Benching vs Underpinning: Which One’s Right in Toronto?
If you’ve got a basement that’s too short to stand up in, or you want to turn it into livable space, you’ve probably heard two terms thrown around: underpinning and benching.
Both can help you lower your basement floor and gain ceiling height, but they’re very different methods, with different costs, uses, and risks.
In this article, we’ll break them both down in plain English, so you can understand exactly what each one does, when to use it, and how to avoid a basement renovation disaster.
Basement Underpinning
Underpinning is the process of digging below your existing foundation to extend it deeper into the ground.
Basically, you’re lowering the basement floor by lifting the whole house’s support system further down.
It’s like giving your home new, longer legs—but without moving it.
Here’s how it works:
- Contractors dig sections beneath the footing
- Pour new concrete below the old base
- Repeat the process around the entire perimeter.
- Once complete, the basement floor can be dug out several feet lower, giving you more headroom.
This method is often used when you want to maximize ceiling height and increase the value of your home by turning a crawl space or low basement into a fully finished space.
Pros of Basement Underpinning
- More Height, More Space: You can often get a full 8- to 9-foot ceiling height, making your basement feel like a main floor.
- Stronger Foundation: If done right, it strengthens the home’s structure and may fix existing settlement issues.
- Increases Home Value: More livable space means more resale value, especially in cities like Toronto where square footage is gold.
- Allows for Walkouts: You can create basement walkouts or secondary suites more easily.
Cons of Basement Underpinning
- More Expensive: It’s usually the most costly option due to labour, engineering, and permits.
- Takes Longer: Because the process is more invasive and done in stages, it can take several weeks to complete.
- Requires Engineering: You’ll need drawings, permits, and inspections from the city—and a professional structural engineer.
Basement Benching
Benching, also called a bench footing, is a way to lower the basement floor without touching the original foundation. Instead of digging under the existing footings, contractors create new concrete walls inside the old ones, sloped out like a bench—hence the name.
Picture it like this: you dig down inside your basement, but instead of undermining the old footing, you pour an angled concrete ledge around the inside perimeter. The original foundation stays put. The bench becomes the new support wall.
This method is often used when underpinning is too expensive, too risky, or simply not necessary.
Pros of Basement Benching
- More Affordable: No digging under your home’s foundation means less labour and lower risk, so the cost is usually much lower than underpinning.
- Faster Project Timeline: Because it’s simpler, jobs can often be completed in half the time.
- No Need to Disturb Footings: Great for older homes with fragile foundations, or when engineering limitations prevent underpinning.
Cons of Basement Benching
- Takes Up Space: The bench itself is bulky and sticks out from the walls, taking up precious square footage—sometimes 12 to 24 inches around the perimeter.
- Less Headroom Gain: You’re limited in how far down you can go, since you have to stay above existing footing depth.
- May Affect Resale Value: Some buyers may see benches as a downside, especially if the goal is a clean, open basement layout.
What Is Right For You?
So how do you decide between underpinning and benching? It depends on your goals, your budget, and your house.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Goal | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Maximize ceiling height | Underpinning |
| Keep project affordable | Benching |
| Add a legal rental suite | Underpinning (usually required by code) |
| Avoid touching the foundation | Benching |
| Increase home resale value | Underpinning |
| Work around old/cracked foundations | Benching |
Also, keep in mind: local building codes matter. In places like Toronto, basement apartments require minimum ceiling heights, separate entrances, and sometimes fireproofing—all of which are easier to achieve with underpinning.
Still unsure? This isn’t a decision you want to guess on. A structural engineer or licensed contractor can inspect your foundation and tell you what’s realistic, safe, and legal.
How to Choose the Right Contractor
Lowering a basement is not a DIY job. Get the wrong crew, and you could end up with:
- Cracked foundation
- Leaking basement
- Lawsuit from your insurance company
- Failed city inspection
Here’s what to look for in a contractor:
- Structural Insurance: Most demo or reno companies don’t carry it. If something goes wrong, you could be paying out of pocket. Don’t take the risk.
- Proper Licensing & Permits: They should be registered to do basement lowering in your city or region.
- Experience with Both Methods: A contractor who only does benching might steer you in that direction, even if it’s not best for your home.
- Hazard Material Certification: If there’s any chance of asbestos or mold (common in older basements), your contractor should be certified to deal with it safely.
- References and Finished Projects: Always ask to see completed jobs and talk to past customers.
Underpinning Experts in Toronto
If you think underpinning might be the right solution for your basement, we’re here to help.
We offer free consultations to assess your foundation, ceiling height, and structural conditions. No pressure, no guesswork—just straight answers from trained professionals.
If underpinning is the right choice, we’ll take care of it from start to finish. We’re fully licensed, structurally insured, and carry all required certifications to work with complex foundations and hazardous materials.
We’ve done underpinning jobs all over Toronto and the GTA—from single-family homes to multi-unit conversions. Whether you’re trying to gain more space, build a rental suite, or fix a failing foundation, we’ll make sure the job is done safely, legally, and cleanly.