Underpinning & Basement Lowering

Underpinning extends a foundation deeper, either to support a building whose footings are inadequate or to lower a basement floor for more headroom. It is structural work on the part of the building that holds everything up, so it is tightly regulated in New York City.

Underpinning requires drawings from a licensed professional engineer, a Department of Buildings permit, and work done in a controlled sequence with inspections. It can also affect neighbouring buildings, which brings its own notification and protection requirements. We do not start this work without those in place.

If you are considering underpinning or lowering a basement, call us early. We can walk the site, explain what the process involves and work with your engineer, or connect you with one, before any digging begins.

What’s included

• Site walk and early guidance
• Work performed to a licensed engineer's design
• DOB permit and inspections in place before work begins
• Sequenced excavation and new footings
• New slab and finishing as specified

Where we do this work

All five boroughs: Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island.

Frequently asked questions