Basement Lowering in East York Bungalow

About this project

This 1920s East York bungalow had a basement that was essentially unusable—5'6" ceiling height with a dirt floor in some areas. The homeowners wanted to create a legal basement apartment for rental income. We lowered the floor by 30 inches through bench-style underpinning, poured a new concrete slab with in-floor drainage, and waterproofed the foundation. The finished space now has 8' ceilings, a separate entrance, and generates significant rental income.

Before & after

Before

After

Scope of work

• Structural engineering and permit drawings
• Bench-style underpinning in 4' sections
• Lowered floor by 30 inches
• New 4" concrete slab with vapor barrier
• Interior weeping tile and sump pump
• Exterior waterproofing membrane
• Window well enlargement for egress
• Separate entrance installation

Results

• Increased ceiling height from 5'6" to 8'
• Legal basement apartment with separate entrance
• Rental income covering significant portion of mortgage
• Added approximately $150,000 to home value

Project gallery

“Our 1920s house had a 5'6" basement—basically storage. Now it's 8 feet with a legal apartment. The rental income covers a big chunk of our mortgage. Should have done it years ago.”