Basement Dig Outs & Lowering Floors Portland OR

Free Estimates
Over 40 Years of Experience
Superior Customer Service

Transform your home basement into functional living space with professional basement dig out services from Foundations First Northwest. We specialize in lowering basement floors and creating additional headroom in your house basement through proven underpinning and benching methods. Serving Portland, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, and surrounding areas, we provide expert foundation repair services that expand your home’s usable square footage.

Whether you need more height for a finished basement or want to convert a cramped crawl space into a full basement, our basement lowering services deliver safe, permanent solutions. We combine foundation repair expertise with concrete footing foundation work to create the additional space your home with basement deserves.

Basement dig outs involve excavating and lowering your existing basement floor to create more headroom and usable space. This foundation repair service transforms low-ceiling basements into comfortable living areas by deepening the foundation and extending concrete footings and foundations. Many older Portland-area homes have shallow basements that limit functionality—our basement lowering services solve this problem.

The process requires expert knowledge of concrete footing foundation systems, soil conditions, and structural engineering. Our foundation repair services ensure your home basement remains structurally sound while gaining valuable height. Most basement dig outs add 12 to 36 inches of headroom, creating space suitable for finished living areas, home offices, or recreational rooms.

Common Reasons for Basement Dig Outs:

• Insufficient ceiling height in existing basement
• Converting crawl space to full basement
• Creating code-compliant ceiling heights
• Adding value to home with basement improvements
• Preparing for basement finishing projects
• Increasing storage or living space

Underpinning is the primary technique for lowering basement floors while maintaining structural integrity. This foundation repair method involves excavating beneath existing concrete footings and foundations in a carefully staged sequence, then extending the foundation deeper into stable soil.

How Underpinning Works

Our foundation repair services use proven underpinning techniques developed over 40 years of experience:

Step 1: Assessment and Planning We evaluate your home basement structure, soil conditions, and concrete footing foundation system. Our team determines excavation depth and creates a detailed underpinning plan.

Step 2: Staged Excavation We dig 3-foot-wide sections beneath the existing footing concrete in a carefully planned sequence. Each section is separated by at least 6 feet of undisturbed soil to maintain structural support during the process.

Step 3: Foundation Extension After excavating each section, we pour new concrete footings and foundations that extend the foundation system to a lower level. This creates a deeper, stronger concrete footing foundation.

Step 4: Sequential Completion Once concrete cures in the first sections, we move to adjacent areas. This staged approach ensures your house basement remains structurally sound throughout the entire basement dig out process.

Step 5: Interior Excavation After extending all footings, we safely excavate the interior basement floor. The extended concrete footings and foundations now support the entire structure at the new, lower level.

Benefits of Underpinning:

• Suitable for maximum depth increases (up to 36 inches)
• Maintains full structural integrity
• Permanent foundation repair solution
• Allows for significant headroom gains
• Safe for all home basement types

Benching provides a cost-effective alternative for moderate basement floor lowering projects. This foundation repair technique creates a stable soil slope while maintaining support for existing concrete footings and foundations.

How Benching Works

The benching process is less invasive than full underpinning while still delivering additional headroom in your home basement:

• Slope Creation We excavate the interior basement floor at an angle, maintaining a stable soil slope from the lowered floor level to the underside of existing footing concrete. This slope prevents undermining the foundation.
• Concrete Bench Installation A steel-reinforced concrete bench is poured on top of the soil slope, protecting it and ensuring long-term stability. This bench runs along the interior perimeter of your house basement.
• Floor Finishing The central basement area is excavated to the desired depth, with the concrete bench providing structural support and a finished transition between the foundation walls and new floor level.

