When you decide to raise your home, you’re investing in better flood protection, lowered insurance costs, and the peace of mind that comes with a safer foundation. At DeVooght House Lifters, we understand how transformative—and sometimes nerve-wracking—this process can be. A successful lift hinges on careful preparation well before any hydraulic jacks or beams come on-site. We’ve compiled this pre-lift checklist to help you tackle each essential step. From confirming permits to safeguarding your valuables, these guidelines will empower you to manage the weeks or months leading up to your lift with confidence and clarity.
1. Understand the Scope and Timeline
Confirm the Project Details
- Review the Contract: Ensure you’ve read and understood all clauses—from the agreed-upon lift height to the payment schedule. Have a final conversation with your contractor to clarify any special conditions (like wave velocity zones or local building codes).
- Discuss the Timeline: Know the approximate start date, how long each phase might last (engineering checks, pre-lift preparations, the actual lift, etc.), and the predicted finish date. Keep in mind that factors like weather or unexpected foundation issues can shift this timeline slightly.
Align Your Goals and Expectations
- Set Realistic Expectations: Lifting isn’t just raising the house overnight. It involves days or weeks of prep, the lift itself, foundation work, and final touches.
- Identify Key Contacts: Get phone numbers for the project manager, engineering team, or any staff who’ll address your questions. Keep them handy if you need timely updates.
By mapping out the broader scope, you set the stage for a smoother experience. The next steps are about getting your home—and your life—fully ready for elevation.
2. Permits, Codes, and Paperwork
Verify All Permits Are in Place
- Building Permits: Ensure your lifting contractor secured the necessary local or county permits. If you’re in a flood zone, confirm you also have floodplain development permits.
- CAMA Permits (Coastal Area Management Act): If you’re in a sensitive coastal area, check with your contractor that any additional CAMA paperwork is done.
- HOA or Historic Overlay: Some neighborhoods require design review for exterior changes. If you’re in an HOA or historic district, confirm you’ve complied with their rules—particularly if the final lifted height changes your roofline.
Keep Copies of Approvals
- Organize Digital Files: Save electronic PDFs of permits, engineering drawings, and meeting minutes. Also print them as backups.
- Elevation Certificate: If you have an older version, keep it handy to compare with the new certificate you’ll obtain post-lift.
Ensuring your paperwork is complete avoids last-minute snags that might delay the lift. Municipalities often won’t allow the project to begin without official clearance, so this step is critical.
3. Confirm Financing and Insurance Considerations
Funding the Project
- Payment Schedules: House lifting can be a significant investment. Know the deposit amount, milestone payments, and any final balances due upon project completion.
- Loan or Grants: Some homeowners utilize home equity loans or specialized flood mitigation grants. If so, verify that lenders or grant providers have approved the project scope.
Insurance Implications
- Flood Insurance: After your lift, you’ll likely get an updated Elevation Certificate. However, confirm with your insurer if you’ll see immediate premium adjustments or if the new rate applies at your next policy renewal.
- Homeowners’ Insurance: Confirm whether your existing coverage extends to the lift process or if you need a rider for construction-related risks. Discuss any potential coverage gaps with your agent.
Sorting out finances and insurance now prevents mid-project stress. Ensure all arrangements are aligned so you’re financially prepared for both the immediate lift and potential changes in coverage afterward.
4. Protect Your Belongings and Interiors
Move or Secure Fragile Items
- Artwork, Collectibles, or Electronics: The lift process causes vibrations as we separate walls from the foundation. Pack or remove breakable objects from shelves. Store them upstairs or off-site to prevent damage.
- Furniture Adjustments: If you have heavy furniture on lower floors, shift it away from walls or place padding under legs. In some cases, storing it temporarily in a garage or storage unit might be safer.
Clear Out the Crawlspace or Basement
- Remove Personal Items: Tools, sports gear, or seasonal decorations in a crawlspace, basement, or ground-level storage area should be moved.
- Toss Unneeded Items: This is a prime opportunity to purge older clutter, as anything left might get jostled or damaged.
Preparing your home’s interior in these ways reduces the risk of breakage or dust damage from the lift. It also gives your contractor easy access, facilitating a smoother elevation.
5. Utility Disconnection and Preparations
Coordinate with Utility Providers
- Electrical: Your contractor typically arranges for safe shutoff, but confirm the date with your local power company. You may need a temporary pole if you’re living on-site or powering tools.
