Pier-and-beam repair for 1920s–1950s Sacramento homes.

Pier-and-beam construction in Land Park, East Sac, Curtis Park, Old North Davis — these homes have served their owners 70–100 years and most of the original framing is still sound. The piers, however, often aren't. Network specialists replace failing piers, sister deteriorated beams, and preserve original redwood where structurally viable. Jobs in older Sacramento and Davis homes run $2,800–$11,400 depending on number of piers and whether beam replacement is needed.

TYPICAL SCOPE

$2,800 – $11,400

DURATION

2 – 5 days

PERMITS

Yes — structural

WARRANTY

Lifetime structural · 10-year fasteners

What fails in 80-year-old pier-and-beam

Pier deterioration — original brick or stone piers crumble at the base from cyclic moisture. Concrete-block piers from 1940s+ tend to crack at the mortar joints.
Sill plate rot — the bottom plate where the home sits on the piers, often the first thing to fail in wet crawls
Beam sag — main girder deflects under load over decades
Mudsill termite damage — the wood-to-concrete transition is the most common termite entry point

What the repair scope typically involves

Temporary shoring while work proceeds (no, the house won't fall)
Failing piers removed; new concrete piers poured per local frost depth
Rotted sill plates cut out and replaced with pressure-treated lumber
Sistered beams (new 2x10 or 2x12 alongside the original) where beam sag is excessive
Original redwood preserved everywhere it's structurally sound — these homes have soul, and the network respects that
Anchor-bolting where seismic upgrade is warranted (separate scope, can be combined)

What network specialists won't do: rip out original redwood "because it's old." If the wood is still sound — and 80-year-old old-growth redwood often is — it stays. The repair preserves the home's character. Specialists who treat every old beam as disposable are not in our network.

Common questions

Can I get earthquake retrofit done at the same time?

Yes — and you should. Sill-plate replacement is the right time to add anchor bolts; pier replacement is the right time to add cripple-wall sheathing. Bundled cost is 30–40% lower than doing them separately. Network specialists can often combine the work.

How long can I wait if the floor isn't sagging yet?

Pier-and-beam failure is usually a 5–15 year process. If a network inspection flags early deterioration, action within 2–3 years is reasonable. Don't wait until you can see the floor sag from across the room.