Bellingham Post and Beam Installation
A lot of older homes in Bellingham sit on a post and beam foundation, a system of wood posts, beams, and footings that carries the house from inside the crawl space. Over the years, posts settle, beams sag, and wood members deteriorate, and the structural integrity of the existing structure starts to slip. When that happens, the floors above are usually the first thing you notice. Foundation Restoration repairs, reinforces, and replaces post and beam foundations for property owners across Bellingham and Whatcom County, protecting both the home and the value of your home.
No pressure. No upselling. Just honest assessments and post and beam repairs done the right way.
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What Is a Post and Beam Foundation?
A post and beam foundation supports your home from below, inside the crawl space, rather than resting on a poured concrete slab. Vertical posts sit on footings and carry horizontal beams, and those beams carry the floor structure of the house above. It's one of the two most common foundation types in residential construction, along with slab foundations, and it's especially common in the older homes found throughout Whatcom County.
Because the whole system is built from wood and sits in a damp environment, it's sensitive to soil conditions, soil movement, and moisture over time. When any part of that support system weakens, the effects show up in the living space above. A few common problems tend to appear again and again in these homes, and left alone they turn small foundation problems into bigger ones. Post and beam repair is one of the more common projects we take on across our work area, alongside the full range of various structures we support throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County.
Signs of a failing post and beam foundation:
Sagging, sloping, or uneven surfaces in the floors
Bouncy or springy floors that used to feel solid
Posts that have shifted, tilted, or pulled off their footings
Visible cracks, wood rot, or crushing where posts meet beams
Doors and windows that stick as the structure moves
Caught early, these are straightforward repairs. Ignored, a sinking foundation can move from a nuisance toward real structural failure, so it's worth understanding what's happening under your home before it spreads.
When Post and Beam Repair Is the Right Solution
Not every soft spot means a full rebuild.
We look at the whole support system before recommending anything, because the right fix depends on what's actually failing. Different homes were built with different construction techniques, so the foundation of your home gets assessed on its own terms before we suggest a solution.
Post and beam repair is commonly recommended when:
Floors have started to sag or slope from settled posts or sagging beams
Wood members show rot, cracks, or crushing from moisture or age
Soil erosion or soil movement has shifted footings out of position
Nearby foundation walls are bowing, or your home's foundation has cracked as it moves
An older home needs its foundation brought back to a solid, level condition
A home inspection has flagged structural damage in the crawl space
We check the concrete condition, the footings, and every post and beam before we tell you what the home actually needs.
If a few reinforcements will do it, that's what we recommend. If more of the system needs work, we explain why.
Moisture is usually part of the story, so if there's a crawl space moisture problem feeding the rot, we address that too.
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STRAIGHT ANSWERS.
SOLID SOLUTIONS.
No pressure. No upselling. Just steady, professional guidance and installation. If you have noticed a crack in your foundation, a sloping floor, moisture in the basement, or a musty crawlspace, it can be hard to know where to start. We help you understand what you are looking at and work with you to find a solution that fits both your goals and the home.
Every person we asked referred Foundation Restoration. The guys were thorough in their initial evaluation, respectful of our home while working, and they had great communications at every step of the process. We’d be happy to work with FR again in the future.”
- Nicole, homeowner, Bellingham
How We Repair and Reinforce Post and Beam Foundations
Every home is different, so we match the repair to the structure and the soil conditions underneath it.
New Posts and Piers
When a post has settled or failed, we reinforce or replace it, and install new piers where needed, on proper footings to carry the load again and bring the floor back toward level.
New and Repaired Footings
When soil movement or erosion has undermined a footing, we repair or replace footings to give the posts a stable base.
Beam Reinforcement and Replacement
Sagging or deteriorated beams are reinforced, and replaced where the wood is too far gone, so the horizontal beams can carry the floor structure the way they were meant to.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
For related foundation walls that are bowing or cracked, carbon fiber reinforcement adds strength without major excavation.
Leveling
Once the support system is sound, we level the floors above, correcting the uneven surfaces that brought you to us in the first place.
Most of this work is done from inside the crawl space, which keeps disruption to the living area above to a minimum.
In cases where posts and beams alone aren't enough and the load needs to reach deeper, stable soil, foundation underpinning may be the better long-term fix, and we'll walk you through that option if it applies. Larger structural repairs sometimes call for a building permit, and we handle that as part of a clearly written scope of work.
