From the time prehistoric man began using stone tools in his daily life, making it yourself was a way of life. Over the centuries, as construction techniques developed to become more complex and simple tools became sophisticated machines, the job of hobby handymen became quite difficult. Typically, in an effort to cut costs on a home improvement project, the modern do-it-yourselfer has their hands full of building codes, user manuals, and building instructions. Having said that, most home improvement projects are not only doable, but can possibly be done better if you are diligent enough and prepared to put in the work. Other projects, however, are too complicated for the average construction enthusiast and should be left solely to professionals. Basement shoring is one such project.
What makes basement shoring different from other home improvement projects you ask? To answer that question in a nutshell, pretty much everything. There is nothing about downsizing your basement that is overwhelming. Taken separately, all aspects of the job are manageable and can be managed. Taken together, however, the process of lowering a base to gain additional headroom can become a headache.
Before you can start any manual work, you’ll need to obtain a building permit. The nature of the project is such that if done incorrectly you can end up losing your house entirely. This is because when a house is built, it is designed to resist the forces of nature acting on it. Beyond the walls of your basement is not only the soil, but also its pressure. If you start this project not knowing where to dig, how to dig, and how much to dig, pretty soon the foundation walls will slide under the main floor and your kitchen will be in the basement. To make sure your base can even shrink, you’ll need to hire an engineer. You can always shop around and find a good deal, or maybe you have a friend who can do the plans for you, however, most of the time a base contractor will be able to provide you with engineering services at a discounted price.
Once you have your building permit, you can get started. Oh wait, you don’t have any of the necessary equipment. Consider this, to dismantle your current concrete floor, you’ll need the following: a conveyor system, a dumpster or two or three, a power generator, and a jackhammer to hook it up. While not impossible to obtain, the rental rates for you will be much higher than a contractor, and the contractor you choose for basement shoring likely already has these tools in their inventory.
Getting the right tools is largely a matter of patience and organization. Once you have them, however, everything becomes much more serious. The tools you’ll be working with when lowering your basement are power tools, and yes, they’re powerful. Your DIY basement shoring project may fall apart for the simple reason that you can’t handle the jackhammer. However, we will give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, if you’re even thinking of attempting such an ambitious project on your own, it means you’re a maintenance expert with at least some construction knowledge.
Now that you have everything you need and know how to use all the tools, take a look at the process. This is the first time trying such a project. Knowledge of him is likely to be limited to books and, even more likely, the internet. If you’re lowering your basement by following the steps in a “How To” guide to shoring up your basement, you’re probably better off than if you were following advice on the Internet. Beware of depending on the success of your project on the unstable words found on the Internet; just like your base with insufficient resting angle, it can slide under you. The professionals who make a living supporting the basement know the ins and outs of their trade, have come face to face with various difficulties and have the knowledge to get out of them.
Finally, if the reasons above don’t quench your thirst for extraordinary home improvements, think about time. Most likely, you have a full-time job and are trying to do this project in your spare time. This simple fact will turn a week-long project into a month-long odyssey filled with rental fees and unexpected difficulties. There is nothing wrong with doing it yourself, but like everything in life, it should be approached in moderation.