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Bench Footing Toronto & GTA
Solid Support, Solid Results! Trust GJ MacRae for Professional Bench Footings in Toronto.
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Bench Footing: Cost Effective Basement Lowering
A common problem in every household is needing more space! The house you bought had enough space at first, but you felt the squeeze as years passed! You purchased a new couch but wanted to keep the old one, and now there’s no space to store it. Or you bought a pool table to play with your pals, but there’s no space to keep it. So you think about building up or sideways but don’t realize the enormous cost! Building up requires you to change the entire structure of your upper floors to increase the ceiling height, which will cost you a fortune. Building sideways is not ideal either; you must sacrifice much of your favorite garden or yard space!
But what if we tell you you can expand your basement without spending a lot or giving away your outdoor garden space? A special kind of underpinning method, called Bench Pinning or Bench Footing, can increase your basement’s ceiling height.
Bench Footing Experts in Toronto
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair is an entirely family-owned basement waterproofing and foundation repair company that has been providing basement underpinning services in the GTA since 1975. Having served over 10,000+ customers, we are one of the best basement underpinning companies in Toronto, and our experienced team can create an ideal solution for your basement.
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair has served The GTA, Hamilton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Toronto, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Georgetown, and surrounding areas since 1975. Need more space in your house? Give us a call.
Benefits of Bench Footing
Bench footing or Bench underpinning is the process of expanding your basement height. You can raise the height of your basement without digging under the foundation wall and footing. This method supports the original foundation and is connected to the new floor at a lower height. This method is safe, quick, and economical compared to other basement height-increasing methods.
Bench Footing is ideal for homeowners whose houses are very close or attached to another building, and performing basement underpinning may be risky. Suppose you want to increase your basement height quicker and under a small budget. In that case, a bench footing is the ideal solution for you. Even though you can get the desired height, you must sacrifice a little of your square footage to install a bench footing. However, it is still a win-win. You get a taller, livable basement and more robust foundation support at a fraction of the cost of a complete underpinning installation.
Bench Footing Installation Process
01
The first step is to contact an engineer to come to your home for a design drawing. The drawing is a detailed plan of the structure and a plan on how to extend the footings and remove load-bearing walls throughout the entire basement. This plan is then used to obtain a building permit from the city.
02
Once the permit is in place, the next step is to prepare the site and clear everything out of the basement. After everything is cleared out, the excavation process starts. We dig a pit in the ground according to the desired dimensions and depth of the bench footing. The trench should be wide enough to accommodate the bench’s width and deep enough to provide stability.
03
We then installed reinforcement bars within the trench and created a formwork. The size and spacing should be according to your desired bench footing size.
04
After everything is set, we pour the concrete into the form. Then, the surface is leveled to create a smooth bench. The concrete structure is then left to cure.
05
New drainage and weeping tile systems have been installed on the newly dug floor. This will help to keep your basement functioning and waterproofed adequately.
06
After everything is in place, a new concrete floor is poured, and the new floor is a few feet below the original floor. You will get a taller basement and a new floor when the new concrete floor cures.
HIGH QUALITY FOUNDATION REPAIR
Why Choose GJ MacRae?
- Highest Rated Customer Service: Customer satisfaction is our primary goal. We will work with you closely to understand your needs and provide the best solution to your foundation repair project.
- Comprehensive Services: With GJ MacRae, homeowners can find all foundation repair solutions under one roof. From foundation crack repair to exterior waterproofing and weeping tile installations, we have the expertise and resources to address your complete waterproofing needs from start to finish.
- Extensive Experience: With nearly 50 years of experience in the industry, GJ MacRae is known for delivering quality, long-term basement waterproofing solutions while tackling even the most challenging waterproofing projects with confidence and expertise.
KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE LONG TERM
Protect Your Foundation
- Competitive Pricing: GJ MacRae offers competitive basement waterproofing services without compromising quality. We provide transparent, fair quotes that ensure homeowners receive the best long-term value.
- Quality Materials: GJ MacRae uses high-quality repair materials combined with the latest waterproofing techniques, and we are experts in all phases of basement waterproofing. Plus, we offer innovative solutions that guarantee long-lasting protection against water infiltration.
- Protect Your Investment: When protecting your foundation walls and basement from water damage, choosing GJ MacRae Foundation Repair for basement waterproofing in Toronto ensures you receive the highest quality repair solution to safeguard your foundation long-term.
Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Projects in Toronto and the GTA
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Some Kind Words From Our Customers
Anthony Brown
2024-04-18
We had a leak from two sources in our furnace room, that occurred after a moderate to heavy rainfall. We hired GJ Macrae to excavate by the outside wall, repair the cracks and protect the wall with a membrane and mesh. Part of the trench had to be dug by hand, due to a gas line, and part could be done by machine. The GJ Macrae team were all very skilled and professional, and completed the job in three days. Now the trench has been refilled with the earth and gravel and it will take some time for the ground to settle. We have had a few heavy rains since the job was completed, and our basement is now completely dry! We highly recommend GJ Macrae!
Robert Sraka
2024-03-19
From our initial discussion with Dean through to the completion of the project I was most impressed with knowledge and professionalism. We had foundation damage from a tree root and they took the time to explain what was required and the steps involved in rectifying the situation. I highly recommend GJ MacRae for any foundation work you may need.