Post and beam work often turns up alongside other repairs in the same home. While our crew is under the house, they may also spot a settled concrete basement floor, sinking concrete steps at the entry, or exterior concrete affecting the deck's stability out back. We handle those repairs too, so if the crawl space isn't the only thing that needs attention, you're not chasing down a separate contractor for every piece.
Residential and Commercial Post and Beam Repair
We work with property owners across the full range of projects.
Residential
Post and beam repair for single-family homes and other residential properties, from a few settled posts to a full support system in an older home.
We work inside occupied homes with minimal disruption, restoring floors you rely on in everyday use.
Commercial
Structural support and foundation repair for commercial buildings where posts, beams, and footings need reinforcement or replacement. We bring the same standard to larger jobs across Whatcom County.
When homeowners weigh their local options, the experience of the team matters. We're a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor, registered with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, and our crews are skilled service providers and experienced foundation repair specialists, not commissioned sales staff.
Among local service providers, we're the right local contractor for owners who want reputable references and straight answers. Clear, effective communication and a written scope of work mean you understand the total cost and the plan before anything starts. If you're not sure what your home needs, contact us and we'll give you a straightforward answer, and the peace of mind that comes with it.
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you contact us, you’ll likely speak with Janeah or Kelsey. They’ll ask a few questions, gather basic information, and schedule a site visit. If you have a prior report or estimate, they will review it so our team arrives prepared.
During the visit, you’ll meet with Eric or David. They’re experienced builders, not commissioned sales staff. They’ll evaluate the issue and surrounding conditions and explain what they see in plain language.
Afterward, you’ll receive a written proposal with recommended solutions and costs. If there’s more than one option, we’ll walk you through it so you can decide without pressure.
We’re owner-led, and your estimator stays involved through completion so the work is carried out as discussed. Our crews keep a clean job site.
DEEP LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. PROVEN EXPERIENCE. CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY.
Behind every Foundation Restoration project is Matt Shaver, whose hands-on leadership and long commitment to quality and community help set the standard for how work gets done.
Locally owned & operated by Matt Shaver
Serving Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties
Licensed, bonded, and insured
Project continuity
Your estimator is the project manager from start to finish
Clear, written warranty terms
Structural Specialists
Thousands of local foundations evaluated and repaired since 2009
Extensive experience with Western Washington soil, moisture, and settlement conditions
Commercial-grade systems installed in residential homes
Involved in our communities
Supporting local organizations and community initiatives
David Burkett
Residential Estimator
& Project Manager
Kelsey Riley
Director of Admin
Eric Simonsen
Residential Estimator
& Project Manager
LOCAL EXPERIENCE YOU CAN SEE
Since 2009, we have evaluated and repaired thousands of homes throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties. From older foundations on South Hill to hillside properties in Sudden Valley and historic homes in the Lettered Streets, we understand how Western Washington rainfall and changing soil conditions affect structures over time.
We have worked on homes built on rocky bluffs in the islands, on expansive soils in the Skagit Valley, and on mixed fill common in parts of Bellingham. Each site presents different conditions, and each requires a careful, site-specific approach.
Many of our projects are in neighborhoods you likely know. We are often referred by homeowners, real estate professionals, inspectors, and local contractors who have seen our work firsthand.
My wife and I thought they were excellent from start to finish. Knowledgeable, competent, accommodating, quick to respond, and always able to answer questions. And just genuinely nice people. Honestly, Foundation Restoration is one of the best companies I’ve worked with…highly recommend going with them.”
- Chris, homeowner, Fountain District, Bellingham
THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS
FAQs
What is a post and beam foundation?
A post and beam foundation supports a home from inside the crawl space using wood posts that sit on footings and carry horizontal beams. Those beams hold up the floor structure of the house.
It's one of the two most common foundation types in residential construction, along with slab foundations, and it's very common in older Bellingham and Whatcom County homes.
1
How do I know if my post and beam foundation needs repair?
2
The most common signs are sagging or uneven floors, bouncy spots that used to feel solid, and doors or windows that have started to stick. Down in the crawl space, you may see posts that have shifted off their footings, wood rot, or visible cracks.
If you notice any of these, it's worth having the support system looked at before the problem spreads.
Can you repair a post and beam foundation without major construction?
3
Yes. Most post and beam repairs are done from inside the crawl space, so there's no need to excavate around the home or disturb the living space above. We replace or reinforce posts, beams, and footings, then level the floors, all from below.
What causes post and beam foundations to fail?
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Most failures come down to moisture and soil. Wood posts and beams sitting in a damp crawl space can rot or crush over time, and soil movement or soil erosion can shift the footings underneath them.
Older homes are the most affected, simply because the system has had more years to settle.