Over time, it’s normal to outgrow the size of your house and want to add more living space. Rather than moving to another house, underpinning allows you to expand your existing home by lowering the basement floor. However, this is a major project and requires a lot of work and planning. It is recommended to hire a structural engineer to review the plans and sign off on them. This will ensure that the foundation is designed and built to meet the City’s requirements. Several steps need to be taken and the entire process can take up to six months.

To lower the underpinning basement cost in Toronto, the technician digs underneath the existing foundation and pours new footings under it. These footings allow you to lower the basement without affecting other foundations in the area. Another option is bench footing which does not require digging under the existing footing and instead extends it beside it. This method is cheaper and easier to get approvals for, but it does take away some of the basement space.

Budgeting Basics: Understanding Underpinning Basement Costs in Toronto

Other factors that can affect the cost of underpinning include the underpinning company chosen, property location and soil type, basement dimensions and accessibility, and the type, quality, and quantity of the structural materials needed for the project. Taking all of these into account, it’s important to consult with a professional to ensure that the project is executed correctly and stays within your budget.