House Lifting
Elevate Your Home with a Basement Addition or ADU
At Born and Raised Construction, we understand that your home is more than just a place to live—it’s an investment in your future. If you’re looking to expand your living space and increase your home’s value, a house lift could be the perfect solution.
Why Choose a House Lift?
A house lift is an innovative construction method that involves raising your home to create additional space beneath it. Whether you’re adding a basement or reimagining your current space with a remodel, this process can open up a world of possibilities. By lifting your house, you can:
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Maximize your lot: If your property is short on space, a house lift can give you the extra room you need for a growing family or evolving needs. Whether it’s a new basement for storage, an ADU for rental income, or a mother-in-law suite for family visits, lifting your home can create the ideal foundation for these additions.
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Increase home value: A fully finished basement adds new living space beneath your home that increases the total square footage and offers flexibility that prospective buyers appreciate and value.
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Create functional living spaces: A raised house gives you the opportunity to build versatile living areas, such as a cozy basement apartment, a guest suite, or even a quiet home office. These spaces can be tailored to fit your lifestyle and needs.
What’s Involved in a House Lift?
Lifting a house is a complex and precise process. At Born and Raised Construction, we take care of every detail to ensure your project is completed safely and efficiently:
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Lifting the House: We carefully raise your home using specialized equipment and expert oversight to avoid any damage to the structure.
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Pouring a New Foundation: After lifting your home, we pour a new foundation to the desired height. This new foundation provides a solid base for your basement addition or remodel. It meets all building codes and ensures your home remains stable.
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Securing the House – Seismic Upgrade: Once the new foundation is in place, we secure your home to improve the home’s structural integrity, especially important in older homes and in Portland’s seismic zone.
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Upgrading Utilities: Lifting the house often requires adjustments to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems to meet current building codes. House lifts provide an opportunity to increase the energy efficiency and performance of the home's utilities.
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Finishing Your Basement: With the house raised and the foundation secure, we turn our attention to finishing your new basement. Whether you're planning an ADU, a home office, or a kids’ play space, we’ll help you design a space that fits your needs. From framing to final finishes, we handle everything.
Why Portland Homeowners Trust Us
At Born and Raised Construction, we’re proud to be a part of the Portland community. We take the time to get to know our clients and understand their needs, ensuring that every house lift project is a success. From the initial consultation to the final inspection, we’re with you every step of the way, making the process smooth, efficient, and stress-free.
If you’re considering a house lift, basement addition, or an ADU in Portland, reach out today to see how we can elevate your home and your lifestyle.
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Frequently Asked Questions - House Lifts
Q: How high can you lift a house?
A: Typically 2 to 10 feet, depending on your goals and zoning rules. We’ll help determine what’s possible during your site visit.
Q: Can I upgrade utilities during a house lift?
A: Yes—this is actually the perfect time to upgrade plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. With the home raised and the foundation exposed, it’s easier and more cost-effective to modernize your systems. Most homeowners take this opportunity to:
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Replace old plumbing lines
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Upgrade electrical service and panel
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Install or relocate HVAC systems
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Add insulation or radiant floor heating
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Prepare for future solar or EV charging
Q: Can I add living space during the house lift?
A: Absolutely. House lifts are a great opportunity to add a full-height basement or accessory dwelling unit (ADU), creating more livable square footage without expanding your home’s footprint.
Q: Do I need permits to lift my house in Portland?
A: Yes, house lifts in Portland require permits from the city, including structural, plumbing, and electrical approvals. Born and Raised Construction handles the permitting process so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Q: How long does a house lift take?
A: The actual lift takes just a few days. The whole project—from design and permitting, lifting the house and pouring the foundation, reconnecting (and upgrading) the utilities, to finishing the new basement into habitable space if desired—can take 9 to 14 months.
Q: Do I need to move out?
A: In most cases, you’ll need to temporarily relocate during the active phases of a house lift for safety and logistics. We’ll help you plan the timeline to minimize disruption.
Q: How much does it cost to lift a house in Portland?
A: Every project is different, but house lift costs in Portland typically range from $110,000 to $300,000+, depending on the size of the home, foundation type, soil conditions, if there are utility upgrades involved and the level of finish you desire in the newly created space. A house lift and a new foundation usually start around $150,000. A basement dig-out with structural upgrades and added head height start around $110,000. The costs to finish the basement or upgrade the utilities are in addition to these rough base prices. We provide detailed estimates tailored to your property and project goals.
Q: What's the first step?
A: Schedule a consultation! We’ll talk through your goals and walk you through what’s possible.