Building Foundations for a Strong Future
Reliable Foundation Contractors
At House Lifters Northwest, we are committed to providing reliable foundation services that you can count on. We have a team of skilled contractors who are equipped to handle any project, big or small.
Comprehensive Foundation Solutions
We offer comprehensive foundation solutions that are tailored to meet your specific needs. From designing and planning to installation and maintenance, we provide end-to-end services that ensure your project is a success.
Cutting-Edge Technology
We use the latest technology and equipment to ensure that our foundation services are efficient and accurate. Our advanced equipment allows us to complete projects quickly and with minimal disruption to your daily operations.
Premium Quality Materials
At House Lifters Northwest, we use only the highest quality materials for our foundation services. Our materials are sourced from trusted suppliers and are designed to withstand even the toughest weather conditions.
Affordable Prices
We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality foundation services. That's why we offer our services at affordable prices without compromising on quality. Contact us today to get a free quote for your project.
Exceptional Customer Service
We are committed to providing exceptional customer service. Our team is always available to answer your questions and provide you with the support you need. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients are fully satisfied with our services.
PROFESSIONAL HOUSE LIFTING
House Lifters Northwest is a specialized division of Excavators Northwest, created to focus on one of our most in-demand and complex services: professional house lifting.
Owner Frank Shields brings 35+ years of hands-on lifting and excavation experience to every project. His background covers hundreds of successful lifts across the Pacific Northwest — from restoring century-old Craftsman homes to preparing modern builds for additional living space. Frank is known for his precise craftsmanship, calm problem-solving, and clear communication.
Our team understands the unique challenges of Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods, including older housing stock, steep slopes, high groundwater, narrow city lots, and strict building codes. We approach every project with safety, efficiency, and your long-term peace of mind as our top priorities.
A MESSAGE FROM FRANK
Hi, I’m Frank Shields. I’ve been lifting homes for over three decades, and I still take pride in seeing a project completed the right way.
My philosophy is simple: treat every home as if it were my own. That means using the right methods, keeping you informed, and never cutting corners.
Whether you’re lifting for structural repairs, flood protection, or start a dream project, I’ll personally make sure the work meets my standards — and yours.
WHY CHOOSE HOUSE LIFTERS NORTHWEST?
- 35+ years of proven expertise in house lifting, excavation, and foundations
- Owner-led oversight — Frank mentors our crew to ensure a successful lift
- Advanced technology — Unified hydraulic, zero-clearance, and air bag-assisted methods
- Custom solutions for Seattle’s challenging sites and soil conditions
- Clear, honest communication at every stage
- Environmentally conscious methods that save resources and protect your home
house lifting & elevation
We raise homes for:
- Foundation repair or replacement — Eliminating cracks, shifting, or settling
- Creating full-height basements — Turning wasted crawlspace into valuable living space
- Flood protection — Elevating your home above FEMA and city flood levels
- Structural stabilization — Correcting leaning or out-of-level homes
Our unified hydraulic lifting system ensures your home rises evenly at all points, preventing twisting, cracking, or frame stress.
FOUNDATION REPLACEMENT
Foundations built decades ago often lack the steel reinforcement, waterproofing, and seismic resilience needed for today’s standards. We replace them with modern, reinforced designs built to withstand Seattle’s soil movement and seismic activity.
Our foundation division, Excavators Northwest, will handle your foundation replacement needs.
FOUNDATION REPAIR
Once lifted, we can make repairs to your existing foundation by:
- Attaching custom engineered brackets, built in-house to control quality and keep costs down, then driving pipe piles to prevent further settling of the foundation
- Installing helical anchors
- Stabilizing and plating cracks in the walls.
Our foundation division, Excavators Northwest, will handle your foundation repair needs.
BASEMENT DIG-OUTS & CONVERSIONS
Maximize your home’s potential by turning a crawlspace into a full-height basement. Common uses include:
- Additional bedrooms or in-law suites
- Legal rental units for extra income
- Home offices, gyms, or media rooms
We handle excavation, waterproofing, drainage, and foundation wall installation for a complete transformation.
Our foundation division, Excavators Northwest, will help you make your basement dig-out project or basement conversion a reality.
FLOOD MITIGATION
Seattle’s weather patterns and rising water tables have made flooding a growing concern. Lifting your home can:
- Protect against basement or crawlspace flooding
- Lower flood insurance premiums
- Meet FEMA floodplain requirements
- Increase property value and peace of mind
specialized lifting systems
Unified Hydraulic Lifting Systems
Our primary method for most lifts, this system uses multiple hydraulic jacks connected to a central control panel, allowing precise, synchronized movement.
ADVANTAGES
- Perfectly even lifts down to fractions of an inch
- Reduced risk of structural damage
- Faster completion times with less disruption
HOW IT WORKS — OUR PROCESS
- Assessment & Planning
We map out weight distribution and structural integrity, then determine jack placement and capacity. - Foundation Separation
The home is carefully disconnected from its foundation for clean, stable elevation. - Synchronized Raising
Hydraulic jacks lift the house in unison, controlled through a central system to maintain balance and alignment. - Foundation Work
Once lifted to the desired height, any foundation repairs can take place, or a new code-compliant foundation is built below. - Settling & Finalization
The house is gently lowered onto its new base, precisely aligned and secured. Final inspections verify stability and safety.
WHY WE CHOOSE UNIFIED SYSTEMS
- Ideal for large or multi-story homes where uneven jacking risks structural damage.
- Perfect for tight Seattle lots, where controlled, compact lifting is essential.
- Reduced risk of cracking, tilting, or misalignment—all thanks to synchronized operation.
- Faster project timelines mean less disruption and quicker returns to your daily life.
In short: House Lifters Northwest uses unified hydraulic lifting to deliver safe, efficient, and precise outcomes—critical for protecting your investment, your home’s structure, and the neighborhood you call home.
Zero-Clearance House Lifting
Ideal for tight urban lots where side yard space is limited or neighboring homes are close. We work to preserve your property and minimize impact, while keeping your neighbors happy by staying inside the property lines.
Air-Bag Assisted Lifting
Used when clearance is extremely limited or for delicate structures, industrial lifting airbags slide into place and inflate slowly to raise the home with even, gentle pressure. Best for sites where traditional jacks can’t be positioned, such as when there is zero clearance between the floor joists and dirt in the crawlspace.
Get a Free Estimate
Contact us today to schedule a free estimate. Our team will evaluate your project and provide you with a detailed quote.
house lifting is a sustainable construction option
Eco-Friendly Advantages
Eco-Friendly Advantages
Eco-Friendly Advantages
House lifting is one of the most sustainable construction choices you can make:
- Preserves existing structures — Keeps tons of material out of landfills
- Lower carbon footprint — Less new material production and transport
- Protects landscaping — Avoids large-scale excavation damage
- Creates upgrade opportunities — Easier access for insulation, plumbing, and electrical improvements
Built Green Benefits
Eco-Friendly Advantages
Eco-Friendly Advantages
House lifting also aligns with Built Green principles, offering a more sustainable alternative to demolition and rebuilds. By lifting instead of replacing your home, you:
- Reduce waste by preserving existing materials and preventing demolition debris from entering landfills.
- Conserve resources by reducing demand for new lumber, steel, and concrete.
- Preserve neighborhood character by keeping the original architecture intact while adapting it for modern living.
- Improve efficiency with opportunities to install insulation, energy-efficient windows, and updated HVAC systems during the lift.
- Protect natural surroundings by minimizing disturbance to mature trees, gardens, and soil around your home.