Helical Piers Price Explained for Homeowners

When looking at helical piers price, the cost of installing screw‑type steel piers used to stabilize a settling foundation. Also known as screw piles, it matters to anyone fixing structural issues without a full house lift.

Another key term you’ll see is helical piers, steel shafts with helical plates that are driven deep into the ground to bear loads. They come in sizes from 6 to 24 inches in diameter, each plate adding pull‑out strength. The material is usually galvanized steel, and the installation requires a hydraulic driver. Because they skip concrete footings, they’re faster and often cheaper than traditional methods.

Understanding foundation repair, any method used to restore a building's structural integrity when the footings have shifted or cracked helps you see why helical piers are popular. Foundation repair can involve wall anchors, concrete underpinning, or carbon‑fiber straps. Each option has a different price point, and the choice often depends on soil type, load requirements, and how much of the foundation is affected.

One alternative you’ll encounter is underpinning, the process of extending an existing foundation deeper into stable soil using concrete or steel piles. Traditional underpinning usually costs more because it needs excavation, formwork, and a longer cure time. By contrast, helical piers are installed in minutes per pile, reducing labor hours and site disturbance.

So, how do these pieces fit together? Helical piers price is shaped by several factors: the number of piles needed, depth to reach load‑bearing soil, steel grade, and local labor rates. Deeper installations mean longer drive times and potentially larger equipment, which adds to the bill. In soft clay, you may need more piles spaced closer together, while solid sand can allow fewer, longer piers.

Soil conditions act as the hidden driver of cost. If a site sits on expansive clay, engineers often recommend a higher density of piers to counteract swelling‑shrink cycles. Conversely, stable granular soil reduces the number of piers, trimming the price. A quick geotechnical test can save you from buying more piers than necessary, and it’s a smart step before any budget is set.

Labor is another big piece of the puzzle. Certified contractors charge per pile, plus a mobilization fee for the truck and driver. In the UK, typical rates range from £150 to £250 per pier, but deep or hard‑to‑reach locations can push the cost above £300 per unit. Materials themselves—steel shafts, helical plates, and corrosion protection—make up roughly 30‑40% of the total price.

When you add up material, labor, and site‑specific adjustments, the overall construction cost becomes clearer. Many homeowners compare the helical piers route to traditional underpinning and find savings of 20‑40%, especially when time is critical. Faster installation also means less disruption to daily life, which is a non‑financial benefit worth noting.

Budgeting tips: get at least three quotes from contractors who specialise in helical pile installation, ask for a breakdown that shows steel, labor, and any extra fees. Verify that the contractor includes a post‑installation load test; it’s a small cost that guarantees the work meets design specs. Also, check if the quote includes disposal of any excess material, as hidden fees can creep in.

Finally, consider the long‑term value. Properly installed helical piers can protect a home for decades, preventing costly floor cracks, door misalignments, and resale value loss. When you weigh the upfront spend against future repair avoidance, the price often looks more like an investment.

What’s Next?

Below you’ll find articles that dive deeper into foundation crack sizing, DIY repair methods, cost comparisons, and real‑world case studies. Whether you’re scouting for exact price figures or need guidance on choosing the right repair method, the collection gives you practical insight to make an informed decision.