Key Takeaways
- Basement lowering is a cost-effective way to gain livable space without building an addition.
- There are two main structural methods: underpinning and benching.
- Underpinning provides maximum height without losing floor space, but is more expensive and complex.
- Benching is more affordable and quicker, but reduces usable area along the basement perimeter.
- Your choice depends on budget, foundation strength, soil conditions, and neighbour consent if walls are shared.
- Always work with experienced contractors who include engineers, permits, and inspections in the process.
- RenoDuck offers expert basement lowering services across the GTA — from design to final build.
Why Add Height to Your Basement?
Many older homes in Ontario have basements that were never intended for daily living — built instead for storage, laundry, or mechanical systems. As a result, these basements often have low ceilings and limited headroom, making the space feel cramped and unusable.
Lowering the basement floor is one of the most effective ways to transform this underutilized area into a comfortable, livable part of your home. Whether you’re planning to add a guest suite, home office, gym, or rental unit, increasing the ceiling height makes the space far more functional and welcoming.
Compared to a complete home addition, a basement renovation is typically faster, more cost-effective, and less disruptive. Since you’re working within the existing structure, you avoid many zoning complications and reduce the need for major exterior construction. If your basement is structurally sound but lacks height, basement lowering, through underpinning or benching, can unlock its full potential.
Explore more about basement renovations in Toronto here.
How Can You Add Height to a Basement?
There are two primary ways to enhance the perceived or actual height of your basement: through cosmetic changes or structural modifications. Design tricks, such as lighter colours, vertical lines, or low-profile furniture, can create the illusion of more headroom, but they don’t solve the core issue.
If your basement has truly low ceilings, structural intervention is the only way to make the space livable. In this article, we focus on two foundational methods that physically increase basement height: underpinning and benching. These approaches involve lowering the basement floor and require experienced professionals, but they deliver real, measurable space gains, not just visual ones.
What Is Basement Lowering?
Basement lowering is a structural renovation technique that involves excavating the existing basement floor and pouring a new slab at a deeper level to increase ceiling height. This process allows homeowners to transform low, unusable basements into comfortable, code-compliant living spaces.
There are two primary methods used to lower a basement: underpinning, which involves digging beneath the foundation walls, and benching, which reduces the floor without disturbing the footings. Both techniques require careful planning, structural assessments, and the involvement of qualified professionals.
Since basement lowering affects the structural integrity of your home, it’s not a DIY project. It typically requires architectural drawings, permits, and supervision by an engineer to ensure safety and compliance with local building codes.
Lowering the Basement Foundation
We recommend changes to the basement’s foundation when less demanding alternatives aren’t possible. This is simply because altering the foundation of your property is costly and time-consuming.
However, if lowering your basement foundation is the only option, we suggest either one or a combination of the following techniques:
We’re discussing both basement lowering techniques in detail so you can learn about them and ultimately make an informed decision regarding your basement project.
“Lowering a basement is one of the most effective ways to transform unused space into something truly functional. We always start with understanding the structure and goals — whether it’s more ceiling height, a legal unit, or just a more comfortable space. From there, we guide the homeowner through every step to ensure it’s done right.”
The golden rule of the day: a foundational renovation should be your last resort.
Basement Underpinning: Deeper Dig, More Space
Basement underpinning is a structural method used to lower the basement floor by extending the existing foundation deeper into the ground. This involves carefully removing sections of the old footings, excavating to a lower depth, and pouring new reinforced concrete footings below the original level. The basement walls are rebuilt in stages to support the structure while work progresses, and a new concrete slab is installed at the lowered grade.
Underpinning can typically add 2 to 4 feet of ceiling height, making it ideal for converting a low, cramped basement into a fully livable space. It’s also the preferred solution when you want to maximize floor area without sacrificing square footage to interior ledges or benches.
Due to the complexity and safety requirements of this process, underpinning must be completed by experienced foundation contractors. Engineer-approved drawings and building permits are mandatory, especially in cities like Toronto. The average project timeline ranges from 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the size and conditions of the home.
While it’s one of the more cost-intensive options, typically ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, underpinning offers unmatched results in terms of both space and structural reinforcement.
Basement Benching: Faster and Budget-Friendly
Basement benching, also known as bench footing, is a structural method of lowering a basement floor without disturbing the existing foundation walls. Instead of excavating beneath the footings, a concrete “bench” is constructed around the interior perimeter. The new basement slab is then poured at a lower level within this benched area.
