San Diego’s combination of expansive clay soils, seismic activity, coastal erosion, hillside instability and aging housing stock (median home age ≈42 years in 2025) makes foundation problems one of the most common — and most expensive — issues local homeowners face. Repair costs range from $8,000 for minor pier-and-beam adjustments to $120,000+ for full foundation replacement or helical-pile systems on larger homes.
Completed Home Improvements SD has performed structural foundation work on more than 840 San Diego properties since 2008. Every project follows a strict, engineer-guided protocol that emphasizes:
- accurate diagnosis
- permanent stabilization
- minimal disruption
- code-compliant documentation for future resale and insurance
This article explains the step-by-step process we use — and why shortcuts that many contractors still take end up costing homeowners far more in the long run.
Step 1 – Forensic Structural Evaluation (Never Skip This)
No reputable foundation company starts digging or jacking without a comprehensive evaluation.
What We Do on Every Job:
- Full interior & exterior visual inspection (cracks, sticking doors/windows, uneven floors, sloping)
- Floor-level survey with 0.1° digital inclinometer & laser level (documented slope map)
- 20+ interior & exterior moisture readings (Protimeter MMS2)
- Soil sample collection & classification (expansive clay index, plasticity)
- Review of original foundation plans (if available) + prior repair history
- Drone or ladder inspection of roof-to-foundation alignment (settlement patterns)
Deliverable: 12–20 page engineering-grade report with photos, slope diagrams, moisture map and recommended repair scope — accepted by structural engineers, banks, insurance carriers and title companies.
Common finding we catch that others miss: differential settlement caused by poor drainage or uncompacted fill — not just “bad soil.”
Step 2 – Third-Party Structural Engineer Review & Stamped Plans
We never self-diagnose major structural work. Every project requiring piers, helical piles, push piers, slab jacking, wall anchors or grade-beam reinforcement is reviewed and stamped by an independent California-licensed structural engineer (not an in-house “consultant”).
Why this matters:
- Cal/OSHA & local building departments require PE-stamped plans for structural underpinning
- Banks & title companies demand engineer approval for financing or resale
- Insurance carriers require engineer documentation for major claims
Our engineers produce:
- Detailed repair drawings
- Load calculations
- Pier depth & spacing
- Material specifications
- Construction sequence
Stamped plans eliminate permitting delays and future liability.
Step 3: Permanent Stabilization Methods We Use Most Often
| Method | Best For | Typical Depth | Load Capacity per Pier | Warranty (Transferable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance (Push) Piers | Settled slab & stem-wall homes | 15–35 ft | 20–60 tons | Lifetime |
| Helical Piers | Very poor soils, additions, porches | 10–50 ft | 15–100 tons | Lifetime |
| Slab Piering / Mudjacking | Minor slab settlement (≤4 in) | 4–12 ft | 5–25 tons | 10 years |
| Wall Plate Anchors | Bowed or leaning foundation walls | 20–40 ft | 10–30 tons | Lifetime |
| Carbon-Fiber Straps | Minor to moderate wall bowing | Surface | 60–120 kips | Lifetime |
| Grade-Beam Reinforcement | Severe differential settlement | Full perimeter | Varies | Lifetime |
Every pier is load-tested to 1.5–2× design load before final acceptance.
Step 4: Controlled Lifting & Monitoring
We never “jack the house up fast.” Rapid lifting cracks drywall, misaligns plumbing/electrical and creates new problems.
Our Lifting Protocol:
- Hydraulic jacks placed at engineered intervals
- Incremental lifts of 1/8–1/4 inch per cycle
- Constant laser-level monitoring (0.1-inch precision)
- Simultaneous interior & exterior checks for new cracks
- Pauses every ½ inch to allow structure to settle
Average lift: 1.5–4 inches. We stop at “level enough” (usually within 0.5–1% slope) — not “perfectly level” (which can over-stress the structure).
Step 5: Drainage & Moisture Corrections (The #1 Reason Repairs Fail)
90% of repeat foundation problems are caused by recurring moisture — not poor original construction.
Mandatory Corrections We Perform:
- Re-grade soil to slope 6 inches in first 10 ft away from foundation
- Install French drains & surface drains where needed
- Extend downspouts 5–10 ft from perimeter
- Apply waterproof membrane to exterior walls below grade (when excavated)
- Install sump pump & battery backup if high water table
These steps are required for our lifetime warranty to remain valid.
Step 6: Cosmetic & Structural Finishing
After stabilization:
- Patch & texture interior/exterior cracks
- Re-pour concrete where piers penetrate slab
- Seal all penetrations
- Final slope verification
- Engineer’s final sign-off letter
We photograph every stage for your records (insurance & resale value).
Why Completed Home Improvements SD Is Trusted for Foundation Work
- California Contractors License #1045778
- Full workers’ comp & $2M general/pollution liability
- Partnerships with 6 local structural engineers
- Lifetime transferable warranty on piering & anchoring
- Direct insurance billing & detailed documentation
- 4.9-star average across hundreds of verified reviews
Free services when you start:
- In-home level survey & moisture mapping
- Engineer consultation (included)
- 3D digital elevation model of your foundation
- No-obligation written repair plan & fixed-price quote
Call (619) 746-7871 or email help@completed-sd.com today.
Conclusion
Foundation damage is progressive — waiting makes every repair more expensive and invasive. Completed Home Improvements SD combines forensic evaluation, third-party engineering, permanent stabilization methods, controlled lifting, drainage corrections and full cosmetic restoration to deliver repairs that last.
Don’t risk another year of settlement cracks and sticking doors. Get the accurate diagnosis and lifetime fix your home deserves.
Contact us at (619) 746-7871 or help@completed-sd.com for your free foundation evaluation.
Visit Completed-SD.com or follow us on Facebook for real project updates.
Your home’s foundation is too important to trust to shortcuts.