Wendy M
2024-03-13
The extremely labour-intensive work done on our heritage home basement by the staff at GJ MacRae was nothing but impressive! They handled it all with great care, attention and finesse every step of the way. Thank you!
Lisa Nicholson
2024-03-09
Our experience with Gavin went very well. We are very pleased with the quality of work that was done.
They did an excellent job repairing the leaks and the cleanup was great too.
Gavin was a pleasure to deal with. He was very professional and pleasant.
We highly recommend this company.
Stephanie Williams
2024-02-29
Honest, courteous, thorough, professional, reliable, on-time, clean and trustworthy. Solved our home’s basement water concerns caused from living on the flood plain (water table). Would definitely recommend GJMacRae Ltd as the company to fix your wet basement. Dean and his crew’s attention to detail solved the various challenges of our 91 year old home.
Maria Aleman
2024-02-05
Dean, came out right away after we noticed water in our basement and provided an estimate. Communication with him was easy and he answered all my questions. Work was done within the week. I had a great experience and will recommend to others.
Jakob Backstrom
2023-11-17
Gavin and his team did a great job. Right from quoting the job I had confidence they can do the job well and had the experience. Great videos on their website really help you understand what’s involved in foundation repair.
Bob
2023-11-15
Job was done in 2 days which I was amazed it could be done that quickly! That’s a lot of pails of concrete and rock that had to be shuttled in and out of the house!
The guys were all very friendly and let me know everything that was being done and answered all my questions!
The bowed wall looks solidly supported now with carbon fibre strapping and the water found beneath the floor is now being safely routed through newly installed
Plastic Weeper to our sump.
We now have peace of mind that we can finish the basement with no leaks or crumbling walls!
Thankyou Gavin, Maggi, Ricardo and Jay!
Debra Gold
2023-10-16
We would like to express our gratitude to G.J. McRae for the exceptional job they did in restoring our peace of mind. Every time it rained or snowed, our basement would leak, causing us great distress. However, the crew from G.J. McRae arrived promptly, worked diligently, and efficiently resolved the issue. They even left our backyard in excellent condition, cleaning up after themselves. We cannot thank you enough for the outstanding service and for making us feel confident that the problem is now completely resolved.
We are so happy to be able to not worry about this any longer.
Tricia LaDouceur
2023-10-16
Workers were on time and professional. Quality and value for money. My only issue was the concrete poured was a little uneven causing a small lip near the drain. We managed to smooth it out. Would highly recommend GJ MacRae Foundation Repair.
Increase Your Basement Height with Bench Footings: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Underpinning
There are many methods to increase your basement height. Still, if you want something budget-friendly, a bench footing is the way to go. Bench footings can be carried out without hindering the existing footing, and adding the new bench enhances the structural integrity of your foundations. Also, it is very cost-effective and can be done very quickly.
So, if you have a basement with too little height, weak footing, and cracked foundation walls, contact GJ MacRae, the finest bench footing contractor in Toronto. We provide the best bench footing service in Toronto, basement waterproofing, and other foundation repair services. Give us a call or fill out the form below, and our team will inspect your basement and provide an ideal solution. Feel free to contact us at (905) 824-2557 or complete the form below.
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We genuinely want each step of your journey (from the very first Google search to a leak-free basement) to be positive!
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At GJ MacRae, we take pride in extending our services across the GTA to meet our valued customers’ unique needs, and our dedicated team is committed to delivering top-notch solutions all year long. Our expansive service areas are a testament to our unwavering commitment to the highest quality foundation repair services and customer satisfaction in the GTA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In Toronto, basement underpinning costs can range from $750 to $950 per linear foot. For most projects, it costs around $70,000. So, for the exact cost of your project, it’s best to talk to a professional underpinning service.
Benching is a preventive or corrective technique to improve stability. In contrast, underpinning is a more extensive solution to tackle significant foundation problems. Additionally, underpinning is also used to deepen a foundation.
The cost of underpinning falls between $750 and $950 per linear foot due to the complex foundation work required. In contrast, benching offers a more economical solution. Its expenses range from $450 to $650 per linear foot.
Potentially, but it depends on the specific circumstances of your property and the extent of the floor lowering required.
The cost of foundation benching ranges from $35,000 to $45,000. This process includes constructing a concrete ledge or ‘bench’ along the inner walls of the basement. The foundation is then lowered within this benched area. It is then followed by pouring a new concrete floor at a lower depth.
Basement benching requires approximately four to six weeks for completion. This method resembles underpinning but involves creating a bench inside the basement without excavating beneath the foundation.
Expert Waterproofing Services for Your Home
GJ MacRae Foundation Repair has been the industry leader for reliable basement waterproofing in the Greater Toronto Area Since 1975. Nearly five decades of experience inform our proven multi-stage repair process based on below-grade drainage considerations that allow us to waterproof concrete blocks, poured walls, and stone rubble foundation walls properly for the long term. Our repair solutions for leaking foundation cracks include using bitumen-based barrier membranes and high-efficiency weeping tile systems, which give us the edge in reliability and allow for the most robust foundation repair warranty available today in the GTA. Experience the GJ MacRae difference for year-round basement leak repairs in Toronto, Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, and Georgetown. If you spot cracked foundation walls, leaky foundations, or any other basement waterproofing issues in your house, reach out and call us today at (905) 824-2557.
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The Original Wetbasements Experts
Serving Toronto and the GTA Since 1975
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