Of all the home improvement projects you may be considering, underpinning your basement and converting it into a usable living area could be the one that offers the best return on your investment. There are a number of reasons that basement conversions of this nature are so appealing to prospective buyers in all areas of the city, the most important of which we are going to cover below. In addition to making it easier to sell your home for a good price should you decide to move at some point in the future, underpinning your foundations will, of course, also bring a number of benefits for you to enjoy should you decide to stay.

Basement Underpinning in Toronto: The Financial Benefits

Among the reasons that this particular type of home improvement can be so rewarding from a financial perspective are the following:

• A Lot More Living Space for a Relatively Small Outlay – If you have a home addition built, you will have to pay for new walls, a new floor and a new roof. On the other hand, a basement conversion will significantly increase the living area in your home without any need to construct walls, a floor, or a new ceiling. This is one of the biggest reasons that basement underpinning in Toronto is such a popular choice among homeowners who want to maximize the ROI that they enjoy on their home improvements.

• A Space That Is Cheap to Cool and Heat – Underpinning your existing foundations will allow you to lower your basement floor and create a new below-grade living area. Because the space is surrounded by earth on 4 sides and the rest of your home above, it is very well insulated. What this means in practical terms is that it costs less to heat in the winter and less to keep cool in the summer: a fact that can make your property considerably more attractive to prospective buyers in all income brackets.

• A Stronger Structure – The process of basement underpinning in Toronto not only lowers the floor of your below-grade space, it strengthens the entire structure of your property, which can be a very attractive feature to buyers who take a long-term view of their property purchases.

• A Damp-Free Home – During the process of underpinning your basement, your building contractors will naturally attend to damp-proofing at the same time so any future buyers can rest assured that your home is fully protected in this respect. On the other hand, homes with neglected basements can be hiding a wide variety of below-grade problems that do not become apparent to new owners until they have been living in the property for some time.

To discuss the prospect of converting your below-grade space with a building company that has a great deal of experience of basement underpinning in Toronto, please do not hesitate to call or email us whenever you are free. We will be delighted to answer any questions you have and to prepare a detailed quotation for your consideration.

Given the number of properties in Toronto that have a basement, it is not surprising that underpinning is such a hot topic these days. If you have decided that you would like to make use of the below grade space in your home and you believe that this is the best way to do so, there are a few facts about underpinning of which you should be aware. To save you having to search online or ask other more experienced friends and relatives, we have made a list of the 5 most important facts you should know before you get started on this type of home improvement project.

Basement Underpinning in Toronto: What You Need to Know

Acquaint yourself with the facts below before you approach any local contractors and you will be better prepared for your next home improvement project.

1. You Will Need a Building Permit – Although you are not building a home addition that will be in plain view once it has been completed, you are making structural alterations so you will need to apply for a building permit from the local authorities. For this reason, you should hire a contractor who is familiar with the whole process and who can prepare all the plans and documentation that you will need for your application to succeed.
2. Underpinning Is More Expensive Than Benching – Between the two options for lowering the floor in your basement, basement underpinning in Toronto is the more expensive. However, it is also the option that will provide you with the most floor space once the work has been completed, which is why it is such a popular choice.
3. The Work Must Be Completed in Small Stages – Underpinning does take longer than many other home improvement projects but the ends justify the means as far as most homeowners are concerned. The reason it cannot be rushed is because it involves digging underneath the foundations of your house before new footings are poured into the space created. As the foundations are supporting your home, the work must be completed in small stages.
4. Underpinning Will Strengthen Existing Foundations – If subsidence, local earthworks, or any other underground disturbance has weakened the foundations of your property, you will be pleased to know that basement underpinning a Toronto property will also strengthen these foundations.
5. Underpinning Can Make the Addition of Extra Storeys a Practical Option – If you like the idea of being able to add an extra storey to your home at some point in the future, underpinning is the best way to lower your basement floor. By strengthening the foundations of your property, you can make adding an extra floor a practical proposition.

If you would like to know more about basement underpinning in Toronto, please feel free to call us during business hours and we will be more than happy to answer your questions. We can also make plans to visit your home and prepare a detailed quotation for your consideration if you desire.

There are a number of reasons that you might wish to underpin your basement, the most common of which we have listed below. Whether or not basement underpinning is the right choice for you will depend on the location and state of your property, as well as the aims that you hope to achieve. If you would like to find out why other people have this work done to their property, read the list below. If you have any questions after reading this list, please feel free to call the team at Integrity Home Additions and we will be happy to answer them.

