Hey everyone! I live in a ranch-style home from the 1960s in the eastern US, with a main floor that covers about 2100 sqft. I've noticed that the floor isn't very level as you move across the main weight-bearing length of the house. I had two engineers check it out, and they confirmed that there are no major structural issues—just some minor repairs needed.
While I'm ready to handle those repairs, I really want a contractor to help with re-leveling the main floor from the basement while they're replacing or adding some support. Although I'm not sure of the exact measurements, I believe I know what's causing the unevenness, and the contractors tend to agree. Yet, they seem hesitant to commit to raising anything and prefer to just lock everything in place.
I'm curious why they might be so reluctant to help with the leveling—maybe liability concerns or the fact that it takes a long time to do it right? I don't need it perfectly straight, just closer to level than it is now. I'd be okay with repairing drywall and laying down new floors later. I'd rather not shim the floors later since the layout makes it tricky. Can someone shed light on what the general process would involve and why it might be seen as a bad idea? Thanks!
2 Answers
It sounds like you're on the right track with your concerns! A big part of the hesitation from contractors likely comes from liability issues. When they start raising parts of the house, they have to worry about how that might affect the rest of the structure. It’s a risk they might not want to take, especially if they can't guarantee a perfect outcome, as raising can lead to complications if not done gradually and correctly.
I recommend starting with that laser level to create a leveling map of your house. Once you have a visual representation of the issue, it’ll be easier to discuss options with contractors. They might be more on board once they can clearly see the extent of the problem! Overall, just raise those points slowly, and communicate everything well with whoever you hire.
Leveling can be a pretty complex job, and your thought process about wanting to avoid shimming is solid. If your house is visibly off-level, adding support beams may help stabilize the structure, but raising the floor isn't always straightforward. Sometimes it’s about managing expectations on how level you can actually get it without major work. It definitely sounds feasible, though! Just communicate honestly with your contractor about what you want and the budget you have in mind.
Thanks for your input! I understand that it's not going to be a perfect fix, but I’m willing to find a balance. Hopefully, with the leveling map in hand, I can find someone who’s willing to take on the project instead of just locking everything down!
Exactly! The mapping is crucial. Plus, showing a visual will help you make a stronger case to the contractors. Just make sure you're ready for the possibility of needing additional adjustments in the structure as things get leveled; sometimes underlying issues can show up once you start moving things around.