- Water and Sewer: Expect a temporary loss of service. If you’re staying elsewhere, plan accordingly; if you’re partially on-site, consider porta-potties or water tanks.
- Gas: Natural gas lines or propane tanks need capping or removal to avoid leaks during jacking.
Protect HVAC and Exterior Equipment
- Air Conditioning Units: If your A/C condenser sits near the foundation, you’ll likely need it removed or relocated before the lift. Make sure your HVAC contractor is scheduled.
- Propane Tanks: For safety, tanks might be disconnected and moved temporarily. Check local code on whether an elevated platform is needed afterward.
Securing or disconnecting utilities ensures no accidental ruptures or hazards once we begin raising your home. Always maintain communication with your contractor about any potential utility quirks.
6. Outdoor Preparation and Site Access
Clear the Perimeter
- Landscaping: Trim shrubs or tree branches near the foundation. Remove or protect fragile flower beds. Heavy equipment requires a safe working zone around your house.
- Fencing or Decorative Posts: If fences block equipment, they may need partial removal. Ornamental posts or garden structures close to walls might also need relocation.
Vehicle and Equipment Logistics
- Driveway Clearance: Contractors need space to park trailers, store materials, or stage lifts. If your driveway is narrow, find a temporary spot for your vehicles—like a neighbor’s driveway or public lot.
- Neighboring Properties: If your contractor needs to maneuver across a neighbor’s lot, secure written permission. This step fosters goodwill and eliminates conflicts.
Ensuring the exterior is free of obstructions allows the lifting crew to efficiently set up equipment, reducing labor hours and the chance of damage to your yard or adjacent properties.
7. Communicate With Your Neighbors
Courtesy and Transparency
- Notify Early: Give immediate neighbors a heads-up about your upcoming lift, explaining there might be short-term noise or traffic. Provide approximate dates for loud phases, like jacking or installing pilings.
- Address Their Concerns: If they worry about vibrations harming their structures, reassure them about the careful, incremental nature of the lift. Encourage them to voice any issues promptly.
Potential Shared Boundaries
- Fence Lines or Trees: If your boundary fence or tree branches overhang, coordinate any trimming with neighbors.
- Drainage Paths: Confirm that new landscaping post-lift won’t alter runoff onto adjacent lots.
Cooperative communication can ease tensions and ensure supportive neighbors rather than annoyed ones—making your project less stressful for everyone involved.
8. Confirm Temporary Living Arrangements
Decide Where You’ll Stay
- Off-Site: If you expect utilities to remain disconnected for days or you want to avoid the noise, secure short-term rentals or stay with family/friends.
- On-Site: Some owners choose to stay in an upper-level unaffected by the lift if it’s safe and permitted. Discuss this option thoroughly with your contractor—certain phases may disrupt daily life significantly.
Duration and Flexibility
- Plan for Possible Delays: Construction can be weather-dependent. If you’re renting a place, try to add a buffer in case storms or permit lags extend the project.
- Belongings Security: Whether living on- or off-site, keep valuables locked or stored away since multiple workers might access the property.
Having a clear plan for day-to-day living ensures minimal disruption and a calmer mindset throughout the project.
9. Final Walk-Through Before the Lift
Inspection With Your Contractor
- Interior Check: Together, walk through the lower floors. Confirm everything is cleared, fragile items removed, and important possessions secured.
- Exterior Markings: The contractor may have spray paint or flags marking where beams or jacks go. Clarify any questions about yard or driveway disruptions.
Last-Minute Utility Verifications
- Power and Water Shutoff: Double-check the disconnection date/time with relevant providers.
- HVAC or Gas: If these steps aren’t completed, the lift could be delayed, incurring extra cost or scheduling chaos.
This final check is your chance to ask lingering questions and confirm that all logistic pieces—paperwork, site prep, personal readiness—are in place.
10. Conclusion: Preparedness Leads to a Smooth House Lift
House lifting can be a game-changer for flood-prone properties, offering better storm resilience, insurance savings, and a bolstered property value. But success depends on thorough preparation long before jacks and beams arrive at your doorstep. By following this checklist—securing permits, relocating valuables, shutting off utilities, managing the exterior, and staying communicative with neighbors and your contractor—you’ll set the stage for a seamless, efficient lift.
At DeVooght House Lifters, we see how these pre-lift actions dramatically reduce stress and unexpected costs for homeowners. Good planning preserves your peace of mind, letting you focus on what truly matters: enjoying your safely elevated home for years to come.