 
Is Basement Underpinning Right for Your Needs?

Whether it is the right option for you and your home can best be decided by a professional builder but you may like to consider it in one of the following situations:

1. Converting a Basement into Living Space – Many properties have quite spacious basements that would function perfectly as extra living space, if only the ceilings were a little higher. Whilst it is of course impossible to actually raise the ceiling of a basement, you can achieve the same aim by underpinning the foundations to lower the basement floor. If you want to lower your basement floor without going to the expense of underpinning, you could consider benching instead. However, if you do decide to go down this route, you should be aware that you will lose some of the floor area that you were hoping to convert into a new living space.
2. Repairing Damage from Natural Forces – In some cases, the foundations of a property may deteriorate owing to natural forces such as earthquakes or floods. In such cases, it is often possible to repair the damage through basement underpinning.
3. Adding an Extra Storey to Your Home – There are certain types of home additions, such as adding an extra floor, that normally require the existing foundations to be strengthened. Whether or not this will be necessary is something that is best determined by a structural engineer or another suitably qualified building expert.
4. Damage Caused by New Developments in Close Proximity – If your property is in close proximity to major new building developments, there is a chance that the work performed by excavation contractors prior to the construction of these developments may have caused the earth surrounding your property to shift. Such shifts may result in damage to the foundations of your home, which basement underpinning could remedy.

These are the most common reasons that homeowners consider having their basement foundations underpinned so if you are in a similar situation to any of the above examples, you may like to enquire about our basement underpinning services. Whether it is the right solution for you can only really be determined after a thorough survey but in the event that it is not the most practical option, we may be able to suggest an alternative course of action that will help you to achieve the same aims.

Underpinning of a basement is usually done for one of two reasons: either to strengthen the existing foundation of a home or to extend the foundation and basement floor downward to open up vertical space. Basement underpinning has been a common practice for well over a century and the basics of the process have not changed. What has changed over the past few decades (as much of Toronto’s housing stock has begun to age) is many people’s attitude toward the idea of underpinning. Once thought of as a messy way to address structural problems, homeowners are beginning to see the other substantial benefits the process has to offer.

Why You Should Consider Basement Underpinning

While basement underpinning is a well understood process you should always make sure it is done by an experienced, professional excavation contractor with a proven record of success and references. That said, here are some of the major benefits to be gained from underpinning your basement.

• More Space – In the search for space many folks default to building home additions when they could gain the additional space they seek through underpinning. A typical home with two above ground floors and a low-ceiling basement could gain up to 50% more usable square footage by simply lowering the basement floor then building out.
• Increased Structural Integrity – Underpinning the foundation, whether it’s to accommodate upper floor expansion or to create vertical space in the basement, will strengthen your home’s structural integrity, increase its curb value and extend its potential lifespan.
• Added Value – By opening up your basement for practical use you increase the resale value of your home by a considerable margin and make it more likely to sell quickly, rather than lingering on the market for months or years. Studies show that no other form of home improvement creates the ROI of a basement renovation.
• A Drier, Healthier Home – Many older basements suffer from seepage which not only undermines the integrity of the foundation but can lead to the development of mold and the generation of musty odours that make trips to the basement unpleasant. Recent research has indicated many types of mold can present serious health concerns as well. The process of basement underpinning will not only create new, usable space but afford you the opportunity to reset your relationship with your basement and start over with a dry, healthy environment.
• Rental Income – If you install a new or expanded entrance to your basement during the underpinning process you open up the possibility of turning your new space into a rentable apartment. A great idea if you want to both increase the value of your home and recover the cost of the underpinning and build-out.

Whether you need to strengthen your home’s foundation, address leaky foundation walls, create usable space for your family or create an income generating apartment downstairs, basement underpinning is a smart, value-loaded proposition. You’ll wind up with a safer, more stable, more spacious and more valuable property as a result.

Integrity Contracting is known for quality work, honesty and professional results that increase value to our customer’s properties.  We know we can provide you with answers and solutions to your projects needs; we are qualified, licensed professionals – proven & trustworthy – who always deliver projects on time and on budget. We specialize in Home Additions, Framing, Basement Underpinning, Demolition and Excavation in Toronto. Visit us on Google+.