Frequently Asked Questions
What is your service area?
Prior to the storm, our service area included most of NJ, although we primarily served the shore. Due to the high volume of calls we are receiving at this time, we have had to limit our service area to Long Beach Island and Manahawkin. Please check back with us periodically for updates, this will likely change in the future.
What is my Advisory Base Flood Elevation?
Please go to: http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/table and put your address in the form, and select “Get Detail.” Your new BFE and Zone will be listed.
My ABFE is 10, does that mean I have to raise my house up 10 feet?
No, the ground is not zero. If the ground around your home is at base 3′ and your first floor is 2′ off the ground, that would mean your first floor is currently at 5′ and you need to go up another 5′ to be at the Base Flood Elevation of 10′
Will raising my home damage the interior of my home and my belongings?
In most cases we leave all the furniture in place, pictures on the wall and dishes in the cabinets. Despite popular misconception, sheet rock remains intact and windows do not break or even crack. The house is raised gradually over the course of an entire day, a few inches at a time. However, if your house is on a slab, we raise it from the inside, which does damage the walls. Also, we raise only the house, the slab floor stays down, and we build a new floor system (joists and sub-floor), on your new foundation.
My house is on a block foundation, don’t I need piling?
Piling or a concrete grade beam and pier foundation is required only in what is called the “V” zone. If you are not in the V zone, we build a continuous concrete block foundation, under the perimeter of your home.
I was told it was about $20,000 to raise my home, is this true?
Yes, and no. That is what a house raiser might charge to raise and lower your house only. They typically work for Contractors as a Sub-contractor. You also will need to hire a contractor for all the preliminary work that is needed prior to raising. While the house is up in the air your contractor will build your new foundation and then complete the finish work and reconnects, when the house is lowered. David Construction LBI House Raising is both a construction company and a house raising company. The cost for the average house raising package will vary, depending on house size, and options such as height, decks/step size and materials, garage package, etc. Please go to: https://www.lbihouseraising.com/services/ and scroll down to HOUSE RAISE PACKAGE: WHAT’S INCLUDED it a typical house raise to Base Flood Elevation.
Will I save money on flood insurance for my home?
Yes, if you bring your house at least up to the BFE, which varies depending on your location, you should see a reduction in your rates. Depending on which township you live in, you will need raise your house 1′-2′ above BFE, or you may raise to garage height.
I have water under my house, is this a problem?
Yes, water under your home causes mold, wood rot, and settling. Building code demands that we fill the cavity under your home, to grade, with mason sand, this will elevate pooling.
My floors are settling, will they be level when you are finished?
Absolutely, they will not only be level, but on a firm footing. When we replace your footings, we bring them up to modern building standards, 10″ x 32″ spread footings. Many old footings on LBI are 16″ x 8″.
What other services does your company provide?
LBI House Raising and Contractors, Inc. is affiliated with LBI Construction, Inc., formerly David Leonetti Construction, LLC. We were first, and still are, a full service construction company building complete homes, additions and major renovations. We began our house raising division because there was such a great demand for it with many of our jobs.