Same slab, two very different quotes. A tear-out and new pour across 400 square feet runs $4,000 to $8,000. A poly lift on that same slab costs closer to $2,000 or $3,000, and the job takes a single day.
The math on whether it is cheaper to pour a slab or polyjack lands in the same place for most homes we assess. The bigger factor is the water source that created the void underneath.
Cheaper to Pour a Slab or Polyjack? The Numbers
What Full Replacement Costs
Replacement starts around $10 per square foot and climbs toward $22 per square foot. That is how a 400 square foot space reaches the $4,000 to $8,000 range.
That price covers more than concrete. You pay for demolition, haul-off, framing, the pour itself, and the cure time that follows. Every one of those line items adds labor.
What a Poly Lift Costs
A poly lift targets the void under the slab rather than the slab itself. Crews inject polyurethane foam through small ports, raise the concrete back to grade, and leave the surrounding surfaces intact.
Fewer line items mean a smaller invoice, which is why the same repair usually lands between $2,000 and $3,000.
Pro Tip: Ask any contractor for a per-square-foot figure on both options. The gap between repair and replacement is usually wide enough to make the decision obvious.
Why Project Timelines Matter as Much as Price
Replacement is a Multi-Day Job
A pour is never a single-day event. Tear-out comes first, structural framing follows, and then the concrete needs time to cure before anyone walks on it.
Inside a home, that timeline gets far more disruptive. Kitchens, basements, and garages stay unusable while daily life continues around the work zone.
A Poly Lift Wraps Up in One Day
Most poly lift repairs finish in a single visit. Our crews arrive, complete the lift, and clear out. You keep your driveway, your floor, and your schedule.
Need expert help deciding whether it is cheaper to pour a slab or polyjack on your property? Contact KC Pier for a free consultation.
Does a Repair Perform as Well as New Concrete?
Performance After the Lift
A properly executed poly lift performs just as well as a fresh pour. The slab returns to grade, the foam fills the void underneath, and the surface carries load the way it should.
Why the Crack Formed Matters More
Concrete cracks. That part is normal. What deserves attention is the condition that opened a void beneath the slab in the first place, and water is almost always the answer. A new pour placed over an unresolved water problem will settle again.
Key Takeaway: Treating the symptom without correcting the water source sets you up for a second repair. Fix the cause, then fix the concrete.
How Our Full-House Assessment Protects Your Investment
Water Management Comes First
Every repair we perform at KC Pier begins with a full-house assessment. We evaluate the foundation and the slab from a water management perspective, because that is where most settlement problems start. Tracing those water sources is one of the things our team does best.
Structural Consultants Review the Whole Picture
Our structural consultants look at the property as a complete system rather than one damaged section. That approach lets homeowners move forward in good faith, confident the repair will hold up across years of ownership rather than a single season.
Ready to Get a Straight Answer on Your Slab?
Bring us the cracked driveway, the sunken garage floor, or the settling basement slab, and we will show you exactly what is happening underneath it. Call KC Pier or request your free assessment today. We will give you an honest answer on whether it is cheaper to pour a slab or polyjack for your home.
