Mudjacking, Polyjacking, or Replacement?
Mudjacking costs $3 to $6 per square foot; polyjacking costs $5 to $25 and returns the surface to use in 15 to 30 minutes instead of 24 hours. Full replacement is the right answer only when the slab itself has failed. Here is how to choose correctly for your specific situation.
Mudjacking: Economical, Proven, Slightly More Disruptive
Mudjacking is the traditional concrete lifting method with a 50-plus-year track record. It is appropriate when: the concrete is sound but settled, the settlement is from simple void development or soil erosion rather than expansive soil movement, and the budget favors the lower cost over polyjacking’s speed and smaller holes. Mudjacking costs $3 to $6 per square foot and requires 24 hours before the surface is ready for traffic. The 1.5 to 2-inch drilled holes, though patched after injection, are slightly more visible than polyjacking holes.
Polyjacking: Faster, Cleaner, More Expensive
Polyjacking with expanding polyurethane foam is appropriate when: the surface needs to return to use quickly (ready in 15 to 30 minutes); the smaller drill holes (5/8 inch) are important for aesthetic reasons on a decorative surface; or the site has high groundwater conditions where the lighter foam is less susceptible to washout than mudjacking slurry. Polyjacking costs $5 to $25 per square foot, materially more than mudjacking to lift the same slab, and is the better choice for swimming pool decks, garage floors, and other surfaces where appearance and quick return to use matter most. (For more on this, see Polyurethane Foam Injection: A Homeowner’s Guide.)
Replacement: When the Slab Itself Has Failed
Full concrete replacement is the right choice when: the slab is cracked in multiple places or cracked through its full depth, the concrete is significantly deteriorated (scaling, spalling, or structural weakness), the slab is old enough that lifting it may cause it to crack during the process, or the settlement is from expansive soil movement that will cause re-settling after lifting. A contractor who assesses the slab condition and recommends replacement for a slab that is otherwise in good condition is not serving your interest; one who recommends leveling for a severely deteriorated slab is similarly not. (For more on this, see Hidden Costs of Concrete Leveling.)
Getting an Honest Assessment
The best concrete leveling assessment comes from a contractor who offers all three options and is willing to recommend replacement when that is the right answer. Ask directly: is this slab a good candidate for leveling, and why? A contractor who inspects the slab condition, checks for through-cracks, assesses the concrete quality, and explains their recommendation based on specific observations is providing an honest assessment. (For more on this, see How Much Does Concrete Leveling Cost?.)
Concrete Leveling Cost at a Glance
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mudjacking (cement-soil slurry) | $3 to $6 per square foot | A 100-sq-ft sunken section runs $300 to $600, though contractor minimums of $450 to $950 keep a job that small near $500. Ready for traffic in 24 hours. |
| Polyjacking (polyurethane foam) | $5 to $25 per square foot | The same 100-sq-ft section runs $500 to $2,500. Ready for traffic in 15 to 30 minutes. |
| Full concrete replacement (comparison) | $8 to $18 per square foot | including demolition and disposal. Mudjacking sits well below it, while foam on a badly settled slab can approach it. |
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on August 28, 2026. How we source cost data.
Add-ons: drainage correction ($300 to $4,000), crack repair ($150 to $800), joint sealing ($300 to $1,000). These are not included in leveling quotes but are needed for a durable result.
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making.