Helical Piers in Salt Lake City, UT: Costs and When You Need Them
Helical piers, sometimes called screw piles, are steel shafts with helical plates that get mechanically torqued into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil or bedrock, then get connected to a bracket that supports a foundation, addition, deck, or porch. In the Salt Lake Valley, they're a common choice for additions and light structural work because they can be installed with smaller equipment than steel push piers and don't require the full weight of the existing structure to install correctly, which matters on a new addition footing that isn't load-bearing yet. This guide covers what helical piers cost around Salt Lake City, when they make more sense than push piers, and how Wasatch Front soil and seismic conditions factor into installation depth and spacing.
By Homeowner Henry · Foundation Repair · Published August 29, 2026 · 8 min read
When helical piers make sense in Salt Lake City
Helical piers are typically the right call for new additions, porches, decks, and other lighter structures where there isn't yet an existing building weight to react against, which is the mechanism steel push piers rely on. They're also commonly used for underpinning lightweight structures or for retrofit support where access is limited.
In established homes needing full foundation underpinning, contractors more often reach for steel push piers, since the existing structure's weight helps drive them to refusal depth efficiently. A contractor recommending helical piers for a full basement underpinning job should be able to explain why, given that push piers are usually the more common and often more cost-effective choice for that specific scope in the Salt Lake Valley.
How Wasatch Front soil affects installation
On the Wasatch bench, in neighborhoods like Sugar House, Millcreek, and Cottonwood Heights, helical piers typically reach load-bearing capacity in well-drained gravel and cobble at more predictable, often shallower depths, which can make installation faster and slightly less expensive per pier in some cases.
On the valley floor, in Rose Park, Glendale, and areas near the Jordan River, deep lacustrine clay from the old Lake Bonneville lakebed often requires piers to reach greater depth before hitting adequate bearing capacity, and a shallow water table can complicate installation logistics, both of which tend to push per-pier cost toward the higher end of the local range.
In newer development areas like Daybreak, South Jordan, and Draper, much of the ground is engineered fill graded during large-scale development, so helical pier depth and spacing often depend more on how well that fill was compacted originally than on natural soil type.
Seismic considerations for helical pier installation
Because the Wasatch Fault runs through the Salt Lake Valley and parts of the valley floor carry elevated liquefaction risk according to USGS hazard mapping, a structural engineer sizing a helical pier system near the Jordan River or in other higher-risk zones should factor in seismic load, not just static building weight. Ask your contractor whether their engineer's letter addresses seismic design criteria specifically, particularly for additions or decks attached to older homes.
This matters especially for homes in the Avenues or Central City with unreinforced masonry construction, where helical piers supporting an addition or porch may need to be coordinated with the broader building's foundation bolting or seismic retrofit plan rather than designed in isolation.
What helical piers cost in Salt Lake City
Helical piers in the Salt Lake Valley typically run $1,400 to $2,600 per pier installed, with the range driven mainly by required depth, soil type, and access. A typical addition or porch project might use 4 to 8 piers, putting a full project in the $5,600 to $20,800 range before permit and engineering costs.
Add the structural engineer's letter, generally $500 to $1,000, and the Salt Lake City Building Services permit fee, which your contractor should itemize separately rather than folding into a vague lump sum. For comparison against steel push piers and other repair methods, see our full Salt Lake City foundation repair cost guide.
Choosing a contractor for helical pier work
Confirm the installer's DOPL license and classification through the Utah Construction Business Registry, and ask whether the pier spacing and depth are backed by a stamped engineer's letter specific to your address and soil conditions rather than a generic spec sheet. Get at least three written quotes itemizing pier count, depth targets, and permit costs.
If you're planning an addition or deck and want quotes from vetted local contractors experienced with Wasatch Front soils, you can get matched with a Salt Lake City foundation contractor rather than sourcing bids independently.
Typical cost ranges
| Helical piers (per pier) | $1,400 - $2,600 |
| Typical addition/porch project (4-8 piers) | $5,600 - $20,800 |
| Structural engineer evaluation letter | $500 - $1,000 |
| Deck footing helical piers (per pier) | $1,200 - $2,200 |
Ranges are general estimates gathered from homeowner-reported quotes, not an offer or a quote for your project.
Common questions
How much do helical piers cost in Salt Lake City?
Helical piers typically run $1,400 to $2,600 per pier installed in the Salt Lake Valley, with cost driven mainly by required depth and soil type. A typical addition or porch project using 4 to 8 piers runs $5,600 to $20,800 before permit and engineering fees.
Are helical piers better than steel push piers in Salt Lake City?
It depends on the project. Helical piers are usually the better fit for additions, decks, and porches without existing building weight to react against, while steel push piers are more common for underpinning an existing home's foundation, where they're often more cost-effective.
Do helical piers cost more on the west side of Salt Lake City?
Often yes. Deep lacustrine clay and a shallow water table in Rose Park, Glendale, and areas near the Jordan River can require piers to reach greater depth for adequate bearing capacity, which tends to push per-pier cost toward the higher end of the local range compared to Wasatch bench gravel.
Do helical piers need a permit in Salt Lake City?
Yes. Helical pier installation for a foundation, addition, or structural deck footing requires a permit through Salt Lake City Building Services, generally supported by a stamped engineer's letter describing pier depth and spacing.
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