Expert Basement

Underpinning in Mississauga

Converting the unusable or inaccessible area in your home into a livable space is a pretty common practice nowadays, and requires digging beneath the groundworks. You can do this through a process known as lowering a basement or underpinning. Like most homeowners, you may wish you could increase the livable space in your home but you may be wondering whether it’s possible.

Using underpinning, you can add extra height to an incomplete basement or crawl space and effectively transform it into a useful area. Lowering the basement can also help increase the load capacity, especially if you wish to add an extra story on your property. This can also add much needed support to the foundation.

If you're a homeowner in and around Mississauga trying to find whether or not basement underpinning is the way to go for your unique needs and circumstances, we can help. Budget Reno is a top contractor offering professional basement underpinning services to homeowners in Mississauga and surrounding areas.

What Is Basement
Underpinning?

Lowering the basement refers to the process of excavating the area around and beneath an existing foundation in order to add support. Excavation takes place both outdoors and indoors, depending on the size of the job. This is generally done by adding new footings and piers or helical piles to bear on a more competent soil layer. Soil conditions are often the primary driver for the need for underpinning though other considerations such as additional loads or changing building use can also contribute.

Here are some of the most important benefits of basement underpinning:

Increased Accessibility

Hidden mechanics such as plumbing, wiring, and heating are often found in the basement. If you want to make any changes, inspections, or repairs to these systems, underpinning can give you better access. The process of underpinning makes it possible to modernize your property and also gives you the opportunity to upgrade the insulation and waterproofing system.

Higher Ceilings and More Space

Most older homes have basements with low ceilings. As a result, these rooms feel uncomfortable and simply inadequate for any other use. Underpinning can help increase the overall height, giving you more space to work with. You can use this extra space to create a comfortable living area or bedroom.

Structural Problems Belong To The Past

Structural problems are not only unsightly, but they can also be dangerous. One of the main reasons to underpin your basement is to fortify the foundation and make sure that it will no longer settle or crack. This way, you won't have to worry about any future problems and you can rest assured knowing that your home is safe. Stabilize your home and prevent further structural damage, starting today.

It Is An Economical Solution

Basement underpinning is a very economical solution for your home. It will not only increase the value of your property but also make it safer and more comfortable to live in. This cost-effective process lets you extend your home’s square footage without spending a small fortune. Since the project only involves the basement, it won't affect your daily routine.

Every aspect of the underpinning process requires professional expertise and high-quality materials. A trained and experienced team will make sure that the job is done right, and that your basement will be properly supported for many years to come. This is a long-term investment that will pay off in the end. Here at Budget Reno, we can handle every part of the process from the foundation walls and excavation to footings and concrete floor replacement.

Why Choose Us?

Budget Reno is a top home renovation company in Mississauga. We have the team, equipment, and resources to handle any size job, big or small. Your home improvement project is in good hands with us. When it comes to basement underpinning, excavation, concrete floor replacement, walls, and footings, we have the experience and knowledge to get the job done right. We offer a free consultation so that we can assess your needs and give you a fair quote. We will carefully evaluate your foundation, surrounding area, excavation depth, electrical re-routing, plumbing, concrete work, and building code requirements.

We believe in complete transparency and will never surprise you with hidden fees or charges. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We understand that every home is different, so we take the time to assess your property and identify the best course of action.

Reasonable Prices

At Budget Reno, we tailor our services to meet your needs and budget. We provide affordable, standard and luxury renovations according to your requirements and the amount of money you plan to spend. Please see our online estimate tool to get an idea of how much the renovation will cost.

Structural Work

Budget Reno works with an experienced team of structural engineers and licensed architects. They always review every structural job that entails the removal of a load-bearing wall and extensions. They provide drawings that make obtaining the necessary permits easy.

Design

You can trust our registered interior designer to draw up a design unique to your space that compliments your lifestyle and taste. The designer will create a 3D model of the basement so you can see what the finished product will look like. With this, we always create a space that is delightful, to your taste and provides the best value for your hard earned money.

Warranty

Because we believe in our work, we offer a 2-year warranty on our materials and workmanship. We answer your call immediately or at most before the end of the day, and we address all such issues within 48 hours. We prefer to walk the talk so please take some time to read our reviews and see what our past clients are saying about us and our warranty program.

