Polyjacking Cost Calculator: Estimate Foam Concrete Lifting Price
Calculate polyjacking cost for sinking driveways, sidewalks, patios, and garage floors based on slab type, sunken area, settlement depth, and site access. Compare against mudjacking pricing before you call a contractor.
💰 Estimate Your Project Cost
Get accurate cost estimates before calling a contractor — compare prices and plan your budget.
Concrete Prices 2026 Chart
Current concrete prices per yard, per sq ft, and per bag — updated for 2026 with regional cost breakdowns.
View Chart →Typical Polyjacking Rates by Slab Type
| Slab Type | Rate Per Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Porch/Step | $8 - $15 | Small area, higher effective rate due to mobilization fee |
| Sidewalk | $6 - $12 | Narrow sections often need fewer injection points |
| Driveway | $8 - $18 | Load-bearing, may need higher foam density |
| Garage Floor | $10 - $20 | Interior slab, precision lifting near foundation walls |
| Patio/Pool Deck | $8 - $16 | Decorative finishes may add labor time |
Rates sourced from HomeGuide 2026 and Angi 2026 national pricing surveys. Actual quotes vary by region, foam density required, and contractor overhead.
What Polyjacking Actually Involves
Polyjacking, also called foam jacking or polyurethane concrete lifting, raises sunken concrete slabs by injecting expanding polyurethane foam through holes about the size of a dime. The foam expands within minutes, filling voids under the slab and lifting it back to level.
Cured polyurethane foam weighs 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot, compared to 100 to 150 pounds per cubic foot for cured mudjacking slurry. This lighter weight means less stress on already-weakened soil, which lowers the risk of re-settling over time.
The tradeoff is cost. Foam material runs far more per unit volume than cement slurry, which is why polyjacking averages $5 to $25 per square foot versus $3 to $9 per square foot for mudjacking, per Angi 2026 data.
Sample Calculation Walkthrough
A homeowner has a 150 square foot sunken driveway section with moderate settlement of 1.5 inches. A local contractor quotes $12 per square foot with a $175 mobilization fee, in a national average pricing region.
| Base area cost: | 150 sq ft × $12.00 = $1,800.00 |
| Settlement multiplier (moderate): | 1.00x = $1,800.00 |
| Access multiplier (easy): | 1.00x = $1,800.00 |
| Region multiplier (national avg): | 1.00x = $1,800.00 |
| Mobilization fee: | + $175.00 |
| Total project cost: | $1,975.00 |
This works out to an effective rate of $13.17 per square foot once the mobilization fee is spread across the job. For comparison, the same job with mudjacking at $6 per square foot plus a $150 mobilization fee would total approximately $1,050, less than half the polyjacking price.
Common Estimating Mistakes
- Measuring the full slab instead of the sunken section: Only the area that actually needs lifting factors into the injection cost, not the entire driveway or patio surface.
- Confusing polyjacking rates with mudjacking rates: A quote of $6 per square foot is a mudjacking price. If a contractor calls that "foam" or "polyurethane," ask them to clarify the material before comparing bids.
- Assuming polyjacking fixes severe settlement: Settlement over 4 inches often indicates a soil or foundation problem that foam injection cannot permanently resolve.
- Ignoring the mobilization fee on small jobs: A $175 flat fee on a 30 square foot porch repair can represent 40% or more of the total cost.
- Not verifying foam density for load-bearing slabs: Driveways and garage floors often need higher-density foam than patios, which can affect the quoted rate per square foot.
Permits, Access, and Site Logistics
Most residential polyjacking jobs for driveways, sidewalks, and patios do not require a building permit since the work does not alter the structure, but check with your local building department if the slab is part of a permitted structure per IBC 2024 §1604 for structural verification requirements on foundation-adjacent work.
Site access affects labor time more than material cost. Contractors need to bring an injection pump and foam tanks close to the slab. Fenced backyards, narrow side gates, or tight urban lots that require hand-carrying equipment typically add 10% to 20% to labor charges, reflected in the access difficulty setting above.
Weather matters less for polyjacking than for mudjacking since the foam cures in about 15 minutes regardless of ambient humidity, though extreme cold can slow the expansion reaction slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polyjacking typically costs $5 to $25 per square foot, with most homeowners paying an average around $15 per square foot, per HomeGuide 2026 and Angi 2026 pricing data. Smaller jobs run toward the higher end because contractors charge a minimum mobilization fee regardless of area.
Yes. Mudjacking averages $3 to $9 per square foot while polyjacking averages $5 to $25 per square foot, per Angi 2026 and HomeGuide 2026 data. Polyjacking costs more because polyurethane foam material is significantly more expensive than cement slurry, though it cures in about 15 minutes versus 24 to 48 hours for mudjacking.
Polyurethane foam used in polyjacking cures in approximately 15 minutes and the slab can typically return to normal use the same day, per Angi 2026 data. This is much faster than mudjacking, which needs 24 to 48 hours before the slab can handle vehicle loads.
Polyurethane foam material costs far more per unit volume than cement slurry, and it requires specialized injection equipment and trained technicians. The foam also weighs only 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot cured, compared to 100 to 150 pounds per cubic foot for mudjacking slurry, which reduces re-settling risk but adds to material cost.
Polyjacking works best on settlement under 2 inches. Settlement beyond 4 inches often signals a soil or foundation issue that neither polyjacking nor mudjacking can permanently resolve, and may require pier-based foundation repair instead per structural assessment guidance.
DIY polyjacking is not practical for most homeowners because it requires a specialized hydraulic foam injection pump and precise material metering, per HomeGuide 2026. Overfilling can overlift or crack the slab, so most buyers hire a licensed concrete leveling contractor.
A 200 square foot section of driveway at an average polyjacking rate of $12 per square foot runs approximately $2,400 before mobilization fees, based on HomeGuide 2026 rate data. Use the calculator above with your actual measurements and quoted rate for a precise estimate.
Sources & Methodology
- HomeGuide, "How Much Does Polyjacking Cost?" (2026), homeguide.com/costs/polyjacking-cost
- Angi, "How Much Does Polyurethane Concrete Lifting Cost?" (2025), angi.com/articles/polyurethane-concrete-lifting-cost
- Angi, "Mudjacking vs. Polyjacking: What's the Difference?" (2024), angi.com/articles/mudjacking-vs-polyjacking
- International Building Code 2024, Section 1604, Structural Design Requirements
- ConcreteSlabCost.com, "Mudjacking vs Polyjacking vs Slab Replacement Cost 2026" (2026), concreteslabcost.com
Reviewed by site author. Last reviewed: July 2026.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes. For permitted structural work, foundations, multi-story construction, retaining walls over 4 feet, and commercial projects, calculations must be verified by a licensed structural engineer per IBC 2024 §1604. ConcreteCalculate.com is not liable for structural decisions made from these estimates.
🔒 Privacy Note
Calculations run entirely in your browser. No project data is stored or transmitted to our servers beyond the single request needed to process your inputs.
Unlock Your Complete Results
Your calculation is ready. Enter your email to unlock:
- ✔ Download a printable PDF estimate
- ✔ Get 2026 US concrete material prices
- ✔ Save your project calculations instantly
- ✔ Access contractor cost-saving tips