Depending upon the conditions it is possible to strengthen or repair existing framing members such as floor joists or roof rafters by adding reinforcing material sandwiching the member on either side with plywood is sometimes worthwhile but the plywood must be installed correctly for greatest strength.
Structural floor lifting for existing room.
3 multiply the total inches of insulation by 3 2 to estimate the existing r value of your floor.
This job took two people one afternoon.
Heck there was usually only one game in town and your choice was often made for you.
A plywood subfloor will bridge any minor waves in the existing floor and leveling compound would help too.
We got muddy because we were in a dirt crawlspace doing just that crawling.
Separate structural platform above the existing floor.
Plan view of proposed mri suite.
There are now many types of raised access floors to choose from.
However you can usually remedy sagging problems yourself by sistering new joists alongside the existing ones this also works for stiffening bouncy floors.
On the top side of the floor another fix it idea to lay down new hardwood over the existing floor.
You will have to make sure your joists can handle the addition of considerably more weight from the plywood subfloor and any floor coverings.
Cost time and skills.
If only it were that simple.
The elevated floor structure would span three structural bays of the building and be independent of all building elements except for beam connections to the building columns.
Back in the old days things were a lot simpler.
Inspect your floor framing and measure the thickness of the existing insulation if any.
Total cost was less than 200 while a pro would charge 500 1000.
We used 18 000 pound screw jacks 4x4 lumber a circular saw power drill driver and cement blocks.
The inspection 300 to 500 will tell if you have structural problems such as undersized joists that will require professional repairs.