How Much Does Bowing Basement Wall Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $500 - $10,000
The average cost to repair a bowing basement wall is $4,500. Most homeowners pay between $500 and $10,000, depending on the size, type, and extent of the damage.
A bowing basement wall can signify serious damage and should be repaired as soon as possible. The average cost to repair a bowing basement wall is about $4,500, but major repairs could cost $10,000 or more, depending on the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs. The price of repairing a bowing basement wall will vary based on the repair method used, the type of damage, and how widespread the problem is.
- Average
- $4,500
- Low end
- $350
- high end
- $12,000
Bowing Basement Wall Repair Cost Factors
Bracing your basement walls involves parts, labor, and finishing once the supports are in place. You should also consider a structural engineer’s report to learn more about the foundation issues that caused the bowing in the first place.
Type of Repair
Several different methods are available for repairing a bowed basement wall. Assuming a 20-foot-long wall, wall anchors will cost between $1,600 and $2,800, steel or carbon fiber straps will cost between $1,700 and $5,000, and helical tiebacks will cost between $6,000 and $7,200. Wall straightening with reinforcement straps will cost from $6,700 to $11,000.
| Type of Repair | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Wall Anchors | $1,600–$2,800 |
| Steel or Carbon Fiber Straps | $1,700–$5,000 |
| Helical Tiebacks Wall Straightening | $6,000–$7,200 |
| Wall Straightening | $6,800–$11,000 |
Wall Anchors
Wall anchors cost between $400 and $700 each and should be placed every 5 feet. This cost means you can expect to pay $80 to $140 per foot for this type of brace.
To install wall anchors, one steel plate is attached to your basement wall, and another is buried in the ground outside your wall. The two plates are connected with a steel shaft that is tightened to hold your wall in place.
Steel or Carbon Fiber Straps
Steel or carbon fiber straps go for $350 to $1,000 per strap and should go every 4 feet. With that considered, you can expect to pay between $85 and $250 per foot.
Straps are long strips of metal or carbon fiber installed vertically on your basement wall and anchored on the top and bottom. They are often made from steel or carbon fiber and sealed with epoxy for longevity.
Helical Tiebacks
Helical tiebacks are often the most expensive bowed basement wall repair option. Expect to spend from $1,500 to $1,800 per tieback. A tieback should be installed every 5 feet, resulting in a cost of $300 to $360 per foot.
If straps or anchors aren’t heavy-duty enough to fix the problem, helical tiebacks might be your best choice. Helical tiebacks are long steel, screw-like shafts drilled at an angle through your foundation wall into the soil outside your home. The shaft is twisted through a plate or channel attached to your interior wall until a specific torque is achieved.
Wall Straightening
The above options will not make your wall perfectly straight—rather, stop it from bowing any further and maybe remove some of the bow. Consider wall straightening if you want your wall to return to its original, upright state. Basement wall straightening will cost between $250 and $300 per foot, which is in addition to the cost of steel or carbon fiber straps at $85 to $250 per foot. The total cost for wall straightening is $340 to $550 per foot.
A contractor will excavate the soil around the exterior of the bowed wall to relieve pressure, then use hydraulic jacks inside to push the bowed wall back into its original spot. Additionally, reinforcement straps are installed to prevent future bowing.
Structural Engineer’s Report
You’ll pay between $250 and $500 for a structural engineer foundation inspection and a report on any necessary foundational repairs. This report is a wise investment, as you’ll receive an objective and accurate evaluation to reference when considering repairs.
“We’ve discovered the great value of structural engineers over the past few years,” says Robert Tschudi, Expert Review Board member and North Carolina-based homebuilder and remodeler. “Not only do they understand the structural integrity of your house, they know what is needed (support-wise) to do your renovation.”
Parts
Your basement wall bracing cost usually goes by the anchor or strap rather than by the hour. For wall anchors, you can expect to pay $400 to $700 per anchor every 5 feet. If you’re using steel or carbon fiber straps, these can cost anywhere between $350 and $1,000 per strap for every 5 feet.
How Much the Wall Has Bowed
Generally speaking, the less your wall is bowed, the less it will cost. You can repair just about any bowed basement wall with bracing options if the deflection is less than 2 inches. If the deflection is between 2 and 4 inches, the situation may still be salvageable but more expensive to repair.
Exterior Wall Conditions
Your bracing options depend on the conditions outside of your wall, too. If there is not enough room for an excavator to dig up the soil near your basement wall, you likely cannot use wall anchors or helical tiebacks. Similarly, if the soil around your basement wall is dense and hard to penetrate, your only option may be reinforcement straps, which are more costly than wall anchors.
