Transform Your Basement with Underpinning in Toronto

Strong Basements Inc. delivers certified, high-quality basement underpinning and lowering solutions across Toronto and the GTA. If your basement feels cramped, prone to moisture, or underutilized — we can help you unlock new height, space, and value.

What Is Basement Underpinning?

Underpinning strengthens or extends a home’s foundation, allowing you to lower the basement floor. This process boosts ceiling height, delivers more usable space, and reinforces structural stability — a smart way to expand your home without altering its footprint.

Why Homeowners in Toronto Choose Underpinning

• Add livable space: Many older homes had basements with low ceilings unsuitable for daily use. Underpinning can add 2–3 feet of headroom, making the space ideal for bedrooms, rentals, or recreation rooms.

• Fix structural issues: Settling foundations, weak soil, or water damage can undermine safety. Underpinning reinforces your home and corrects foundational shifting.

• Boost property value: A functional basement adds value without changing your home’s footprint, which helps with zoning and municipal compliance.

• Modernize systems: During underpinning, it’s easy to upgrade outdated plumbing, electrical, insulation, or waterproofing systems—integrating infrastructure improvements seamlessly.

Our Underpinning Process (Step by Step)

Every underpinning project is handled methodically, under close engineering oversight, to protect your home’s integrity. Here’s our general workflow:

1. Engineering & Planning
   A licensed structural engineer inspects your home, soil conditions, footings, and loads. They prepare sealed design drawings that comply with Toronto’s building codes.

2. Permitting & Approvals
   We submit drawings and specifications to the City of Toronto. Underpinning is treated as a structural alteration and requires a permit and staged inspections.

3. Demolition & Controlled Excavation
   The existing slab is removed, and small sections of soil are excavated beneath the existing footings in a staggered sequence to ensure stability.

4. Pouring New Reinforced Footings (Pins / Extensions)
   New concrete footings (“pins”) are poured under the old foundation in a controlled, staged manner. This extends the foundation downward.

5. Waterproofing & Drainage
   We install a new waterproofing membrane, foundation coating, weeping tile, and drainage solutions to protect the new foundation from moisture intrusion.

6. Plumbing & Structural Updates
   All plumbing rough-ins, drains, and tie-ins are completed. Structural steel or additional reinforcements are installed as shown on the engineered drawings.

7. New Concrete Slab & Finishing
   After the inspections sign off, we pour the new concrete slab. The space is then ready for finishing work to turn it into a true living area.

8. Final Inspections & Certification
   We arrange for final structural and municipal inspections to close the permit. You receive all documentation for future resale or compliance.

Cost Expectations & Alternatives

Basement underpinning is an investment, and costs depend heavily on basement size, depth of lowering, soil conditions, and extra work (waterproofing, plumbing, finishes).

• Many projects in Toronto run between $80 to $150 per square foot (or more in complex cases), depending on scope. 

• Some contractors quote $80 to $350+ per square foot for high-end projects.

• Alternatively, bench footing (a less invasive method) costs less (often $70–$110 per square foot) but reduces usable space near perimeter walls. 

Because every house is unique, we always provide a detailed estimate after a site inspection.

Risks, Requirements & Important Notes

• Professional expertise is mandatory. Underpinning is structurally critical and not a DIY job.

• Municipal permits are required. The City of Toronto treats underpinning as a structural alteration. 

• Staged work ensures safety. Excavation proceeds bit by bit in controlled sections to maintain structural support.

• Neighbour consent may be needed. In semi-detached or terraced homes, work affecting shared walls or soil may require neighbor agreements.

• Expect disruption. The project can cause noise, dust, vibrations, and limited access to your basement for weeks.

Why Choose Strong Basements Inc.?

• Certified & experienced team with deep knowledge of Toronto’s building codes

• Engineering-led design & oversight on every project

• Permits, inspections & compliance handled — we deal with red tape so you don’t have to

• Transparent, fixed-price proposals — no surprise hidden fees

• Full-service: from underpinning to waterproofing to finishing — we offer end-to-end service

Ready to Transform Your Basement?

Don’t let a low-ceiling, damp basement hold your home back. With our Strong Basements Inc. underpinning solutions, you can unlock full-height ceiling space, structural integrity, and new functional rooms under your feet.

Get your free on-site evaluation and quote today.
Let’s explore what’s possible under your floor.