Are you in search of extra living space? There are plenty of ways to gain additional space for your home. You could either demolish your house to build another one larger, construct an extension to your home or if you do not have a basement finished then you can dig up the crawl space, then lower it. For the majority of homeowners, dropping to the level of the basement will be ideal choice because it’s less expensive than building a new house and doesn’t need any more space than an expansion will. But is it really worth it? Find all you must know about the possibility of lowering the basement’s level here.

What is the best time to lower your basement? Possible?

There are many basements that do not come that has 8-foot ceilings. Certain basements are only made to function for crawl spaces while others have a limited amount of living space with plumbing and electrical pipes running through the ceilings. However, just because there’s not enough space in the basement right this moment, that doesn’t mean you can’t transform your basement into a full-height and livable space. If you’re in need of extra space and don’t have a completed basement, tearing out the one you have is the most efficient method to gain the additional space you’ve always wanted.

The Benefits of the ability to lower Your Basement?

There are many other motives to lower the floor other than simply increasing the living space. A basement that is lower can aid in bringing your home to code solve structural issues stabilizing foundations that are weak or degraded or waterproofing system, improve your drainage systems, as well as also create an area to access electrical and plumbing systems with ease. In addition, gaining more space and structure through a basement lowering can be an excellent method to add value to your house.

Do You Do it yourself?

It is not advisable to try to tackle a task like this by yourself. The process of lowering your basement’s floor is a huge job that’s extremely complicated. One error could cause permanent structural damages to the foundation. That is why the job must be performed by a foundation professional.

What is the cost?

The price will be based on many elements, such as the dimensions of your basement as well as the depth of the excavation and the accessibility for the area, the process employed for raising and bracing the house as well as whether or not plumbing and drains will be fitted or if it is completed or left as is. In Toronto the cost of a basement lowering project could cost anywhere from $20k and $150,000.

Do I need a permit?

Yes, you’ll need the proper stamping permit and engineering drawings for structural engineering to get the permit. It is important to remember that it may take between 25-30 days to apply for an approval.

How long does it take to be Complete?

The time required for the foundation to be lowered will be contingent on the nature of the work. A typical project will take about three weeks to finish. For more complicated projects, it can take several months from beginning to end.

Do you think that basements are causing disruption?

Based on the time of year and the extent of the work the basement lowering process can be an unsettling process that requires homeowners to temporarily leave the house. If it is necessary the foundation specialist will give you all the necessary information as well as the anticipated timeline.

What are the techniques used?

There are two principal methods that can be used to lower the basement. One is underpinning. the second is known as bench pin. Underpinning is when the contractor will dig below the footing that is in place and lay new footings at a lower depth than the initial. They will then reconstruct the wall in sections so that it will be level between the top and bottom, before digging the floor of your basement in the desired depth. It’s a long process that costs more to complete, however it’s much more efficient over bench pinning because it adds more strength, and will also fix any structural issues that may arise in the foundation. Underpinning allows you to fix any cracks that may be present within the foundation. You can also set up new waterproofing and make electrical and plumbing upgrades simultaneously.

Bench pinning on the contrary is a speedier and cheaper option as the contractor does not have to dig up new foundations. Instead, it is about digging to the new depth and then building an area for a bench around the walls around it. There is no alteration to the foundation wall. It will however reduce the size of the basement by a few feet since there is an additional foot of bench at the bottom of the wall for each foot you take down.