Size of the Wall
The longer your basement wall, the more your wall repair will cost. For example, installing wall anchors on a 15-foot-long wall would cost from $1,200 to $2,100, while a 30-foot-long wall would cost from $2,400 to $4,200. The width of your wall is also a factor that affects cost. A wider wall will require longer anchors or tiebacks.
| Wall Length (ft.) | Average Cost – Wall Anchors |
|---|---|
| 15 | $1,200–$2,100 |
| 20 | $1,600–$2,800 |
| 25 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| 30 | $2,400–$4,200 |
Labor
The labor involved in repairing your wall has a significant effect on the cost. Labor-intensive methods like wall straightening, which requires excavation, can average between $340 and $550 per square foot. Faster repair methods like wall anchors and straps average between $80 and $250 per square foot.
Permits
Most bowing wall repair work will involve acquiring a permit. In some cases where the structural support is compromised, and significant repairs are necessary, your municipality may require items such as a structural engineer's plans and signature, a site plan, or a soil test. All these costs are additional, ranging from $100 to $2,000. To find out if you need a permit for foundation work, contact your local building department or ask your contractor.
Additional Repairs and Services
When having a bowing basement wall repaired, you may discover other related repairs are needed. Depending on the cause of the bowing, additional repairs may be necessary to prevent the problem from recurring.
Structural repairs: Bowing foundation walls can signify an underlying structural problem. Repairs like replacing damaged floors and joists can cost around $1,000, but more extensive foundation repairs can cost several thousand dollars or more.
Water intrusion repairs: Bowing is often a sign of water intrusion, so you’ll need to fix the water problem to prevent further damage. The cost to waterproof a basement averages around $5,000.
Foundation drainage installation: Improper drainage around the foundation can cause structural issues like bowing. Installing a drainage system can cost between $2,000 and $7,000.
Wall finishing: If you have a finished basement, you’ll need to finish the wall once it’s been repaired. Installing drywall costs an average of $1.50 to $3 per square foot, and DIYing the paint will run you about $100 to $200 for paint and supplies.
Bowing Basement Wall Repair vs. Replace
In most cases, you’ll want to hire a foundation repair contractor to fix your bowing wall rather than replacing it. Foundation wall replacement requires extensive excavation, placing your house on piers, demolishing the existing wall, and re-pouring a new one. Except in the most extreme circumstances, repair is the better option. Foundation repair will take less time, cost less, and be less disruptive than a replacement.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Basement Wall Repair
Repairing a bowing basement wall isn’t something you should attempt on your own. Getting the job done right requires the specialized knowledge and skill of a professional. Improper installation can lead to cracking walls or wasted time and money if the repairs don’t work out.
Ways to Save Money on Bowing Basement Wall Repair
"Safety is key when working around foundations, crawlspaces, and basements. Always wear protective gear like gloves, masks, and goggles, and ensure proper ventilation. Minor tasks like filling small cracks and basic inspections can be DIY projects, but leave structural repairs, extensive waterproofing, and significant drainage work to the pros."
— Tim O'Shea, The Build Pros
Repairing a basement wall costs real money. Unfortunately, there aren't many shortcuts to the solutions that will save money after the damage is present. However, catching the problem early by performing regular DIY inspections on your basement walls is an excellent way to minimize foundation repair costs before they happen.
The next best thing you can do to save big money is to hire a local foundation repair pro at the soonest sign of trouble. Doing so may mean having the ability to do the repair work before more (and more costly) damage occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the bowing basement wall is less than 2 inches, steel or carbon fiber straps are the best solution. For bowing that is more than 2 inches, wall anchors are the most effective. A contractor can help you decide the best method of repair for your home's foundation and also address the root cause of the trouble.
External pressure on the basement wall can cause it to bow inward. Soil, heavy with water saturation, is typically the main culprit. The soil exerts immense pressure on the wall, causing it to fail, at least partially. This is known as hydrostatic pressure — these situations can occur after rainfall or simply due to regular groundwater presence and may be temporary or more permanent.
Generally, a wall can bow up to 30% of its thickness, or around 2.5 inches for an 8-inch-thick structure, before it becomes an urgent situation. If your basement wall bows more than 1 inch, it's time to have a basement inspection to determine if a repair is necessary, depending on the soil conditions and structural specifics. Walls nearing 4 inches of bowing will require significant repairs. More than 6 inches of bowing usually means the wall will need replacing.