BENCH FOOTINGS TORONTO
With over 20 years of experience, VMB Group is Toronto’s top choice for bench footings and basement lowering. Our dedicated team has completed more projects involving bench footings and basement lowering in the city than any other company. People choose us because of our competitive rates, exceptional craftsmanship, and a strong commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. Lower your basement today!
What Is Bench Footing?
Bench footings, also referred to as benching is a basement lowering process that is meant to add living space to your home at an affordable price and in a shorter time. If you have been longing to change your basement into a more useful space and want to modify it say to a study room or bedroom, benching would be a nice way to fulfill your needs.
Bench footing can be easily done and is not as involving as underpinning which is more expensive and takes longer to implement. That aside, bench footing is ideal for you if you want to increase living space without interfering with the house’s foundation.
When Does Your Home Need Bench Footings?
Bench footing is an ideal solution for your basement lowering for the fact that you need extra space for your home and you need to add value to your home. The idea comes to mind if your foundation walls have cracked or are buckled. A weak foundation can prove to be very detrimental to your home’s standing strength and may result in partial collapse or sinking of the house. So, there is a need to maintain the foundation’s firmness and strength so that it can effectively hold down the building structure.
Basement lowering – The simplest answer of why it is necessary to do basement bench footing is to increase the height of the basement. In most old houses, the basement was planned during construction as a technical room or was used as a warehouse for unnecessary things. In such a basement it is inconvenient to move around. Their height is usually 5.5 – 6 feet. You can significantly increase the height of the basement with the help of modern technologies to create a full-fledged living space in it. You will be able to place a gym, an extra bedroom, or any other room of your choice. This modification of the house is much cheaper than adding a floor to the house.
Cracked basement walls – Basement bench footing is a great solution when you start noticing structural wall damage in your basement. These construction works will not only increase the height of your basement. They will also strengthen the strength of the walls and foundation of the house. The architect evaluates the condition of the walls during bench footing, which serves as a guarantee of their quality. A new foundation will also be poured and the old drain and plumbing systems will be replaced in the course of the work, which will have a positive impact on the condition of your home.
Increase value before selling a house – Bench footing of the basement can be a great investment for increasing home value if you are considering selling it. You will greatly expand your home’s living space by creating a spacious 8-foot-high basement. It can be used to create additional rooms. The cost of bench footing in Toronto is significantly less than the cost of the resulting living space. In addition, you will be able to interest a much larger number of buyers because they do not have to spend time on these works.
Create a place for rent – As we mentioned earlier, a spacious basement can house many rooms. This is a great opportunity to rent out this space as a separate unit. A lot of homeowners who are in the business of renting out houses take advantage of this. The cost of bench footing is much cheaper than underpinning and therefore it is a great solution in this case. This will help accommodate more tenants in the house and make a significant profit from the monthly rent.
Why Choose Us for Bench Footings Basement Lowering
When it comes to bench footings and basement lowering, VMB Group stands out as Toronto’s trusted expert. Our skilled team offers innovative solutions that maximize your basement’s potential while ensuring structural integrity. We combine competitive rates with exceptional workmanship, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.
Highlights:
- Innovative Solutions: Tailored bench footing designs for your specific needs.
- Maximize Space: Increase usable space and ceiling height in your basement.
- Competitive Rates: Cost-effective solutions for your basement lowering project.
- Structural Integrity: Ensuring your home’s foundation remains strong and secure.
- Professional Service: Dedicated to providing a smooth and efficient process.
Step by Step Bench Footings Installation
Bench footing is a basement lowering process whereby extra support is added to your home using bench footing at the corners of the foundation walls. The basement level is lowered to a preferred depth and the foundation structures are widened for a more stable home. Well, in a simplified manner, here is the step-by-step guide to how benching is conducted by contractors in Toronto.
Demolition
Demolition of everything that is in the basement must be carried out before starting work on installing bench footing. It is necessary to take out all things and dismantle equipment and finishing materials if the basement was fully used.
The most time-consuming process at this stage will be the demolition of an old concrete slab. In most cases, this procedure is done manually due to the inability to deliver equipment to the basement. The room must be completely ready for digging the soil after this stage. It is necessary to fix the ceiling using jack posts if there are load-bearing walls in the center of the basement. They guarantee the stability of the building during construction work.