The Basement Underpinning Process

Whether we like it or not, the basement underpinning process is complex in and of itself. That is the reason why only qualified and insured professionals should carry it out at all times. Basement underpinning is not only about creating more depth by digging up the existing floor. You should realize that digging up the existing floor and foundation increases the risk of structural damage. Any mistake can put in jeopardy the stability of your entire home. To avoid this, experts in the field are able to dig under your home's foundation and set up a new level of support below the existing one that can carry the extra weight of your property.

The first step our team takes is to carefully examine your foundation and the nearby areas. This helps professionals determine building code requirements in connection with excavation depth, concrete work, electrical re-routing, and plumbing. Our experts complete all the steps in the underpinning process from start to finish, always with your best interests at heart.

Demolition Work

Most homes in Mississauga have underutilized basements. More often than not, those spaces feel cramped and are rendered unusable due to their low ceilings. Unfortunately, the basements end up being used as storage areas for rarely used items. Underpinning changes this and creates an extra usable space out of your basement. To begin underpinning, all items are taken away from the basement. Next, the existing floors, walls and other finishes are demolished. This process gives the contractors a clear view of the area so they can start planning the project safely and efficiently.

Removal of Concrete Floor

After the demolition is complete, our experts get to work on removing the existing concrete floors and foundations. The removal process is carefully executed using state-of-the-art machines to avoid any sort of damage to your property. This is the beginning of the transformation of your basement. It is a tough task that begins with locating utilities. Concrete floors and reinforced floors more than 4 inches thick require the use of power tools. By breaking off a small section of the floor, the contractor reveals how much work needs to be done, the thickness of the floors and the type of reinforcements used.

Soil Excavation

The next step is to excavate the soil beneath your foundation. The excavation process is executed with special care. To ensure this, our experts use machines that can be controlled remotely to avoid any accidents. The depth of the excavation is determined by the load-bearing capacity of the soil and the type of foundation you have. The excavation increases the height of your basement. Based on the availability of access, your contractor will decide whether to remove dirt by using conveyor belts or wheel barrels. Your contractor also takes care of soil disposal on your behalf.

Underpinning Sections

Once we have the required engineering and city-approved drawings, we divide your current basement into vertical sections. We mark the sections 1,2,3,4 repeatedly. The numbers show us where the same numbered sections will be excavated. It is these sections that constitute the structural integrity of the underpinning. To support your foundation, we install steel beams or reinforced concrete along the perimeter of your basement. When a contractor picks a number, for example, 3, all the sections that have been marked with that number are cut and excavated. Next, the sections are formed and fresh concrete is poured into the lowered height. After that, the contractor then picks another number and repeats the process to cover the entire space.

Inspections

If it's not carried out properly, basement underpinning can damage your property. As a result, we make sure that our work meets all the different safety requirements. We also check that the walls are not compromised and we get inspections done by city officials to ensure that our work is up to local building codes. We work closely with a licensed engineer who checks each stage of the underpinning process. Inspections have numerous benefits. Among them, is that they ensure the project is up to code and according to your approved project designs.

Drains

It is understandable that your basement is the part of your home most likely to take on water. To avoid water ruining your well-planned basement renovation, the next step in the basement underpinning process is drainage system installation. We will guide you by explaining the available options and the advantages and disadvantages of each. We then install new drains, connect and inspect them before any other work is done. Last but not least, our team carries out pressure tests to make sure the drains are functioning properly.

Waterproofing And Gravel

After the drains are installed, we waterproof your basement from the inside. Waterproofing is a very important step because it protects your basement from water damage that occurs as a result of water seeping from below. It also prevents mold and mildew from growing in your space. We use high-quality materials to waterproof your basement. Our experts install a waterproofing delta foundation and follow it up with gravel layering on the topsoil. With these steps, we ensure that you won't have any water leak issues after the project. That is why Budget Reno is the number one underpinning contractor.

