Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average job cost?
The average job cost anywhere from $8,000-15,000 depending on the severity of the problem.

How long does the average job take?
The average project is from 4-8 piers and can take anywhere from 1-3 days.

Is it really noisy?
The equipment we use for installation sounds similar to a lawn mower.

Will my insurance pay for this?
We have found that insurance rarely pays for the repair, unless it was due to a flood or pipe break.

The cracks in my house close up in the wintertime. Does that mean they're getting better?
It sounds like expansive clay soil. In the summer, when it’s dry, the soil shrinks. In the winter, it gets wet and expands. If this happens for many years, your house might not ever come back to where it was originally.

What happens if I don’t do the repair?
It’s up to the homeowner whether or not they want to do the repair. It’s our job to provide the most economical fix for your situation. We can’t tell you if it’s going to get worse, but we can tell you it won’t get any better.

Do you have to bring in heavy machinery? What about my landscaping?
In most cases the holes for pier placement are dug by hand. With little to no damage on the landscaping. For residences, the largest piece of equipment we normally use is a mini excavator, which is only about 3 feet wide.

What happens if I want to sell my house?
The warranty is transferable to the new homeowner for a charge of $100.

What can I do to prevent foundation problems?
Drainage! Make sure that all of your down spouts are routing the water away from your house. We often see splash guards under down spouts and have found that they don’t work. If the slope of your yard directs the water to your foundation, you may want to look into installing a French drain system.

Won’t the drainage make my foundation sink even more because it’s dry?
In some cases yes. The goal is to have the amount of moisture in the soil the same all year round.

My chimney is leaning away from my house. Can you help?
Yes, we do it all the time. Many times chimneys don’t have an adequate footing for their weight. So, if you have a water issue, it can cause your chimney to settle away from your house.

Can anyone install a Ram Jack pier?
No. Ram Jack of Oregon is a certified installer of the Ram Jack System, and our employees go through a yearly training and retraining program.

I’ve seen other companies that have a similar product. Why should I choose Ram Jack?
We like to say, “have them show you theirs and we’ll show you ours”. Then ask which product would you like holding up one of your biggest investments.