Partial Crawl-Space Underpinning Project in Westdale, Hamilton
Low-headroom crawl space blocked legal second-suite conversion of the front half of the basement. Completed by Toronto Basement Underpinning in February 2024. Fixed-price contract, engineered drawings and City of Hamilton permit coordination included.
- Delivered on time and within budget
- 9.6/10
- Total project cost
- $18,000
- Local labor
- 90%
- Local supplier spend
- 100%
- Basement size
- 580 sqft
- New area gained
- 320 sqft
- Linear footage underpinned
- 60 lin ft
- Pins poured
- 11
- Depth gain
- 1'8"
- Original ceiling
- 5'6"
- Finished ceiling
- 7'2"
- Client
- Homeowner in Hamilton
- Completion
- February 2024
- Location
- Westdale, Hamilton, ON
- Sector
- Residential
- Permit turnaround
- 4 weeks
- Warranty
- 5 years
Introduction
Low-headroom crawl space blocked legal second-suite conversion of the front half of the basement. The property is a residential home in Westdale, Hamilton, with an original 5'6" basement ceiling across a 580 sqft footprint. Our crews delivered a front crawl-space section only project under a fixed-price contract that bundled engineered drawings, City of Hamilton permit coordination, excavation, pin-by-pin underpinning, interior waterproofing, and new slab pour.
The scope lowered the basement by 1'8" to deliver a 7'2" finished ceiling across 320 sqft of newly usable standing-height basement area, directly enabling the homeowner's plan for a legal secondary use of the lower level.
The Underpinning Process
A controlled sequence of engineered steps delivered the Westdale project on time and within budget. Each phase passed City of Hamilton inspection before the next began.
1. Initial Assessment and Planning
Walk-through of the crawl space, perimeter measurement, soil probe, and confirmation that only the front half required lowering to clear the 1.95m Section 9.36 minimum. Engineered drawings issued within 48 hours.
2. Excavation
Pin-by-pin controlled excavation along 60 linear feet of front and corner foundation walls, maintaining the sequential pattern required to keep the upper floor fully supported throughout.
3. Underpinning Pits
New concrete footings poured at 1.95m below the existing slab in 2-metre segments. Each pit was fully cured before the adjacent segment was opened.
4. Steel Reinforcement
15M vertical rebar cages tied into both the new pit and the retained upper footing to transfer load through the extended column.
5. Structural Supports
Temporary 4x4 shoring posts under the main carrying beam during open-pit stages. Removed sequentially as each pin cured.
6. Waterproofing and Drainage
Delta-MS membrane applied to the newly exposed interior wall, perforated weeping tile set in gravel at the base, and connected to the existing sump pit.
7. Insulation and Finishing
New reinforced slab poured to grade, troweled smooth and left bare for the homeowner's finishing trade.
Our Approach
Delivered on time and within budget. The Westdale project ran through several site challenges: hamilton's niagara escarpment shale bedrock rises close to the surface across the mountain neighbourhoods, capping practical underpinning depth without rock excavation; lower-city victorian stock sits on native clay with 1890s stone rubble footings. We addressed each early by sourcing locally where material shortages hit, scheduling around weather windows, and running hydraulic jacks plus specialised concrete mixes during the deepest excavation phase. Modern waterproofing membranes replaced the aging drainage components, and the result is a basement that is both structurally sound and dry.
What's Included in This Project Scope
The fixed-price contract covered every item below. No line-item surprises, no change orders unless the homeowner added scope. One contract, one warranty, one crew.
- Initial site assessment and engineered drawings
- City permit application and inspection coordination
- Pin-by-pin excavation of the front and corner wall sections
- Mass-poured concrete underpinning pins at engineered depth
- 15M vertical rebar cages tied into the retained upper footing
- Interior Delta-MS waterproofing membrane and perforated weeping tile
- Reinforced slab pour to grade with vapor barrier
- Workmanship warranty on all structural work
Social Impact
All crew and 100% of materials sourced from suppliers within the local trade district. The scope kept the main floor fully occupied and operational throughout the four-week on-site phase.
Client Testimonials
Rated 4.9 stars across projects documented on the site.
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Thinking About Underpinning in Hamilton?
Every project on this site is delivered on a fixed-price contract with engineered drawings, City of Hamilton permits, and a workmanship warranty included. The scope of your project may differ from this one - we size the quote to your actual building, soil, and depth-gain goal. Book a free site assessment and we respond within two business hours.