Insulation And Radiant Floor Heating

Since your basement is underground, it doesn't get much heat from the sun. Its floors are cold and it can be expensive to heat. During the underpinning, you can improve your basement even further by installing radiant floor heating. This ensures that your concrete floors are never too cold. This underfloor heating system extends heat to every part of the room. It also eliminates the problem of floor dampness. If you're unsure if radiant flooring is necessary, we'll discuss the pros and cons with you and also help you choose the best insulation for your basement.

Sump Pit And Sump Pump

Most cities experience a huge amount of rain at least once every year. Sometimes, these heavy rains overload your city's drainage infrastructure. This may lead to basement flooding. Do you know that there are city incentives and rebates for you if you have a licensed contractor like Budget Reno install a sump pump and sump pit? Installing both a sump pump and sump pit is the best basement upgrade you can do after an underpinning project. Once you sign off on the project, our professionals install a sump pump and sump pit before pouring the concrete floor slab.

Pouring Basement Concrete Slab

Before pouring the concrete, all sewer and electrical lines must be installed and up to code. These lines have to be within the concrete. Underneath is a pile of gravel covered by a waterproofing sheet that protects the concrete slab from moisture. A concrete pump is used to pour the concrete before it is then leveled and smoothed out. A screed board removes all imperfections. Jitterbug tools are employed to fetch water, sand and cement to the surface. This ensures that the concrete has a smooth and durable surface. At this stage, the basement underpinning is almost done. Only finishing touches and cleanup are left.

Schedule a Consultation

You can book an appointment with your online calendar. We will then discuss with you the process and create a custom proposal for your project that’s tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

How Does Basement Underpinning Work And Why is it Important?

As the price of houses continues to rise, it becomes increasingly difficult for many to move from one place to another. With basement underpinning, you can get an extra room in your home for whatever purpose you deem fit. Basement underpinning involves several steps. By knowing these steps, it becomes easy for you to understand the total scope of the project when it begins.

Most homes are constructed with 8-foot deep foundations. With the installation of ceilings and floors, that 8 feet almost disappears and leaves a confined space. If you want to make room for mechanical systems, then the space shrinks even further. Given the fact that it is very expensive to raise the above-ground structure, basement lowering is the best way to create more space.

As a result, lowering the basement is the most realistic way of creating more space in your home. Only a professional can execute this task without complications. That is why you need Budget Reno. We have many basement underpinning projects under our belt and we will make your dream come alive without going above your budget. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Should You Do Basement
Underpinning?

Basement lowering is one of the many options available to homeowners when they decide they need more living space in their homes. There are three main reasons why you should consider basement underpinning.

It Helps Create Additional Living Space

The first and most obvious reason is that it creates an extra living space. If you have a family, then you know how important it is to have enough space for everyone. With the help of basement underpinning, you can finally have that extra room you always wanted but never had the space for.

It Increases Your Home's Resale Value

When you renovate your basement, you are essentially increasing the resale value of your home. By adding an extra room, you are giving potential buyers more reasons to buy your home over another property. While underpinning, you end up doing plenty of repairs, renovations and upgrades on your old systems.

It is Cost-Effective

Basement underpinning is one of the most cost-effective ways to add living space to your home. It is cheaper than moving to a new home and it doesn't require you to do any major renovations. If you decide to rent out your newly created space, you can easily recoup the cost of the underpinning in no time. It also becomes a second source of income.

The extra space you create from underpinning can be used as:

Guest Suite

Living Space

Nanny Suite

In-law Suite

Basement Income Unit

Recreational And Entertainment Space

Benefits of Basement Underpinning

01.Makes Your Home More Structurally Sound

Lowering a basement begins by removing the items within it, breaking the concrete floor and clearing other non-weight bearing structures. By leaving the structure exposed, you can tell if your foundations had been well done or if damage has taken place as a result of extreme climate changes or repairs. Before covering everything up with concrete, your contractor resolves all structural issues that your home may have. Underpinning is therefore an opportunity to improve the structural soundness of your home and it gives you peace of mind that your family and property are safe.

02.Increased Property Value

Because homeowners love more living space, home buyers are more likely to purchase a house that has an underpinned basement that they can easily convert. This is especially so if the basement has been well looked after and is of a good size. If you are considering selling your home in the future, the underpinning will add value to it and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

03.Increase Ceiling Height And Upgrade Lighting

One of the benefits of underpinning your basement is that you get to increase ceiling height and upgrade lighting. With a higher ceiling, your basement will feel more spacious and bright. This is especially important if you plan on using the space for entertaining guests, as a home gym, home office, or as an extra living area. With underpinning, you can add bigger windows which will also increase the natural lighting of your basement.

