Underpinning, basement lowering, bench footing, crawl space conversion, structural excavation, demolition, and soil removal — all engineered, permitted, and backed by our written warranty.
What Is Underpinning?
Underpinning lowers your basement floor by excavating below the existing foundation footings and pouring new engineered concrete supports — effectively deepening your foundation without disturbing the structure above.
The result: a basement that goes from a cramped 6-foot crawl space to a full 8–9 ft ceiling height — fully compliant with Ontario Building Code for legal secondary suites, in-law apartments, or expanded living areas.
8–9ft
Ceiling height
30%+
Home value increase
100%
Permitted & code
20yr
Structural Warranty
All Foundation Services
Sequential bench-cut underpinning to lower your basement floor. Engineered, permitted, inspected at every phase. Creates legal full-height living space from a low crawl space.
Lower your existing basement floor to achieve legal ceiling heights. We handle engineering drawings, City permits, excavation, new concrete floor pour, and waterproofing — all in one.
Bench footing is an alternative to full underpinning — a stepped footing is poured beside (rather than beneath) the existing footing. Faster and more cost-effective for certain layouts while still creating usable height.
Convert a dirt or partial crawl space into a full-height, waterproofed, and insulated basement. Includes excavation, structural work, new concrete floor, and complete waterproofing system.
Safe, controlled excavation for foundation work, new construction, and structural projects. We follow strict shoring protocols and engineering limits to protect your home throughout the excavation process.
Interior demolition, concrete breaking, soil removal and disposal, and construction cleanup. We haul away all material and leave the site clean, ready for the next phase of your project.
The Process
Our proven sequential bench-cut method is the safest approach for GTA residential foundations.
A licensed structural engineer prepares stamped drawings. DryCore submits for all required building permits. No excavation starts until City approval is confirmed.
Working in alternating sections, our crew hand-excavates beneath the footing in a precise sequence. Only one section is open at a time — maintaining full structural load support.
Each bench is formed and poured with engineered concrete per the structural drawings. Rebar reinforcement per spec. Inspected and approved before proceeding.
After all benches cure, a new reinforced floor slab is poured. Interior waterproofing — drainage membrane, weeping tile, sump — is installed beneath the slab. Permanently dry.
Safety & Compliance
Underpinning involves excavating directly beneath your home's load-bearing foundation. DryCore has completed hundreds of underpinning projects without a single structural incident.
Free underpinning consultation. Written estimate. No obligation.