BasementLowering Toronto
Basement Lowering Toronto
Not every basement needs full underpinning to gain usable height, basement lowering Toronto homeowners choose is often the faster, more affordable path to a taller basement, using a bench footing method rather than excavating below your existing foundation. It’s a strong fit for basements that need more headroom but don’t require the structural reinforcement full underpinning provides. Contact Aquatech for a free assessment to find out which method is right for your home.
What Is Basement Lowering?
Basement lowering increases your basement’s ceiling height by excavating a stepped “bench” around the perimeter of your existing foundation footing, rather than digging below it. This method, also called bench footing, is less invasive and less expensive than underpinning, since your existing footing stays intact and doesn’t need to be replaced.
The tradeoff is floor space: the bench itself takes up a strip of floor area around the perimeter of the room, meaning you gain height but lose some square footage. For basements where the existing foundation is sound and full-height living space isn’t the goal, this tradeoff is often well worth it for the lower cost and shorter timeline.
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What Our Clients Have to Say
Basement Waterproofing Testimonials
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsIgor and Anatolia installed a new sump pump and interior waterproofing after a basement flood. The crew worked efficiently, kept the area clean, and finished on schedule. Professional, knowledgeable, and fairly priced—would absolutely recommend.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsVlad’s crew worked diligently and professionally to waterproof our foundation. They made sure everything was tidy and clean when they were done. Everything was very good from the beginning communication to get the quote until the very end. We highly recommend this company.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsJust had our house waterpoofed by Aquatech – fabulous job! They did exactly what was outlined to us … no surprises, which was wonderful. The workers on site, Igor and Anatoly, were amazing, very professional and detailed oriented. We had a couple of things that were out of the scope of the project and Igor went over and above resolving all issues beyond our expectations. In all, a very professional job and they tidied up after themselves – highly recommend!!
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsAlex and crew just finished. They were quick and left no mess afterwards. Time will tell how the exterior waterproofing holds up but I’m hoping it’s good now!
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsAlex & Alex dud an amazing job. Prompt, hard workers and kept everything as clean as possible. Looks great .than you.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsMy basement sump pump room wall just below my outside stairs and veranda were wet when we had more than 1 inch of rain. I called Aquatech Basement Waterproofing, and assigned Eric to meet me and assessed the work to be done and provided a very reasonable quote, and the work was scheduled to meet my schedule. There were 2 crews of 2 men all from Ukraine, all very knowledgeable, professional and did a wonderful job. They protected the flooring from the my main doorway right down to the basement room where the work was being done. The first 2 man crew removed the Styrofoam from that was on the basement walls and ceiling, moved my battery backup sump pump and moved to a safe locatiion while working in a small area. They broke the concrete floor around the room down to the footings, which needed to be to add weeping tile. They cleaned the area as they worked, removed the concrete debris and then brought in the required material to install weeping tile. The second crew assisted with the installation of the waterproof membrane on the walls, install the weeping tile and cementing of the part of the floor where the weeping tile was installed and added to the sump pump basin. They reinstalled the light and light switch, wall plug outlet. This all was done in a few hours. I would highly recommend Aquatech as their staff are very knowledgeable and very efficient in doing their job. I would definitely use them again if I have any future for any basement Waterproofing, or water issues. Thank you so very much Dianne P. The were very professional s advised that I ca Eric came by promptly, assessed the situation, gave me a quote, very reasonable and scheduled
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsThanks to Andrew, Will, Vasyl, and Yuriy of Aquatech Waterproofing, I no longer panic when the weather forecast calls for rain. The four-man team applied interior waterproofing to a large portion of my basement in less than seven hours. They placed Dimpleboard on the walls, installed and covered new four-inch plastic weeping tile pipe and also backfilled, cleaned and cemented the entire work area. The crew was courteous, on time and professional. Company representative, Nico, who appraised the job before the work began, was also very knowledgeable and kindly answered all my questions. The cost was extremely reasonable and I have a transferable life-time warranty for their services. I highly recommend them.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsAquatech Project Consultant Richard responded ultra-quickly to my call for an estimate on 2 cracks on the inside of my basement foundation wall, visible only after I removed panelling & insulation & only when it rained heavily & water was pouring through those 2 small cracks. Richard impressed me with his assessment expertise & the speed at which he provided the best quote & solution for my leaks & my budget as a retiree on a fixed income. The repair on the outside wall with weeping tile replacement & utilities locates was scheduled & communication with Rita in the office & follow up with Richard was excellent. The day of the repair, Water Proof Technicians Vasyl & Yuriy arrived on time & ready to work. They were totally professional, polite & prepared with expertise & the right equipment to complete the task. They impressed me to no end with their work ethic & support for each other rotating in & out of the trench to get down to the footings. They installed the new weeping tile, cleaned the foundation wall & revealed 2 very long cracks which they V cut and repaired with hydraulic concrete. The rest of the process was their standard applications of Aqua Block, fibreglass mesh, another layer of Aqua Block, a layer of Poly-tarp, & a Dimpleboard membrane installation. They back filled the trench & cleaned up the area to perfection. Aquatech is blessed to have Vasyl & Yuriy as employees – thorough & meticulous. They are 12 out of 10 in my opinion!!! Note: 2 of my neighbours were impressed & asked for Aquatech’s phone number from me. Thank you Richard, Rita, Vasyl & Yuri.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsAquatech consultant, Shawn McGirr, investigated my water problem and provided a realistic and cost effective solution. A few days later Bob and Alex arrived to do the work. They both worked very hard and were efficient and clean. They completed an incredible amount of work in a very short period of time and left the worksite as clean as it was before they arrived. I’m confident that the issue has been resolved and comforted by the lifetime warranty.
