Benching for Basement Renovations

In many Toronto homes, basement height is limited. If you’re planning to renovate, improve comfort, or explore rental potential, lowering the basement floor often becomes part of the conversation.

Two structural methods are typically considered: bench footing (benching) and full underpinning.

Both are valid.
But they serve different purposes.

The right choice depends on your foundation condition, budget, and long-term plans.

Let’s break it down clearly.

 

What Is Bench Footing?

Bench footing is a structural method that lowers the basement floor without digging directly under the existing foundation walls.

Instead, we:

• Excavate the center of the basement
• Leave the original footings undisturbed
• Build reinforced concrete “benches” along the interior perimeter
• Pour a new, lower slab

These benches support the load of the house while allowing additional headroom in the center of the basement.

It’s not a cosmetic ledge – it’s structural reinforcement.

 

When Benching Is a Good Option

Bench footing can be the right solution when:

• Your existing foundation is structurally sound
• You only need moderate height improvement
• You’re not planning a legal basement apartment
• You want a more budget-conscious solution
• The basement will be used for personal space (rec room, gym, storage)

In many Toronto bungalows and older homes across Scarborough or Etobicoke, benching works well when the goal is improved usability – not full structural redesign.

It’s practical.
It’s safe when engineered properly.
And it can achieve meaningful height gains.

 

When Full Underpinning Is the Better Choice

Underpinning becomes necessary or strongly recommended when:

• There are foundation cracks or settlement issues
• The home requires structural strengthening
• You’re adding additional load (second story, major renovation)
• You want to maximize every inch of usable basement space
• You’re building a legal secondary suite
• Long-term property value is a priority

Underpinning extends the foundation downward and lowers the entire basement uniformly – no interior ledges.

In dense Toronto neighborhoods like North York or older central areas, where lot sizes are tight and resale expectations are high, underpinning often makes more long-term sense.

 

The Real Difference Comes Down to Goals

Here’s the honest truth:

Benching is not a shortcut.
Underpinning is not always necessary.

If your foundation is stable and you simply want more headroom for personal use, bench footing may be entirely appropriate.

But if your plans involve rental income, structural upgrades, or maximizing resale value, underpinning is often the smarter investment.

The mistake homeowners make is choosing based only on upfront cost – without considering how they’ll use the space five or ten years from now.

 

What We Actually Recommend

At IcyReno, we don’t push one method over the other.

We start with:

• Structural inspection
• Soil and footing evaluation
• Permit feasibility
• Your long-term plans

Then we tell you honestly which method fits your home.

Sometimes it’s benching.
Sometimes it’s underpinning.
Sometimes it’s partial underpinning combined with other reinforcement.

Every home in Toronto is different – especially older properties.

 

Not Sure What Your Basement Needs?

If you’re considering lowering your basement in Toronto, Scarborough, North York, or Etobicoke, the first step isn’t choosing a method.

It’s understanding your structure.

A proper evaluation will tell you whether bench footing is sufficient or whether basement underpinning is necessary for safety and long-term performance. Call us today for a free evaluation!

And that decision should always be based on engineering and structural reality – not just budget.