Lifting a home to add height to the floor/ceiling height is a major under taking. Depending on the area where you live and the "overall height allowance" for your area, it may be cheaper to sell and find a new home with a basement ready to go or ready to finish.

There are many things to consider, the first and foremost being whether or not your property is allowed a taller/heavier foot print than what it currently has on it. Some areas can only handle a certain amount of height/weight per square foot. By adding height, you will be adding weight.

You will need to find a local renovation company that has a long history of lifting houses. This is not something any reno company can accomplish. You will need to check with city hall to find the maximum height/size of home you are allowed on the lot and if there are other concerns that must be considered such as slab thickness and thickness of walls, etc. The basement walls may not have the thickness to add height...you might have to reinforce the walls of the basement to allow for another 18" of clearance.

I've never seen a price tag...but my guess would be to start at $50,000 and go from there. The amount of people and machinery and time that is required is massive. And plan to live elsewhere during the event...a few weeks to a few months...again it depends on the work and all the problems the company will have to fix (if new codes have been introduced or if there was shoddy work done...they have to fix it if they see it).

I would take some time to see what a house the same size as yours with a finished basement would be worth. That is your "end" point. If you add in all the time out of the home (renting, etc) plus the work, you will probably find a home in your area for less than the cost of the project.