Excavation
The next step is to excavate the soil and deepen the foundation of the house. The first step is to dig a trench along the walls. After digging the trench, this place must be fixed with wooden formwork into which concrete will be poured to create a concrete bench at the next stage of work. The bench will protect your basement from soil from outside the house.
You can start digging the soil from the central part of the basement after the trench has been dug and reinforced. This is a very time-consuming process which in most cases is carried out with the help of shovels. You can proceed to the next stage of work by digging the soil to a certain depth and removing it from the basement.
Inspection
The architect must check all completed work after the excavation. He checks the new basement depth and the quality of the installed formwork for the concrete bench. The construction company cannot proceed to the next stage without getting approval from the architect.
Concrete Bench
Pouring concrete into a pre-prepared formwork is carried out at this stage. Concrete is fed into the basement using a special chute, which greatly simplifies the work. In the absence of access, workers bring in the concrete by hand and evenly pour it into the wooden formwork to create a concrete bench.
No air must remain inside the concrete. Otherwise, there will be air cavities inside the bench that will violate its structural integrity. Concrete will need 2-3 days to harden and take the desired shape.
Drain
All drain systems were located under the foundation and were dismantled and turned off while excavating the soil for a newfound depth. Connection and installation of new drain systems and all pipes that are used for the house are done at this stage. The drainage system must be installed according to the drawings.
Also at this stage, sump pumps are installed. This is a great modern way to protect the basement of the house from excessive moisture and leaks. You can learn more about sump pumps from our managers.
Waterproofing
It is time to install the basement waterproofing after all pipe communications have been made and the concrete benches have been strengthened. The basement is partly underground and must be protected from water from the soil.
Bench footings are covered with a special delta membrane from the interior side of the basement. A layer of drainage gravel is poured onto the ground to provide waterproofing for the foundation. A special waterproofing material is also laid on top of the gravel, which will allow the future concrete slab not to come into contact with moisture.
Concrete Slab
The final step of installing bench footing is the pouring of the concrete slab. The concrete slab must be smooth and with a predetermined slope for optimal drainage performance. Drying concrete slab can take up to a week depending on the time of year and other factors.
A concrete slab will finally harden in a couple of months, but after a week its strength will be enough for finishing work. At this stage, the bench footing process is complete and all that remains is to remove the debris.
Pros of Bench Footings over Underpinning
Bench footings as a basement lowering process have several benefits and importance which the homeowner enjoys after installation is done. Comparing bench footings and underpinning, as much as underpinning is preferred by most homeowners, benching also has its advantages. Benching is better in that:
Less labor intensive – Bench footings are less labor intensive than basement underpinning. Workers need to dig out less soil, which simplifies the process. This affects all important aspects of the process of construction work.
Cheaper – The best news for homeowners is that the cost of bench footing is lower than underpinning. The price often plays a decisive role when choosing a way of deepening the basement.
Takes less time – Basement bench footing is slightly faster than basement underpinning due to the simpler technical process. The construction process can take up to 4 weeks. This is good news for those who want to continue furnishing the new part of their home as quickly as possible.
Modify the benches – Concrete benches are very visible in the newly deepened basement after the completion of finishing works. Do not be upset because they can be easily used in the interior or hidden with the help of furniture. They can be hidden behind kitchen cabinets, and bedroom furniture or used as shower benches in the bathroom.
Our Work from Clients’ View
Anusa P.
2 years ago
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2 years ago
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jiban S.
2 years ago
Great service .I highly valur and reccomend their work.Thank u jay for the service
Bishal L.
2 years ago
Great company. Hope you guys provide work too like constructions and all.
Thank you joy.
Yalisha S.
2 years ago
Their services were great and highly professional.
SAAJAN B.
3 years ago
These guys are great. Very fast, responsive, no hidden fees. They went above and beyond in every way Thank you so much joy
Prasu
3 years ago
I have worked with VMB numerous times including my own house. This is an example of what construction service should look like: fairly priced, attentive, quick
Elad S.
3 years ago
I have worked with VMB numerous times including my own house. This is an example of what construction service should look like: fairly priced, attentive, quick, and "no questions asked" warranty policy. Zero risk. would not work with anyone else
Simon M
3 years ago
We had a great experience with the VMB Group and would highly recommend them for anyone looking to waterproof / underpin their basement. Mike worked with us from the beginning to understand the options, pricing, timelines etc., and kept us up-to-date on progress using the Monday app. We started with a wet, dark basement around 6'2, and finished with a waterproofed, dry 8'3 basement and we couldn't be happier with the result. Nothing was over the original quoted prices, and everything was done quickly and on time.
