House lifting · Dover, NH
House lifting in Dover, NH
We raise Dover homes on our own hydraulic jacking systems so the foundation underneath can be rebuilt, the basement can get real headroom, or the house can sit above flood level near the tidal rivers.
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Lifting in Dover
Why Dover homeowners lift their houses.
Most lifts we do in Dover start with a foundation problem. Older homes around downtown and Dover Point often sit on stone or block walls that have bowed, settled or started letting water in, and the cleanest fix is to raise the house, build a new foundation and set it back down.
Homes near the Cochecho, the Bellamy or Great Bay have a second reason. If a lot falls inside a mapped flood zone, raising the house above the Base Flood Elevation can bring it into line with the rules and protect it in a storm.
Downtown lots can be tight, so we plan where the steel, cribbing and equipment will go before the lift begins, keeping the work safe for the house and the neighbors.
Lifting snapshot
Common reasons
New foundation, added headroom, flood elevation
Equipment
Our own hydraulic jacking systems and cribbing
Typical timeline
About one week to several weeks, depending on the house
During the lift
Utilities are disconnected and the home is not lived in
Permits
Building permit through the City of Dover
When to lift
Signs a Dover home needs a lift.
Lifting is a big step, so we only recommend it when it is the right fix.
Foundation
The foundation is past repair
When walls are bowing, crumbling or settling unevenly, lifting the house lets us replace the whole foundation instead of patching it.
Flood zone
The house sits too low
For riverfront and Great Bay lots in a flood zone, raising the house above the Base Flood Elevation can lower risk and help with insurance.
Space
You want more room below
Low cellars in older Dover homes can be turned into usable space by lifting the house and pouring taller walls.
How it works
How a lift comes together
Every lift follows the same careful order, planned around your house and your lot in Dover.
01
Site visit
We look at the framing, the foundation, access for equipment and whether the lot is in a flood zone.
02
Plan & permits
We plan the lift, arrange utility disconnects, pull the city permit and call 811 Dig Safe.
03
Raise & support
Steel beams go under the house and our hydraulic jacks raise it evenly onto cribbing.
04
Build & set down
The new foundation is built, the house is lowered onto it, and the site is backfilled and graded.
FAQ
House lifting in Dover: common questions
Can you lift an older Dover home with a stone foundation?
Yes. Older homes with stone or block foundations are some of the most common lifts we do. We check the framing first so we know the house can be raised safely.
Will lifting help with flood insurance in Dover?
Raising a home above the Base Flood Elevation is one of the main ways to lower flood risk, and it can affect insurance. Your insurer sets the actual rate, so we suggest asking them with your elevation details.
Does FEMA help pay to elevate a home?
It can. Homes with an active National Flood Insurance Program policy that are substantially damaged may qualify for up to $30,000 in Increased Cost of Compliance coverage toward elevation.
Can we stay in the house during the lift?
No. Utilities are disconnected while the house is raised and supported, so the home cannot be lived in until it is set back down and reconnected.
More in Dover
Related work in Dover.
Lifting is often one part of a bigger project. These pages cover the rest.
01
Foundation repair in Dover
The new foundation that goes under a lifted house.
Learn more →
02
Flood mitigation in Dover
Elevation, flood vents and piles for flood zone homes.
Learn more →
03
Structural repair in Dover
Sills and beams fixed while the house is up.
Learn more →
04
Excavation in Dover
Digging out for the new foundation and footings.
Learn more →
05
All services in Dover
Back to our Dover page and everything we do in the city.
Learn more →
06
House lifting in NH
How house lifting works across New Hampshire.
Learn more →
Let's talk
Thinking about lifting your Dover home?
Tell us about the house and what is going on underneath it. We will set up a free site visit and walk you through the options.
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Takes about 60 seconds. Or call (603) 664-7488.