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Rated 5 out of 5 starsAlex, Eugene, Mike and Igor did an amazing job with my basement waterproofing project. They were very personable, very hardworking and very efficient. I was very pleasantly surprised how quickly they finished the job. Everything was cleaned up and put back in order when they were done. I definitely recommend Aquatech Waterproofing. From my first meeting with Tony to discuss the project, I could tell they were the right choice
How Much Does Basement Lowering Cost in Toronto?
Basement lowering in Toronto typically costs $30 to $100 per square foot, depending on your basement’s current depth, foundation type, and site accessibility. This makes it meaningfully more affordable than full underpinning, which runs $100 to $500 per square foot, since bench footing doesn’t require excavating below your existing foundation. Contact Aquatech for a free, itemized quote specific to your home.
Will Basement Lowering Reduce My Floor Space?
Yes, and it’s worth understanding before you commit. Because bench footing excavates a stepped bench around your foundation’s perimeter rather than beneath it, you’ll lose a strip of floor space, typically along the walls, in exchange for the added ceiling height.
For most basements, this tradeoff is minor compared to the height gained, but it’s a genuine difference from underpinning, which doesn’t reduce floor space since it excavates below the existing footing instead. Aquatech will show you exactly how much space the bench requires for your specific foundation before work begins, so there are no surprises.
Why Choose Aquatech for Basement Lowering Toronto
Basement lowering only pays off if it’s done by someone who understands exactly how much bench width your foundation type requires: get it wrong, and you either compromise structural stability or lose more floor space than necessary. Aquatech has handled basement lowering and bench footing projects across Toronto and the GTA since 1996, with licensed oversight on every job and a lifetime warranty backing the result. We’ll also tell you honestly if your basement actually needs full underpinning instead, rather than defaulting to the cheaper option just to win the job.
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Our Toronto Basement Lowering Process
Because basement lowering still involves excavation and structural work at your foundation, every project follows a clear eight-step process from initial evaluation through final inspection. Permits and structural planning happen before any digging begins, so the work proceeds safely and stays fully code-compliant from start to finish. Here’s exactly how it works.
1. Consultation and Structural Evaluation
We assess your foundation type, current basement depth, and site conditions to confirm bench footing is the right method for your home.
2. Design and Planning
The bench width and new floor depth are calculated based on your foundation’s structural requirements and your headroom goals.
3. Permits and Approvals
All required City of Toronto permits and structural sign-offs are secured before any excavation begins.
4. Site Preparation
The basement is cleared and prepared, with any utilities or obstructions relocated as needed before excavation starts.
5. Excavation
Soil is excavated around the perimeter of the existing footing, creating the stepped bench that will support the new, lower floor level.
6. Footing and Bench Reinforcement
The new bench footing is reinforced and poured, anchored securely to your existing foundation.
7. New Floor Installation
A complete waterproofing system is installed to keep the newly converted space permanently dry, critical for any space that will be finished or used for storage.
8. Finishing and Final Inspection
The space is finished and the city conducts final inspection to confirm the work meets code before the project is considered complete.
Do I Need a Permit for Basement Lowering in Toronto?
Yes, because bench footing involves excavation and structural work at your foundation, it requires a permit from the City of Toronto, similar to underpinning. The scope of review may be lighter than a full underpinning permit given the smaller structural footprint, but it’s not optional. Aquatech manages the full permit process for you.
6 Benefits of Basement Lowering
01
More Affordable Than Full Underpinning
Gain real headroom at roughly a third of the cost of a full underpinning project.
02
Faster Project Timeline
Without sectional excavation below the footing, lowering typically completes faster than underpinning.
03
Increases Usable Ceiling Height
Turns a cramped, low-clearance basement into a space that’s actually comfortable to use.
04
Less Disruptive Than Full Underpinning
A smaller structural scope means less noise, vibration, and disruption to your home during construction.
05
Prepares Your Basement for Finishing
Extra headroom makes a finished basement feel like genuine living space, not an afterthought.
06
Increases Home Value
Added usable height contributes real value, even without the full square-footage gain of underpinning.
Comparing Your Options: Lowering vs. Underpinning vs. Crawl Space Conversion
Basement lowering, underpinning, and crawl space conversion all add usable space below your home, but they’re not interchangeable: the right one depends on your foundation, your budget, and how much height you actually need. Here’s how they compare side by side.
| Basement Lowering | Basement Underpinning | Crawl Space Conversion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Adding headroom to an existing basement affordably | Maximum height + foundation reinforcement | Converting a crawl space, not a full basement |
| Method | Bench footing around existing perimeter | Excavates below existing footing | Excavation + waterproofing of crawl space |
| Cost | $30-$100/sq ft | $100-$500/sq ft | $30-$220/sq ft |
| Floor space impact | Reduces perimeter floor space | No floor space loss | Typically higher, full structural underpinning |
| Structural reinforcement | No | Yes | Minimal |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes | Usually |