Because this method avoids work beneath the foundation, it involves significantly less excavation than underpinning. As a result, benching is generally more affordable, typically ranging from $45,000 to $80,000, and faster to complete, often taking 6 to 10 weeks, depending on project size.
The main trade-off with benching is the loss of usable floor space, as the built-up ledge slightly reduces the room’s square footage. However, this concrete bench can be repurposed in creative ways:
Bench footing is a smart option if your home has a weaker foundation, unstable soil conditions, or if you’re working within a tighter budget and timeline.
Underpinning vs. Benching: Side-by-Side Comparison
Choosing between basement underpinning and benching depends on your budget, the structural conditions of your home, and your renovation goals. Both methods aim to increase headroom, but they differ significantly in terms of cost, complexity, and suitability for various homes.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve outlined a direct comparison of key factors — including cost, space impact, timelines, and foundation requirements. Use this table to quickly see which method is better aligned with your project needs:
| Criteria | Underpinning | Benching |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Range | $70,000 – $120,000 | $45,000 – $80,000 |
| Impact on Usable Floor Space | No loss of square footage | Reduces usable space along the perimeter |
| Complexity of Work | High – requires deep excavation and structural support | Moderate – no digging under the existing foundation |
| Risk Level | Higher foundation is directly altered | The lower foundation remains intact |
| Permit Required | Yes (always) | Often required, but depends on the municipality |
| Suitable for Weak Foundations | No – may compromise structural integrity | Yes – safer option for unstable or older foundations |
| Project Timeline | 10–16 weeks | 6–10 weeks |
| Potential Height Gain | Up to 2–4 feet | Up to 2–3 feet |
| Requires Neighbour’s Permission | Yes, especially with shared foundation walls | Not usually, unless excavation affects adjacent properties |
Basement Underpinning & Basement Benching
Underpinning a basement involves digging around the perimeter of the basement walls.
What we do in basement underpinning is remove the existing basement footings, excavate to a lower depth, and pour new footings at that new depth. We then rebuild the basement walls in sections and install new floors.
It is certainly a tough job that should be done by a foundation contractor. Hiring a skilled foundation expert to underpin your basement is the best way to guarantee your house’s foundation is not compromised.
Also, since basement underpinning requires a lot of excavation, it can be quite costly.
Basement benching (aka bench-footing) is another way to add height to your basement. Instead of excavating under the existing basement foundation, a bench or ledge is built around the inside perimeter of the existing walls. Then, we lower the basement foundation within the benched space. This method allows us to pour a new concrete slab at a lower depth without modifying the foundation walls.
Basement benching requires much less digging than underpinning, making it a lot cheaper and faster to complete. However, the most outstanding drawback to bench-footing is that it takes away from the square footage of the basement because of the fact that you have this new bench around the inside perimeter of your basement.
You can obviously take advantage of this bench and not let it become wasted space. Find a way to incorporate it into your basement decor. You can add cushions on the ledge to create some seating. You can also ask your contractor to turn it into a built-in storage space. Or better yet, you can even place your entertainment unit on it.
How to Choose the Right Basement Lowering Method?
Choosing between underpinning and benching comes down to your goals, structural conditions, and budget. Each method has specific advantages that make it more suitable for different scenarios. Here’s how to determine which option is right for your basement renovation:
In short, if you’re prioritizing space and height, and your foundation is stable, underpinning is ideal. If you’re looking for a lower-risk, budget-conscious option — especially in homes with structural limitations — benching may be the smarter route. A qualified contractor can assess your property and recommend the safest, most cost-effective approach.
Finding the Right Contractor for Basement Lowering
Lowering your basement is a complex and high-stakes renovation that directly impacts your home’s foundation. That’s why choosing the right contractor is just as important as selecting the right lowering method. Look for a company with proven experience in basement underpinning and benching, strong customer reviews, and a team that includes licensed structural engineers.
Before signing a contract, ask the following questions:
With basement lowering, there’s no room for shortcuts. RenoDuck has completed dozens of successful underpinning and benching projects across the GTA and is fully equipped to guide you through every step, from design and permits to construction and final inspection.
Need More Space? Let’s Talk Basement Lowering
If you’re looking to expand your living space without incurring the costs of a costly home addition, basement lowering could be the perfect solution. Whether you choose underpinning or benching, this renovation opens the door to creating a comfortable, high-ceilinged basement that adds real value to your home.
Are you unsure which method is right for you? Our team at RenoDuck is here to help — from inspection and planning to permits and construction, we’ll walk you through every step of the process with transparency and care.
Ready to increase your basement height? Request a free estimate today.
