If you are looking to grow your home in space or value, then basement underpinning may be the option for you. Basement underpinning can be part of a total basement remodel that will improve the structure of your home while increasing its overall value. Let’s take a look at what basement underpinning is, what it entails, and the benefits that it can bring to your home.
What Is Basement Underpinning and What Does It Involve?
Basement underpinning is a process that modifies and reinforces a home’s existing foundation while increasing the ceiling height by lowering the basement floor. Construction professionals start the process by removing the floor and soil below a home’s basement and crawlspace. Then, as part of the rebuild, new concrete footings, walls, and flooring are added back in to help create the newly redesigned basement space.
There are four methods of basement underpinning, the use of which is determined by the project’s purpose. They are:
- The traditional bench pinning method
- Helical pier installations strictly for structural repairs
- The overflow method of underpinning, offering the most benefit of all forms of underpinning and a method pioneered by GJ MacRae Foundation Repair in the late 1970’s.
Benefits of Basement Underpinning
If you’re not sold on the value of this process, let us describe just a few of the many benefits of underpinning your basement.
Increased Property Value
Probably the top benefit that comes with basement underpinning is the value it adds to your home. Whether you undertake a basement improvement project to increase your home’s functionality for your own use, or are looking to rehabilitate the space before reselling, basement underpinning is a value-added proposition that increases the price per square foot of your house.
Creates Additional Living Space
Underpinning will give you a totally remodeled and renovated basement space. This will give you the opportunity to use your basement as you see fit. It can serve as a new entertainment area, additional living room space, a “man cave,” an in-law suite, or a playroom for the kids. The basement is also an excellent space for extra bedrooms. Once you complete a basement underpinning and renovation project, the area of your house that was probably only used as a storage or utility space will quickly become the preferred destination for the entire family.
