Jackson admits that the cost of the materials used for the Fortress system is more than 60% of the cost of steel. However, the installed price can be far less than that of current steel alternatives when you consider the higher resale value of the home. And Jackson anticipates that the cost of CFRP materials will drop as they become more widely used.

“Just 5 or 10 years ago, the cost was twice as much as it is today,” he says. “Now carbon fibers are produced in larger quantities. The increased production is lowering the cost into a range that’s affordable for residential repair and restoration.”

Jackson’s biggest challenge is educating homeowners about the benefits of using CRFPs for foundation repair. “Many people just don’t believe that a thin fiber material can hold up a wall,” he says.

At the end of the day, the carbon installation is generally the same cost of steel beams and slightly less then tiebacks.