How do I raise a sunken living room?

I'd fill all but about 5 inches with gravel lay plastic down and pour it. i'll bet the cost difference isn't much with labor. call a local and get a bid for giggles as well as a carpenter. it's about 3 yards of crete at like $100 a yard where i am. you should lay down some 2 inch foam for insulation maybe but it is hot there.