Note: two of the attached pictures show the before, and one is the after with the radiant floor heating installed, just before the concrete slab pour.
Disadvantages of Bench Footing
Benching also has disadvantages, a reason why most Toronto home owners prefer Underpinning. The demerits of bench footings are based on the space left once the installation and decoration of the basement has been complete. Due to the benches created, the living space is reduced and appears smaller in size. In addition to that, during digging and preparing to create the bench footings, you cannot excavate the soil to your preferred depth and need to determine the stability of the house before doing so.
In case you tried digging up and the faultiness in the foundation walls are severe, the damage caused can be so disastrous and lead to worse problems. The bench footings created are also a hindrance to the walls since they protrude a distance from the wall. It is also not as effective as underpinning in fixing cracks in the wall structures and may require additional fees to repair the cracks.
Finding contractor for benching as a solution for basement lowering
Bench footing is structural construction work that requires skills and knowledge. A good contractor understands your needs and what is required to complete the job successfully.
Basement benching does not require much work, but the professional you hire and his team need to familiarize themselves with your home and determine whether they can go ahead to add the bench footings or use a different method to achieve the same benefits.
VMB Group has been performing basement bench footing for over 15 years. Our team of professionals responsibly approaches each stage of work, taking into account the wishes of the homeowner. Fill out the form and our manager will contact you to discuss your wishes and agree on a free estimate.
Essential Precautions Before Starting Bench Footing
Before embarking on a bench footing project, it’s crucial to address several key factors to ensure the success and safety of the process. At VMB Group Underpinnings, we prioritize a thorough assessment to ensure your project is executed with precision and care. Here are the essential precautions to consider:
- Soil Assessment: The stability and composition of the soil where your home is built are critical factors. A comprehensive soil analysis helps determine the suitability of bench footing for your property and ensures the foundation remains stable.
- Determine Required Thickness: The thickness of the bench footing must be accurately calculated based on the structural demands of your home and the specific needs of your basement. Proper thickness ensures long-term stability and support.
- Understand Basement Usage: Consider the intended use of your basement. Whether it’s for additional living space, storage, or any other purpose, the design and depth of the bench footing should align with how you plan to use the area.
- Long-Term Maintenance Costs: Factor in the potential maintenance costs associated with bench footing. Understanding these costs upfront can help you make informed decisions and budget for future upkeep.
- Comprehensive Area Analysis: Engage experienced underpinning contractors to conduct a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior areas of your home. This analysis helps determine if bench footing is the most appropriate method for your foundation needs.
- Structural Design Review: Request an engineer to evaluate your property’s structural design, considering crucial elements such as the sanitary sewer connections and other foundational aspects. This review ensures the bench footing process is tailored to your home’s specific requirements.
- Obtain Necessary Permits: In many cases, lowering the basement or altering the foundation will require a building permit from the local municipality. Ensure you have all the necessary permits in place before beginning the project to avoid legal complications.
- Prepare the Basement: Clear the basement of all furniture, storage, and personal items before starting the bench footing process. This preparation ensures a safe and efficient work environment for the contractors.
Taking these precautions ensures that your bench footing project is carried out smoothly and successfully. VMB Group Underpinnings is here to guide you through each step, ensuring your home’s foundation is secure and well-prepared for the future.
What Is The Cost Of Bench Footing In Toronto?
The cost of installing bench footing in Toronto generally ranges from $300 to $500 per linear foot. However, this price can vary based on factors like the required depth and width of the footing, the complexity of the site, and the materials selected. Other considerations, such as site accessibility and the need for specialized equipment, can also influence the total cost.
FAQs About Bench Footing
How long does it take to install bench footing?
The installation time for bench footing can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. On average, it may take a few days to a week, but larger or more complicated projects could require more time.
Is bench footing necessary for all basement lowering projects?
Bench footing is commonly used in basement lowering projects where there are height restrictions or structural concerns. However, whether it is necessary depends on the specific requirements of your project and the condition of your foundation.
Can I get a precise estimate for my bench footing project?
Yes, you can receive a more accurate estimate by consulting with a professional contractor. They will assess your site, determine the required specifications, and provide a detailed cost estimate based on the specific needs of your project.
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