04.Update Old Plumbing And Electrical Lines And Improve Insulation

Basement underpinning is also a good opportunity to update old plumbing and electrical lines and improve insulation. These are important considerations, especially if you plan on using the space as an extra living area or bedroom. By upgrading these systems, you can be sure that your basement is safe and comfortable to live in.

05.Bottom Line

Basement underpinning is a great way to add value to your home, increase living space, and update old systems. It is an investment that will pay off in the long run, so if you are considering it, be sure to talk to a professional contractor like Budget Reno about your options.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Use your online calendar to book an appointment. We meet to discuss your requirements and will provide a renovation solution that fits your budget.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does basement underpinning take?

The length of time it takes to underpin a basement depends on the size and depth of the foundation, as well as the type of underpinning being done. On average, it takes 4-6 weeks to complete. The concrete floor may also be a factor, as it needs to be removed and replaced during the process. If your basement's floor is reinforced and the concrete is thicker than the average basement, it will require special equipment. This will affect the duration of the project.

Q2. What should you consider before basement underpinning?

Basement underpinning is a complex process, so it's important to consider all your options before deciding whether or not to proceed with the project. You should also get a quote from a reliable contractor to get an idea of the cost. In addition, you need to make sure that your home is structurally sound and that the soil is suitable for underpinning. If you have any doubts, it's best to consult with a professional before proceeding. You need to also decide on your reason for underpinning. Whether you're doing it to add value to your home or increase living space, make sure that you have a clear plan before starting the project.

Q3. What are the common foundation issues?

Foundations constructed on sloped or unstable ground and expansive clay are prone to foundation failure. Failure can also be caused by a number of factors, including poor drainage, inadequate reinforcement, and settling. If you notice any cracks in your foundation, it's important to get them repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring these problems can lead to further damage to your home, which can be costly to repair.

Q4. How much does basement underpinning cost?

It's not possible to calculate the cost of basement underpinning without knowing the specifics of the project. The size and depth of your foundation, as well as the type of underpinning being done, will all affect the price. In general, however, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 for a typical underpinning job. If complications get in the way, you may spend as much as $30,000. Generally, basement underpinning costs about $80 per square foot. For lowering the basement, the cost is $450 per linear foot. You'll also need to add the cost of drawings and permits. To hire an architect for drawings and a basement lowering permit is $2,500. However, it can go up to as high as $4,500 depending on the complexity and size of your basement.

Q5. Why do you require a structural engineer report?

As soon as you notice any cracks or movement in your foundation, you should get a structural engineer report. This report will help you determine the extent of the damage and whether or not underpinning is necessary. It's important to have a professional assess the situation so that you can be sure that your home is safe and that the repairs will be effective.

Q6. What are piering and slabjacking?

Piering and slabjacking are the two most common methods for securing sinking concrete foundations. Piering involves driving steel or concrete piers into the ground to support the foundation. Slabjacking, on the other hand, uses a hydraulic lift to raise the foundation and fill any voids beneath it. These methods are often used in combination to provide the most stability for the foundation.

Q7. What's the average cost breakdown for basement underpinning?

A structural engineer's inspection report costs $300 to $800. Your basement will also require a soil composition analysis. A geotechnical engineer will cost you $500 to $2,000. This also depends on the complexity of the project.

A crack repair to your concrete foundation will cost $400 to $800 depending on the degree of structural damage. For a complete basement floor replacement, the cost will be from $200 to $400. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you'll need foundation reinforcements using anchor bolts, the cost will be between $1,500 to $3,500.

Contact Budget

Reno For Your Free Estimate

At Budget Reno, we are aware that every home is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to basement underpinning. That's why we offer a free, no-obligation estimate for all of our services. We'll come to your home, assess the situation, and provide you with a detailed quote. We'll also answer any questions you have about the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with the project.

Get in touch with us today to schedule your free estimate. We look forward to helping you improve your home!