Foundation replacement, partial or complete, through to the backfill
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When repair is no longer enough, we rebuild the affected section or the whole foundation, under a house that stays in place.
Solution ProFissure assesses your foundation on site free of charge within 24 hours, coordinates the engineer’s plan and the permit application, then replaces the compromised section or the entire foundation.
Our foundation replacement services
The word replacement covers two very different projects, with budgets that have nothing in common. Repair or replace? Our diagnosis first checks whether foundation repair will do: rebuilding the foundation of the house remains the last resort.
Partial replacement of one section
We demolish only the compromised portion, prepare the footing, then pour a new reinforced concrete foundation wall tied into the existing one. The rest of the perimeter is kept. This is the most economical route when a single side of the house has failed. Excavation is then limited to part of the lot.
Full replacement with house lifting
The house is shored, then raised on hydraulic jacks and temporary steel beams, with the brick supported where the cladding requires it. We excavate the entire perimeter, remove the old foundation, then pour new footings and reinforced concrete walls that comply with the Quebec Construction Code.
Replacing a rubble stone foundation
Older houses often sit on rubble stone or fieldstone, with no footing at the proper depth. This foundation replacement swaps that masonry for a new poured concrete foundation, with a drain and a membrane, while keeping the house, which stays shored throughout the work.
When to replace your foundation rather than repair
Past a certain threshold, repairing only postpones the bill. These are the signs that tip a case toward foundation replacement:
- A wall that bows, leans or has shifted by a measurable amount
- Poor-quality concrete crumbling in depth, with exposed steel reinforcement
- Structural cracks that reopen every year despite injections, with water infiltration and efflorescence
- Visible settlement: a sloping floor, doors and windows that stick
- Concrete blocks with failed mortar joints that have shifted out of line
- A footing that is missing or poured above frost depth
- Concrete damaged by pyrrhotite, confirmed by testing
According to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, pyrrhotite cracks concrete structures, while pyrite mainly heaves the basement slab. Both call for laboratory analysis before any decision is made.
Our 6-step foundation replacement process
An on-site inspection and a detailed, line-by-line quote come before every project.
Assessment, engineer and municipal permit
A structural engineer produces the intervention plans, then we file the permit application. Most municipalities require one: in Laval, a new foundation is subject to a permit (page in French), along with a certificate of location, so check with the City for a replacement. A locate request with Info-Excavation then precedes any excavation.
Shoring and lifting the house
For a full replacement, the structure rests on temporary supports and steel beams, then hydraulic jacks lift it. For a partial replacement, local shoring of the section is enough.
Demolition and excavation
We demolish the old foundation and excavate down to load-bearing soil, confirmed by a geotechnical study when the soil is uncertain. When the water table is high, the water is pumped out to keep the bottom of the excavation dry.
Footing, formwork and concrete pour
The new footing is poured below frost depth, at least 1.2 m (about 4 ft) deep in clay soil, then the walls are formed, reinforced and poured. The concrete must then cure before it takes the load of the building again.
French drain and membrane
The new foundation receives a new French drain, ¾ clear stone and a liquid rubberized membrane, then a Delta-MS dimpled membrane, just as in our French drain installation service. A sump below street level also calls for a backwater valve, as the Plumbing Code requires (RBQ sheet in French).
Lowering, backfill and site restoration
The house is set back down on its new foundation, the sewer, water and electrical connections are restored by the required licensed trades, then backfilling and compaction proceed in layers. We finish by grading the lot and restoring the lawn and the window well.
Does your foundation need replacing?
An expert from our company, which holds an RBQ licence, comes out at no cost within 24 hours and tells you whether a repair is still enough.
Foundation replacement prices
A partial replacement of a wall or section generally costs $20,000 to $45,000 in Quebec, in Canadian dollars before taxes. A full replacement without lifting falls between $40,000 and $90,000. It runs between $100,000 and $150,000 when lifting the house becomes necessary. The perimeter, bedrock, machinery access and the condition of the existing foundation all move the cost of the replacement. Our guide to the cost of a foundation replacement in Quebec breaks down each item.
How long a foundation replacement takes
A partial replacement is usually completed in one to two weeks. A full replacement with lifting takes four to eight weeks, depending on the weather, site access and concrete curing time. Winter complicates both excavation and curing, so most of these projects are scheduled between spring and fall.
Why trust us with your foundation replacement
A foundation replacement commits tens of thousands of dollars: it belongs with a licensed company that knows concrete, drainage and waterproofing. Solution ProFissure holds RBQ licence 5770-6285-01 and has more than 30 years in construction, including more than 10 in foundations. It completed more than 350 projects in 2024. The transferable 25-year warranty follows the property, a concrete selling point at resale. Our family business licensed by the RBQ operates out of Sainte-Sophie. Before you sign, also read our guide on how to choose a foundation contractor.
Foundation replacement in the Laurentians
Our crews cover the Laurentians, Laval, Lanaudière and Montreal’s North Shore, in residential work from bungalows to semi-detached homes, as well as light commercial. See our full range of foundation protection services.
FAQ on foundation replacement
01What is a foundation replacement?
It is the demolition of a foundation wall or of the whole foundation, followed by the construction of a new reinforced concrete foundation under the house. The replacement is partial when a single section is redone and the rest of the foundation is sound, and complete when the whole perimeter is rebuilt, often with house lifting. It becomes necessary when a repair can no longer restore the strength of the wall.
02How much does a foundation replacement cost?
Expect $20,000 to $45,000 for a partial replacement and $40,000 to $90,000 for a full replacement without lifting, before taxes. With house lifting, the budget falls between $100,000 and $150,000. Bedrock, lot access and basement depth explain most of the gaps between two quotes.
03Do I need a permit and an engineer?
Yes, for a new foundation. Most municipalities require a permit, such as Laval, which also asks for a certificate of location. Laval may also require a plan signed and sealed by an architect for a structural modification. A structural engineer is also involved when the house is lifted. We prepare these documents with you from the quote stage.
04Do I have to leave the house during the work?
For a partial replacement, the house generally stays livable. For a full replacement with shoring and lifting, the building must be vacated during the demolition, the pour and the lowering, for safety reasons. We give you these dates as soon as planning begins, so you can arrange temporary housing.
05How long does a foundation replacement take?
A partial rebuild is usually completed in one to two weeks. A full replacement with lifting takes four to eight weeks, depending on the weather, lot access and concrete curing time. Winter slows the job site, which is why these projects are planned between spring and fall.
06Does insurance cover a foundation replacement?
Rarely, because a deteriorating foundation comes down to wear, soil movement or an original construction defect, which policies generally exclude. Only a sudden and accidental event, such as a sewer backup covered by an endorsement, can justify a claim for part of the damage. Check your policy with your insurer before you sign the quote.
07What happens to the French drain during the replacement?
It is replaced in the same project. The new foundation receives a new French drain laid at footing level, clear stone, a waterproofing membrane and, where needed, a sump pit. Reopening the lot later would be expensive, so everything is taken care of while the trench is open.
08Does a foundation replacement add value to a home?
Rebuilding the foundation, with a drain and a membrane, reassures a buyer and a home inspector, especially in an older house. The transferable 25-year warranty follows the property and makes a strong case at resale. The real effect on the price depends on the market and on the condition of the rest of the house.
A foundation that needs rebuilding?
Free assessment, engineer’s plan and permit prepared with you, detailed quote.