Underpinning

There are generally two methods of lowering your basement floor to gain additional headroom. Depending on your existing site conditions (such as setback distances, foundation wall type, soil conditions, etc.), you could either underpin your foundation wall or install new bench footings. We would be more than happy to explain and discuss which of the two options are available to you as well as the pros and cons of each!
 

If you are still unsure whether you will be proceeding and/or want to consider your options, we can provide our site visit and report service. An experienced licensed structural engineer will come to your house and then prepare a written report outlining the available options for lowering your basement. This report can then be used to help in your decision making as well as to get accurate quotes from contractors.

If you have already made the decision to lower your basement, then we can go straight to preparing a set of structural drawings which can be submitted to the building department to apply for your building permit.