 to $3,900. It puts major work with piers or underpinning at $2,300 to $24,100. Your written estimate gives the real number.
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
Most whole-basement jobs typically run $3,000 to $10,000. An inside drain runs about $40 to $120 a foot. A sump pump runs about $600 to $2,500 installed.
How much does crawl space repair cost?
Fixr puts the national average near $4,500 for a 1,500 square foot crawl space. A vapor barrier typically runs $1,500 to $4,000. Full encapsulation runs $2,000 to $15,000.
Does homeowners insurance pay for foundation repair?
Usually not for settling or soil movement. Many standard policies leave out earth movement, which can include sinkholes. Some insurers offer a sinkhole add-on. Ask your agent what your policy covers.
Why do estimates for the same job vary so much?
Different crews may suggest different fixes. One may suggest straps, another anchors. One may suggest a drain inside, another digging outside. Compare what is included and the warranty, not just the total.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. The inspection and written estimate through Lexington Foundation Repair cost nothing. You do not have to hire anyone.
Do I need a structural engineer?
Not for every job. For big movement, a sinking corner or a home sale, an engineer's report helps. National guides put it at about $300 to $2,000.
Are payment plans available?
Many local contractors offer financing or payment plans. Ask about it when you get your estimate.
Is it cheaper to wait?
Usually not. A crack or a bowing wall tends to get worse with each wet season. A wall that could have been strapped can end up needing anchors.
Call (859) 681-6936 or send the short form to get a free inspection and a written price.