Benching Limitations:

• Generally limited to 12-inch depth increases
• Creates a perimeter bench that reduces floor space slightly
• Not suitable for deeper excavations
• Best for homes with adequate existing footing depth

Benching Advantages:

• More affordable than full underpinning
• Faster installation timeline
• Less structural intervention required
• Suitable for minor headroom improvements
• Good option for budget-conscious projects

1. Free Consultation and Estimate Schedule a free basement dig out consultation. Our foundation repair experts evaluate your home basement, measure existing heights, assess soil conditions, and examine concrete footings and foundations. We provide detailed estimates for both underpinning and benching methods.
2. Structural Engineering For significant basement lowering projects, we coordinate structural engineering assessments. This ensures your foundation repair meets all building codes and maintains structural integrity.
3. Permits and Planning We handle all permitting requirements for basement dig outs in Portland, Lake Oswego, and Wilsonville. Our foundation repair services include complete documentation and code compliance.
4. Excavation and Foundation Work Using the selected method (underpinning or benching), we carefully lower your basement floor while protecting existing concrete footing foundation systems. Our experienced crews minimize disruption and maintain safety throughout the process.
5. Waterproofing Integration We integrate basement waterproofing during the dig out process. This includes drainage systems, moisture barriers, and proper grading to keep your home basement dry for years to come.
6. Floor Finishing After completing foundation repair work, we pour a new concrete basement floor at the lowered level. This creates a smooth, level surface ready for your chosen basement flooring.

Typical Timeline:

• Small benching projects: 1-2 weeks
• Standard underpinning: 3-4 weeks
• Large underpinning projects: 4-6 weeks
• Timelines vary based on basement size, soil conditions, and complexity

After completing basement dig out work, your home basement is ready for finishing. The additional headroom creates comfortable living space perfect for:

Living Areas: With proper ceiling height, your house basement can accommodate family rooms, entertainment areas, or home theaters. Most building codes require 7-foot minimum ceiling heights for habitable spaces—our basement lowering services ensure compliance.

Home Offices and Studios: Create dedicated workspace with comfortable proportions. Proper headroom eliminates the cramped feeling of low-ceiling basements.

Guest Suites and Bedrooms: Additional basement height allows for code-compliant bedrooms with egress windows and proper ceiling clearances.

Recommended Flooring for Basement

After basement dig outs, choosing appropriate flooring protects your investment:

Good Flooring for Basement Options:

• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): Waterproof, durable, and comfortable underfoot
• Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: Moisture-resistant and long-lasting
• Epoxy Coatings: Seamless, waterproof, and easy to maintain
• Engineered Hardwood: Stable in basement environments with proper moisture control
• Carpet Tiles: Easy to replace if moisture issues occur

Flooring Considerations: All recommended flooring for basement installation should include:

• Proper vapor barriers beneath flooring
• Adequate moisture testing before installation
• Coordination with waterproofing systems
• Professional installation for best results

Our foundation repair services include recommendations for good flooring for basement applications. We help you select materials that complement our waterproofing work and protect your newly expanded home basement.

• Increased Living Space Basement lowering transforms unusable crawl spaces or low-ceiling basements into functional living areas. Gain valuable square footage without home additions or major construction.
• Enhanced Property Value A home with basement space that meets modern ceiling height standards increases resale value significantly. Finished basements with proper headroom are major selling points.
• Code Compliance Our foundation repair services ensure your basement meets building codes for ceiling height, allowing legal conversion to living space. This is essential for basement finishing permits.
• Improved Functionality Comfortable ceiling heights eliminate the cramped, uncomfortable feeling of low basements. Your house basement becomes a space the family actually wants to use.
• Waterproofing Opportunity Basement dig outs provide the perfect opportunity to address moisture issues. We integrate comprehensive waterproofing into every project, protecting your investment for decades.
• Structural Improvements Our concrete footings and foundations work often strengthens existing structures. Many homes benefit from foundation repair improvements during basement lowering projects.

Ready to transform your cramped basement into functional living space? Contact Foundations First Northwest today for a free consultation. Our foundation repair experts will evaluate your home basement, explain underpinning and benching options, and provide detailed estimates.

Whether you need modest headroom improvements or complete basement lowering, we deliver expert foundation repair services backed by 40+ years of experience. Our concrete footings and foundations expertise ensures safe, permanent results.

Don’t let low ceilings limit your home’s potential. Basement dig outs create valuable space for living areas, offices, or recreational rooms. Our foundation repair services include waterproofing integration and preparation for finishing work.

Schedule your free consultation today. Discover how our foundation repair services can create the functional home basement you’ve always wanted. We explain both methods clearly, provide transparent pricing, and deliver quality workmanship backed by our 40+ years of experience.
Contact Foundations First Northwest for basement dig out services that expand your home’s livable space safely and permanently.