Comparison · Updated Nov 5, 2026
Pier and beam vs slab foundation repair: cost, pros and cons
Your foundation type decides what can go wrong, how it's fixed, and what it costs. Here's the side-by-side comparison, with every number cited.
Side-by-side comparison
| Pier and beam | Slab | |
|---|---|---|
| Repair cost range (2026) | $750–$25,000 (Angi); typical $6,000–$14,000 (Angi) | $350–$20,000 (Angi) |
| Common fixes | Reshimming, adding or replacing piers, replacing beams | Piers under settled areas, mudjacking, crack repair, drainage |
| Typical unit costs | Reshim $1,200–$4,000; add pier $800–$4,000 ea; replace pier $2,000–$6,000 ea; beam $400–$1,200 ea (Angi) | Piers $1,000–$3,000 ea; mudjacking $500–$1,300 (Angi) |
| Access | Crawl space gives access underneath | Work is from the perimeter or by tunneling/breaking through the slab |
| Ongoing upkeep | Angi notes expansive clay can mean reshimming every 2–3 years | Drainage and moisture control around the slab |
Pier and beam: pros and cons
- Pro: easier to inspect and adjust from below; minor settling can often be fixed with shims.
- Pro: plumbing is reachable without breaking concrete.
- Con: wood beams and joists are exposed to moisture and pests and need maintenance (Angi).
Slab: pros and cons
- Pro: no crawl space to maintain.
- Con: on expansive clay, settlement often means piers, and the pier count drives the price.
- Con: under-slab plumbing leaks are harder to reach. See under-slab leak referrals.
Which matters more: the type or the cause?
The cause. On San Antonio's shrink-swell clay (Texas Master Naturalist), moisture swings drive movement under both types. A good inspection explains the cause before anyone prices a fix. Price your scenario with the house leveling calculator.
Want a real number for your home?
Calculators and guides give ranges. A free inspection from one vetted, independent local contractor gives you a written quote. No cost, no obligation.
Get my free inspection →Frequently asked questions
Is pier and beam or slab repair cheaper?
It depends on the problem. Angi lists pier and beam repairs at $750–$25,000 and concrete slab repairs at $350–$20,000 in 2026. A simple reshim on pier and beam ($1,200–$4,000) can cost less than lifting a slab on piers.
How do I know which foundation I have?
If there are vents or an access door near the base of your exterior walls and space under the floor, it's likely pier and beam. If the floor sits directly on a concrete pad, it's a slab.
Keep reading
- Foundation repair cost in San Antonio: the 2026 guide
- 7 signs you need foundation repair in San Antonio
- Steel vs concrete piers: costs and trade-offs compared
- Foundation repair methods compared: what each costs and when it fits
- How to choose a foundation repair company in San Antonio: a checklist
- Foundation repair cost calculator
- House leveling and pier cost calculator
Sources cited on this page: Angi, How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost? (updated Oct 26, 2026); Angi, How Much Does Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Cost? (updated Sep 18, 2026); Texas Master Naturalist, Alamo Area Chapter: Bexar County Soils; Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation, Technical Bulletin IHB TB 10-01 (Foundations on Expansive Soils). Cost figures are national, not San Antonio quotes.
LevelSATX Foundation Network connects San Antonio homeowners with vetted, independent foundation repair contractors. We don't perform repairs; participating contractors pay us for referrals.